RACING STRATEGY

Today at practice the coaches spoke with some of you about race strategy in our upcoming race versus Plymouth North.  But ALL of you can take advantage of simple strategic moves during a race to improve your results and your order of finish.  Some techniques follow:

1) Run the tangents - the shortest distance through the race route. In any race, running the tangents can shave several seconds from your time. The key is to look up and be aware of what's ahead. Don't snake your way along the centerline of the course.  Instead, run a straight line from inside corner to inside corner using the entire running route to run the shortest distance possible. A little awareness of the course as you race it can be very beneficial to your final time. 

2) Pass with authority - When passing a competitor in any race, don't just ease by them; fly by them! Make them think you're running so well that there's no need to try to stay with you. You'll crush their spirit and thereby gain more advantage than just the distance between the two of you. You even want to sneak up on them by hanging back a few strides to recover before you attack.

3) Pass wide - Along with passing with authority, swings wide as you pass, especially on straightaways where moving to one side doesn't take extra distance. Every runner is taught to latch on when being passed but latching on to someone on the other side of the road is hard to do, and often they don't even give chase. Don't look at them -- just go hard and get a gap.

4) Surge early and often -  Don't be afraid to throw in a surge early in the race to get a gap on a competitor. Then, throw in another surge shortly after the first one. The gap you get may be all you need to beat your rival.

5) Sneak a peek - In a tight race where victory is on the line, it's important to know how your competitors are doing. But, you don't want to look back as they may see this as a sign that you're tired. Instead, sneak a peek as you round corners. Don't turn your head much but just turn slightly to catch a quick glance behind. Your competitors will never be the wiser but you'll get valuable information that can help you with your tactics for the remainder of the race.

7) Surge on corners - Corners are a great place to gain an advantage. Most runners slow as they take turns. Capitalize on this by surging into, through and out of every corner. This can help you get a few steps on a competitor, which may make the difference in the finish. Keep your cadence fast and your stride short and simply blast through the corners. It forces your competitors to have to change gears to catch you and when they're tired, changing gears is the last thing they want to do. Work on surging through corners in practice so it becomes second nature in races.

8) Surge at the top and bottom of each hill - A common (and appropriate) strategy is to surge over the top of the hill while your rivals relax and slow. It's also a great idea to surge at the bottom of every hill. Many runners relax at the bottom of hills. It's only natural as you return to your flat running pace and rhythm. Savvy racers, however, take advantage of this by carrying the downhill momentum onto the flat and surging at the bottom of the hill. It takes your competitors by surprise and gives you an advantage, and the lead.