tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115955661375211752.post5189276582118886749..comments2024-03-28T07:20:07.550+00:00Comments on UltraStu - Millsy's Memories and Mutterings about Trail Running: Pacing - Still a Mystery!UltraStuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16637489358497153536noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115955661375211752.post-59240450508566722192013-04-08T15:38:08.380+01:002013-04-08T15:38:08.380+01:00It has occurred to me that a substantial flaw in t...It has occurred to me that a substantial flaw in trying to reading too much about pacing w.r.t once race and individual runners is that it's a race, and with an ultra often the winner might be decided by critical moves in the second half that change the dynamic. <br /><br />Once a leader has shown that they are untouchable challengers may back off because they feel it's not worth chasing. <br /><br />Also the leader may back off if they feel there lead is safe and either back off because they don't feel threatened, or that rather than risk blowing up and keep on pushing hard they ease back and keep something in reserve.<br /><br />This dynamic of chasing/pushing ahead/easing off due to position relative to other runners dramatically effects the pacing, and may go along way to explaining the variations between laps and competitors.<br /><br />Runners that are chasing PB's or course records are more likely to run a more even race and push right to the end. In these cases I'd expect a faster finish. <br /><br />If you want to analyse relative merits of pacing strategies from races then I believe it's crucial to look for those chasing PB or course records rather than those running tactically. Even within this group you'd still see affects on pace if the runners knows that they are going to miss their target, or comfortably exceed it.<br /><br />The aspect of pacing and race tactics is also an interesting area, this provides quite different motivation for pacing. <br /><br />So... I would suggest having another look at the data, look to spot the runners that ran more evenly and less affected by the pace of others i.e. their were running their own race and likely with specific finishing time/PB in mind, these runners would likely provide a better base for your analysis of best pacing strategies.Robert Osfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16960356368117573952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115955661375211752.post-83456491009477248132013-04-08T02:08:18.095+01:002013-04-08T02:08:18.095+01:00Nice one Millsy - enjoyed your analysis. Mike VNice one Millsy - enjoyed your analysis. Mike VAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115955661375211752.post-5391191466254557372013-04-06T22:46:34.725+01:002013-04-06T22:46:34.725+01:00Sorry to harp on about the negative split thing, I...Sorry to harp on about the negative split thing, I should have been clearer in my first comment. I meant that I hadn't met anyone who had stated a goal of running a negative split in a marathon. It seems an odd thing to aim to do. "I'd like to run the second half of a race more quickly than the first." Really? No, really really? <br /><br />I've heard lots of Marathon Talkers really pleased with doing it and I'm pleased myself to finish any race strongly. Mainly people have a time goal whether that's 4:59:59 or sub-2:30 and they state it in those terms. Even pacing seems sensible in flat races at least even though I quite like the idea of "go as fast as you can for as long as you can" heroism. I'll try it once and see what happens. Dying on your arse towards the end of a race is a familiar feeling for all of us at some point. Might as well do it good and proper. Richard Lylehttp://www.richardlyle.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115955661375211752.post-6570220670160828062013-04-06T16:57:12.597+01:002013-04-06T16:57:12.597+01:00My analysis of a couple of years of Highland Fling...My analysis of a couple of years of Highland Fling splits last year showed that faster runners on average ran slowed less in the second half. There was a great deal of variation though, just as you found with your analysis. <br /><br />Curiously your splits were pretty even compared to the average, so even with your strategy of going out fast you still slowed less than the average runner. However, compared to other elites your splits suggested more than typical slowing. If you look at your blog article on your previous Flings your HR trace showed that your physical effort level in the second half was less than your first half, and your faster time had you slow less in the second half and had a more even HR split too. Taking this evidence together it points to you going out to fast and unable maintain the intensity level.<br /><br />To tease apart the mystery of pacing I think it would be useful for you to look more deeply at the plethora of reasons that can cause a runner to slow excessively in the second half. The range of things that can go astray during an ultra are probably why the split variations can be so large. <br /><br />Getting everything right for the whole race is incredibly hard, perhaps part of being a good ultra runner is coping well when things don't go quite right.<br /><br />As for the drop in pace prior to a surge in pace in the last few miles of the results you have, my guess is that it's a lull before the second wind kicks in/last ditch effort commences. Whether this is conscious tactic or subconscious manifestation of the central governor at work I can't say but wouldn't be surprised if it's a bit of both. For instance stopping/slowing for a last feed/drink before the final push will be something that most runners do.<br /><br /><br /><br />Robert Osfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16960356368117573952noreply@blogger.com