Race Tactics

Using smart thinking in your races can often help you shave seconds off your time. An interesting article from Running Times talks about using a few simple tactics to increase your racing success. While the context for the article is running, they can be applied in a variety of sporting environments.

• Run the tangents. Be aware of the race route and choose the most efficient line to shave off a few seconds. The shortest distance on a curving road, is to travel from inside corner to inside corner.

• Pass with authority. Don’t just ease by a competitor, fly by them and make them question their own physical state.

• Pass wide. Passing wide on a straight stretch of the route prevents other racers from latching on to your surge without adding too much in the way of distance.

• Surging early and often. Don’t be afraid to surge early in a race to create gaps, quite often they are maintained throughout the race. Throw in another surge shortly after the first one, the gap you make may well be enough to get you permanently ahead.

• Sneak a peek. While you shouldn’t be looking back at your competitors (it may be seen as a sign of tiredness), sneaking a peek with a quick glance while going around corners should give you valuable information while leaving your competitors unaware.

• Steal their move. If you sense a competitor is about to make their move, “steal” it and do it first making them respond. Taking control of the move takes the impetus away from them.

• Surge on corners. A great place to take advantage, surging through corners when most slow down to negotiate them forces your competitors to change gears to catch up. Just keep your cadence fast and your stride short.

• Surge at the top and bottom of every hill. Many runners slow down over the crest of a hill and slow down at the bottom, take advantage of this surging over the top of the hill and carrying your momentum at the bottom to surge through the flat.

Thinking through your strategic moves can give you many advantages in your race technique. So remember to train your mind as well as your body for your next race.

Order the full article from SIRC: McMillan, Greg (2009). Shaving Seconds & Rousting Rivals. Running Times (372), 18.