Racing Tactics
Tactics are a very important tool in winning races. Often, races will have many athletes of similar standard and ability competing against each other. The deciding factor in who crosses the line first in these races often comes down to the person who has the better tactics. When formulating race tactics, the athlete should be aware of the strengths and weaknesses of his or her opponents. Points to consider when planning tactics are
- Who has the fast finishing speed?
- Who likes to make a long burst to the finish?
- Who likes a fast pace throughout the race?
- Which runners like to break away from the pack early and build up a big lead?
- Which runners are comfortable when they are leading, however, get discouraged when overtaken?
- Which runners like to tuck in the pack and wait until the very last moment before making his move to the front?
- Who is fit and running well and who is not?
All the above factors should play an important part in how an athlete plans his race tactics. Beyond that, however, an athlete's first priority is to make sure that he or she is in their best physical condition. After which point, the athlete should be honest and critical about his or her strengths and weaknesses. If the runner does not have a fast finish he or she should always try to break away from the fast finishers early on in the race. This can be done by gradually increasing the pace or by a series of fast bursts. A gradual increase in pace will normally take the edge off fast finishers towards the end of the race. Fast bursts are usually more damaging when they are injected into an already fast pace. They are also more dangerous when they are done unexpectedly and at varying lengths and intensities.
Those who opt for the fast finish to a race must make sure that they stay in contact with the leaders. Then when the finishing line approaches the runner must be decisive in the final burst and time it so that the runner reaches the line with the maximum amount of energy used. This burst should be decisive enough not to give his competition time to retaliate. The athlete should always try to force his rivals into situations which make them feel uncomfortable. For example, not letting a front runner run in the front will often cramp that person's style and make them run below par. Similarly, forcing a runner who likes to hang back in the pack to run in the front often disturbs that runner's style.
If an athlete is attempting, on the other hand, to run a personal best time for a certain distance, in a race with superior athletes, one is advised to run at an even pace. Running at an even pace is the most efficient way of running a race and the easiest in trying to run personal best times. The athlete should, however, resist the temptation of running too fast at the beginning of the race in order to run evenly throughout. Often, the athlete will find if he or she sticks to this schedule and be on target momentum will enable the runner to finish stronger and below the set goal.
