Most world records in distance events are set by running the second half of the race faster than the first; this is known as negative splits. Knowing this is not enough to make us change our ways, the majority of us do not plan on picking it up in the later miles, perhaps we can't mentally handle this concept.

 

A common plan is to go out a bit quicker because we are most likely going to slow down later, putting money in the bank ... so to speak. The truth is, with this strategy there is always a run on the bank late in the race that robs us of every second we've saved ... and then some.  Any miles we put in early at a pace faster than we hope to average for the event are a mistake, even though the pace may seem easy, the damage is being done. Don't you just hate this kind of logic? Dang.

 

Our next race strategy? To feel as good as we can as long 

 

as we can, as opposed to feeling as bad as we can as quick as can, shortening  the painful part of the race and running a faster time! What a novel idea!

 

Run smart,

 

Randy Step, an obsessed runner, who at times, still finds myself running like a Freshman.