Racing Tactics for Long Distance Runners

Crosscountry Running Tips

When I was in High School and College, I ran Cross-Country and Track. Almost immediately, I fell in love with distance running. In High School, I ran the 2mile run and sometimes the mile. Today it is the 1600 and 3200 meter runs. Cross- Country for High School was between 2 and 3 miles.

College races for Cross-Country would vary between 4 and 6 miles. Today they are called 5 and 10 K runs.

In college, I was fortunate enough to run in two NCAA Division II Championships. I guess you could say that it was the highlight of my successful career as a runner. Many people keep on running once their racing days are over. However, when I didn't have the opportunity to race at the highest level that I could, I decided to move on.

A good long distance runner has to be in top condition. They also have to run intelligently. Remember only one person will be the overall winner of a race. The more individuals involved, the less chance of that happening for you. However, a good long distance runner can still achieve a lot of success if they use good sound racing tactics.

Know the Course; Any good runner is going to know and understand the course. If it is a track, what type of surface is it? Are there any soft spots? Which way does the wind come in? Knowing the answers to these questions can be a big advantage to those on a track.

If you are on a road or cross-country course, ask these questions to yourself. Where are the hills located? Are there any major obstacles in my way? where is the best and safest place to pass an individual? Are there any slippery places? Could spectators be a problem? Are there any water stops and where are they located? What is the start and finish areas like? Again knowing the answers to this questions can help you in your tactics.

Know the Competition; Who are the rabbits? They are the ones that start too quickly. Who are the ones that have an exaggerated elbow swing? They can unintentionally hurt someone. Who saves it for the final 200 meters of the race? They have the strongest kicks. Who are the ones likely to be the favorites? Are their any handicapped individuals to look out for?