Kick or no kick?

[distancerulz]

It seems that there are many different race strategies and so on.
What are some strategies that you use within your "team"?
Pace setters? Kickers? hand signals?
Many people have discussed having a kick and winning with it as being weak. Others might consider it smart. Many feel that if you can hang with someone doing 5:10's in a 5k then hey whoever has the most left wins.
The thing that was brought up in the prefontaine movies was that at that level everyone you race is insanely fast. You usually can't pull weird stuff (run all out the first mile and hope they fade) and ever win. People are geared differently though and prefontaine was surely a freak of nature. I mean this in a good way with no disrespect R.I.P. He could take more punishment than anyone on the track.

[bdmiler2010]

It seems that there are many different race strategies and so on.
What are some strategies that you use within your "team"?
Pace setters? Kickers? hand signals?
Many people have discussed having a kick and winning with it as being weak. Others might consider it smart. Many feel that if you can hang with someone doing 5:10's in a 5k then hey whoever has the most left wins.
The thing that was brought up in the prefontaine movies was that at that level everyone you race is insanely fast. You usually can't pull weird stuff (run all out the first mile and hope they fade) and ever win. People are geared differently though and prefontaine was surely a freak of nature. I mean this in a good way with no disrespect R.I.P. He could take more punishment than anyone on the track.

well im always the pace setter for the team (which is basically faster than the rest of the team can go so i loose them in the first 400) but in races i like to lead...i feel more comfortable out front...ill set the pace slow and if ppl try to pass ill pick it up jut fast enouph that they dont feel comfortable taking over then try to make my move w/ about 1000 to go

edit: i have no kick(like a 100 or 200)

[Bathd23]

i respect that way of racing. alot of runners have that race style. i personally dont but i know im some races i do it and im going to have to develop it. im a sitter and a kicker. its the smart way to race. that method is viewed as a chicken shi*, puss*,bitc* way of running. its smart. you let them take it out. if they go out fast that method may not work. but if you always stick on their tail until the last 100 and its easier to win a race. people hate it though. i understand.

[Flash18]

i respect that way of racing. alot of runners have that race style. i personally dont but i know im some races i do it and im going to have to develop it. im a sitter and a kicker. its the smart way to race. that method is viewed as a chicken shi*, puss*,bitc* way of running. its smart. you let them take it out. if they go out fast that method may not work. but if you always stick on their tail until the last 100 and its easier to win a race. people hate it though. i understand.

Thats a pretty successful strategy. In outdoor, I would runmy first 200m of the 400 at around a 28-30 seconds and then sprint the last part. I know what you mean about people hatong that kind of running but it works so stick with whatever strategy suits you.

[Bathd23]

its easier for distance events. specially when the weather is really bad. its the smarter thing to do but sometimes you feel guilty. i really dont cuz i usually win cuz of that method.

[distancerulz]

for xc, the continual increase in pace until your competition drops out / loses sight of you can work quite well. You can break people this way. I have had it done to me and I have done it to others. If the leader makes a turn and goes into the woods (disappears) you might just be content with where you are. You could think that if that guy really wants it he can have it. Meanwhile the leader kinda lets up and regroups for the last half mile to use the kick if he needs it.