I have a race that has a hill at the end of the race.?

Question

I need some tips and I'm in the junior high division. This is how it works at first you run down a hill then at the end I have to run uphill. How should I start and should I wear very light weight sunglasses? What should I do the night before? Also if someone just takes off at a hard pace how much room should I give him? When Should I sprint to catch up with him? This race is a 5k. Thanks a lot!!

Answer 1

First off, you have to know your running style. I am a late race runner and a hill climber. I would always let the other runners take off like "a bat out of h**l" and I'd stay back. I would usually catch them by the end. Some of my friends were those "bats". They took off and just tried to hang on. If you don't know what you are it would be best to hang back on your first race. Run on the shoulder of a runner. This means run to his side but a little back where you see his shoulder.

Or run close behind him where you can stare at his neck and see the course over his shoulder. It's called "riding him." If after about thirty seconds or so you feel like he is running to slow pass him and move up to the next runner. If he is too fast drop back to the next runner. Always try to pace the race with someone. Over time you will know your pace and race strategy.

As for the hill: Make sure you save some for it.

NEVER look up it. You can glance to see where you are but never stare up it. It will only defeat you. Take shorter and slightly quicker strides. Use those arms but tuck them in a bit. When you reach the top you will feel winded and feel like slowing down a bit to catch your breath---DON'T !!!!!

That fatigue only lasts a couple minutes. The top of the hill is where many people are caught or passed because they want that little breather.

As for glasses. It's up to you but make sure it's legal. some High School races don't allow sun glasses. I wore them all the time in non-high school race. I wasn't allowed in HS when I ran.

Night before: PASTA and a good sport movie. I uses to watch Hoosiers or Remember the titans. RELAX the night.

Good Luck.