I've noticed that the first mile is horrible and constantly speeds up from there. While it could be because there are 14,000 runners on the field it can also be caused by runners by the wrong marker at the race.
You see when you line up, the fast people are at the front and the slow people are at the back. Every so often there is a person holding a sign with a number on it: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12+. Those signs mark how many minutes it takes you to run a mile.
I am usually around the 10 or 11 depending on the distance of the race. With my late start this year in preparing, I started out the Sunburst 5K at the 12 marker because I had ran just under a 12 minute mile average.
This year I was peeved. It seemed like everyone was just putzing along running in groups and there was no room to pass. I mean these people were slow. And runners like to complain about slow runners starting out in the wrong spot and holding them up... Like I just did.
When I finished, I looked at my log in mapmyrun to find out I had run each mile faster than the previous mile. It was crazy. I always try to keep an even pace so I don't wear out.
The other part of the problem is that I ran a 10:46 mile average according to the chip in my bib. That is a lot faster than 12. It does feel better to pass than to be passed, that is for sure. So, part of the reason everyone was in my way was because I had started the race out a little too far back in the crowd. I should have been at the 11 sign. My bad.
Since this is normal (starting line being crowded) in race events, I have decided to make my first mile my slower mile and gradually build a little speed. Hopefully this will help out on race day since I won't be anywhere near the front, at least not in the foreseeable future.
So I practiced it this morning and it went ok. Not as well as I had hoped, but not bad. The weather was perfect... A little cooler and no humidity.
Yes, I said morning. It's the only time that doesn't take away from family... Except that I need to go to bed early. Plus we've had VBS at church all week and it would be hard to come home at 9p and go running into the night.
So, what do you think of making your first mile the slowest mile? Let me know in the comments!
Weekly Weigh-In: 246
Today's run, with splits:
I've read a lot on running half marathons etc. and a lot of people recommend starting out slow the first two miles, slower than your expected race pace. I guess a running an endurance race is different than a sprint race like a 5K. I personally sometimes have a hard time starting slow bc I usually feel good the first few miles but it's supposed to help you save energy for the end so you don't kill yourself. And it always feels good to finish strong.
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