 |
 |
 Search Cool Running Community |
quote:
Originally posted by OldXCguy:
Jim, thanks so much for your kind, encouraging words. I truly appreciate the support from you and others on here. I have indeed felt strong and fit, thanks largely to Tinman's coaching advice. It just seemed that until yesterday, I felt like I was lacking speed.
I fully realize that mentally composing a race report with a third of the race left is far from a good thing. Even though I felt comfortable and confident, one needs to remain focused in the present the whole way, something I had been doing well in my last few races until that little lapse. Luckily, I was able to snap back into a racing mindset before much damage was done.
I think it was the short course prevention factor that accounted for my slow last mile. My Garmin 305 was in complete agreement with the first two mile markers, so either both were off; or I slowed to a 6:40 pace on the third mile (allowing 40 seconds for the last .11), which I don't think is likely because I was still running pretty well; or most likely, it was the SPF. Both my Garmin, and a subsequent measuring on a mapping site produced readings of 3.15 miles. The extra .04 doesn't sound like much, but at my pace, it adds about 15 seconds.
I understand the science of measuring courses, how a Jones counter is calibrated, and then used for multiple trips over the course to cut every turn as tightly as possible. What I don't understand, and don't agree with, is how the science is then discarded and a fudge factor is added to be sure the course is not short. I understand the rationale, that race directors are afraid that if someone sets a record, and the course is subsequently found to be short, the record would be invalidated. But for every one person that sets a record, thousands of us (maybe tens of thousands) are denied the times to which we are entitled. Fifteen seconds would have made a big difference to anyone's times, especially those people in the 20:00-20:15 range.
Hey, excuse my rant, but I've been wanting to get that off my chest for a long time.
Your Garmin will likely show almost all races longer. The shortest 5K I've had on mine is 3.14. The longest is 3.19. Unless you are following the exact path (on a certified course) that they measured, then we will almost always have to run further than the actual distance.
For my 3 marathons, my Garmin has measured 26.65, 26.56, and 26.52. These are huge marathons where elites run, so they are most likely not that long by any stretch. I just take that into account and know that I have to run faster than the Garmin shows. 
quote:
Originally posted by chrisfield:
Broke 20 minutes today for the first time!!! You can read my full race report here:
http://www.coolrunning.com/forums/Forum8/HTML/010725.shtml[/URL" target="_blank">
This thread is great and has been very helpful.
Awesome job! 
Facebook
MySpace
YouTube
Twitter
