Running Discussion

Learning pacing after going out too fast in every organized event

TJ tyra.7 OP

At organized 5K events I run the first kilometer as if I'm chasing a bus, then spend the last two wondering what happened to my legs. My training runs are much steadier. The crowd, watches beeping, and people passing me at the start make every sensible pacing plan vanish. For my next event I'm considering setting a deliberately slow first-kilometer alert and refusing to overtake anyone until halfway. What cue actually helped you stop racing the first five minutes?

  • running
  • pacing
  • going
  • fast
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  1. KS
    kait_sosa
    4 points

    3 replies

    I had to start with a pace alarm on my watch, and I made the first kilometer almost embarrassingly easy. If I felt smooth at the start, I wa...

    43 replies

    I had to start with a pace alarm on my watch, and I made the first kilometer almost embarrassingly easy. If I felt smooth at the start, I was usually going out too fast.

    4
    1. DF
      daniel_25
      3 points

      For me the cue was not passing anyone until after the halfway mark. It sounds silly, but having a rule beats trying to negotiate with myself while the gun is still echoing.

      3

        A slower first kilometer also helps if the crowd makes you surge. I like the idea of using other runners as a signal to stay calm rather tha...