to win or not to win
A week ago The Wall Street Journal ran an article about How to Win a Marathon. It wasn't about running. It went on at length about amateur athletes using the internet to scope out competition at various races, by studying past attendance and results. When they find one where the field is small, with next to none participants in their age group, they can sign up and, if not win, at least place.
Train less. Instead peruse for a few hours Athlinks.com. Take a triathlon in the Bahamas, attended by six other people. Win. Do not divulge the details to your admiring fans.
Hmmm. I spent some time trying to fathom if in their innermost heart they really believe they won this race or another.
Could not figure this one out, so instead I signed up for a little July 4th 8K. An odd number, I guess they made it into a race since it approximates five miles. I do not know how many people are going to be there, and I don’t care. It’s not in the Bahamas, just further up north on my street and around the corner. I will not place, but I will run. Good enough for me, at least as far as next week goes.
posted by runliarun @ 8:04 AM
13 Comments:
Weird that people would actually research the smallest races so that they could win/place! I guess it's easier than training. :)
I had the pleasure of being the first woman to finish the 10K in a small race in my town. I know it was because hardly anyone was there (only 3 women!), but it was a pretty cool moment. I know it will never happen again, so I truly enjoyed my post-race glory. ;)
Good luck with your 8K!
I'm sorry, but that's just STUPID! Who wants to run or tri in a race with only 2 or 3 people in your age group. I would rather (and did) run with 15000 people and not have a prayer!
I wish Atlanta had more odd number races, like an 8K and 15K distance. Those are good for a change!!
I feel like running should be about the endeavor and not about the finish line, but then maybe that's my "notreallyarunner" perspective!
Smaller races just mean I have more chance to finish last. I like bigger events, more chance of having folks behind me!! LOL.
Oh, Lia! You're featured on the link for that 4th of July race from last year. Coolness!!
If you held a race and one person showed up and finish the race would he/she be the winner? I guess, but would you use this as stats? I've been in a few races where there was only one female, all she had to do was finish to win!
Good luck on the July 4th 8K!!!
I'm taking the easy way out and only running a 4 miler on the 4th. This way they can have the catchy title, "Four on the Fourth."
Chances are I won't place, but it's not a small race, but not big either.
Good enough is right. :)
Though I'd like to use the "excuse" of a race to go to the Bahamas.
Have fun with your 8K. I love running 4th of July races. Seems like that's the only race I only really run.
that is a rather interesting race tactic. I'd rather just go, do my best and enjoy the day.
Have a great 4th and 8K.
Good luck for your 8K.
Where the field is small, with next to none participants in my age group: Yesssss I did it in the spring of 2006 and I won a lot of prizes! Bounty hunter time!
You know wat is enough.
Keep up the good works.
R2B
I think everyone should do that at least once. What's wrong with tasting victory sometimes? I've used that strategy a couple of times and it didn't lessen the thrill of winning. It's a guilty pleasure.
I've recently heard of that theory from a couple of different sources.
One of the only times that I didn't finish dead last in my age group was for the OKC HM and there were several thousand total running there.
I don't think I would take the time to do the research for a small race...sounds like more opportunity to maybe get lost, and I"m sure with smaller races the crowds are proportionately smaller too so who would be there to see you and cheer....sounds boring.
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