by Ujena Fit Club Coach Barry Anderson  Nearly every one has heard the phrase; “The shortest distance between two points is a straight line.”—and that applies to your racing as well. Though not a road race, one of the most talked about distance races in Olympic history was the 5000 meter final in 1972. This was a race that featured, among others; Finland’s Lasse Viren and one of America’s best know distance runners of all time, Steve Prefontaine.

By most estimations, it is believed that Prefontaine ran as much as 40 meters further than Viren during the race by running to the outside of lane one, or in lane 2 or 3, during most of the turns. Viren won the race over Prefontaine (who finished 4th) by 2 seconds—or approximately 10-15 meters. No one will ever know if the extra 40 meters would have made a difference in the outcome of the race as Viren was one of the great distance racers and tacticians of all time—but why give your competitors or the clock an edge.

Though it is not always possible, try to keep to the inside on all turns. For “S” type turns or winding roads keep to the inside of the first turn (point 1) then look ahead to the inside of the second turn (point 2) and run directly to that point in a straight line. It will save you a few yards each time you do and may make a difference of several seconds in your total race time.

 Barry Anderson was the women’s track coach for 10 years at Kansas State University. He was responsible for organizing and hosting the first women’s Big 8 conference championship, and coached over 30 athletes that earned All-American status. These athletes included All-Americans in cross country and in track events from the 880 yard run through the 2 mile. 

Barry also participated in track and cross country as a middle distance and distance runner. This included competitive racing at the AAU club level beginning at age 13 and continued through high school, with five state championship top 5 finishes, and earned two letters in his college career.

I see a lot of runners not doing this. It is a simple thought but a good one. Just think about how many extra yards you would run in a marathon with a lot of turns...
Bob Anderson 5/3/12 10:52 am

Right Bob, and I saw lots of folks at Rock The Parkway just staying in their lanes like the car traffic would do, not finding the tangents--I knew you were not one of them as you sped to the finish the straightest possible. Barry, I try to practice your technique ON THE WAY TO THE RACE, if not too much traffic--is that appropriate?
Bruce Gilbert 5/3/12 2:18 pm

As long as you don't get caught Bruce. As I remember, Ward Parkway is kind of a winding road so this may have been a good tip for that race...even through it is pretty simple. I have also seen it work well in track meets on staggered starts. You are running well—keep it going.
Barry Anderson 5/3/12 6:59 pm

If Pre did as you say I doubt he would have won but he might have nabbed that Bronze he lost is the last few meters. Viren was the better runner that day.
Richard Stiller 5/4/12 8:06 am

I totally agree Richard...the bronze maybe but not the gold or silver. Viren was the best runner and racer on that day and 4 years later. Much faster than people have given him credit for. He could really put the hammer down for a long push to the finish and would consistently run 1:55-1:57 for the last 800...even in the 10k. Think he may have also placed 5th in the 76 Olympic marathon...good range.
Barry Anderson 5/4/12 9:43 am

The timing of this article was so perfect. There were a lot of turns in the Ave of the Giants half marathon on Sunday. Most runners did not follow this advice, I did. I know it helped. My question, how do they measure a certified course?
Bob Anderson 5/7/12 9:48 am

I believe they measure the shortest distance that you could realistically run it without other runners to contend with. So many folks seemed zoned out and are just staying in a particular lane--maybe they think it would be rude to cut across, and it is rude if you are cutting off other runners to do it.
Bruce Gilbert 5/7/12 9:54 am

Pre would have had to shift to the 10k. He might have medalled there but not in the 5k. That turned out to be a kickers race which Viren won. But it was a near thing by his own admission.
Richard Stiller 5/7/12 1:29 pm

From what I understand viren was the master at being precisely at his best fitness for the biggest races. Ahead of his time. And about the ave course, ken young certified it. He rides a calibrated bicycle (with people on radios on either side of the turn) in just the manner that barry described. From the way ken talks every course measurer SHOULD be doing it the same way.
Daniel Huddleston 5/8/12 8:03 pm

I measured courses for the TAC and the Pacific Association and we used a calibrated cycle. It was a burden as far as time was concerned but we knew the courses were accurate. I don't believe Garmins and G-Mapping is as accurate.
Richard Stiller 5/8/12 8:42 pm

Ken Young was a master at making sure the course was spot on...
Bob Anderson 5/8/12 10:45 pm

Only one change to your comment, Bob, "was" should be "is". :) What Ken did for course standardization and record keeping is about on-par with what you did in expanding the knowledge base of running.
Daniel Huddleston 5/9/12 7:36 am

Totally agree...
Bob Anderson 5/9/12 8:32 pm

Log In To Comment

Probably not a secret, but...having heard two recent stories about runners taking bad falls on the trails I suggest wearing some type of hand protection -- i.e. gloves -- on all trail runs. The first woman, who will remain nameless, was heading out on a trail run with her husband. Within 100 feet of the car, which was parked at the trail head (actually, this was a U.S. Forest Service 4WD access road leading to a variety of trails), she took a tumble. Her hand and elbow took the brunt of the fall, and she also twisted her ankle. No gloves. Interestingly enough, this woman is a massage therapist. I spent some time talking to her and said, "Gloves are the word of the day. You rely on your hands for your business, protecting them is a good idea."

The second incident was relayed to me by a friend. This fellow was running a trail race, slipped and fell and sliced a chunk of skin off his palm. He finished the race, but I can tell you he was sore. My suggestion to all trail runners is to wear gloves on the trail. One of my friends wears the cycling type glove which includes some padding on the palm. I personally prefer a full glove. My fingers are important to me as well as the rest of the skin on my hands. I have taken many a fall myself and my glove have often saved me from nettles, burrs, scrapes, cactus points, gravel, etc.

Sometimes I just run in a jog bra and shorts, but I still wear my gloves on the trails. Like our first example, even seemingly flat and non-technical terrain can have an errant rock, or tree root to cause a tumble. I also like wearing gloves because they can act as a tissue for a drippy nose, or protect your hands from swelling with temperature variations (this happens a lot to me). Happy trails!

Nancy Hobbs is one of the key reasons why Trail running has exploded.  Just 20 years ago there were less than 400 events and now there is close to 2000.  Read her Ujena Fit Club Interview.  Nancy will be regularly sharing your advice with us.

I wear cycling gloves on trails.
Richard Stiller 5/1/12 1:03 pm

Log In To Comment