Hi All,
I'm a complete fell novice and only marginally more experienced in running/racing more generally. I've done a number of 'trail' races (EnduranceLife coastal series - 10k) and have started to place fairly well in them this year. I've started competing (well, taking part at least) in the South Wales Winter Hill Series and am finding it really difficult to pace the races.
In the trail races (and other stuff - Park Run 5k (PB 19:18), the odd flat 10k race (PB 39:43)) I've been getting by on basically running as fast as I can and hanging on in there. Suffice to say this 'strategy' (if it can be called that!) has not been working out on the Hills. Basically, I'm getting caught up in the initial run from the line as I feel pretty good and am at a 'trail race pace' that I could sustain. By the time the hill comes I'm leaking places like anything. This was particularly bad at Tor Y Foel at the weekend and, although like usual I regained a couple of places when things got on the level again, I was pretty p#ssed off (with myself) by the finish line.
So, I'm wondering if pacing myself from the off and saving it for the 'lumpy bits' is the right thing to do - would I end up even further behind as I'm not making the most of the only (slight) strength have at present - speed on the flat? I'm going to give a more steady pacing a go in the next race but, for now, is the answer a) man up, eat more Weetabix and get out on the hills more b) a better pacing strategy c) continue to just run as fast as I can and learn to live with it.
Any advice very much appreciated.
Rob
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