Slowing down to speed up?

[mr brightside]

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.

I have this problem and i put it down to leg power. Half the people who beat me on steep runs would lose to me on a flatter course.

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

I don't bother to pace myself at all, but i only run on the short distance scene; i have run mediums at full throttle before, it just takes time to get accustomed. I started a thread called 'getting a good start' or something in which i debated the subject. I don't believe there is any point in saving energy in fell racing unless you are running over 10m.