ERROR #11 Going off too fast, too soon
SCHOOLGIRL ERRORS
WORDS: TINA CHANTREY / ILLUSTRATION: TEYO DAVISON-ROBLEDA
THE LESSON
Learning how important it is to get your pacing right, especially on race day.
THE TEACHER
Matt Buck, Salomon-sponsored ultrarunner, coach and adventurer.
We all do it, from first-time parkrun participants to experienced ultrarunners. Starting a race too fast is easy to do, but it can be both painful and disappointing when your PB slips out of reach before you’ve even hit the half-way mark.
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the day; adrenaline is pumping through your body and, despite having a rational mind, you cross the start line like Usain Bolt. This is where you need to be disciplined. If you go off too fast, it will ruin your race. By half way, you’ll feel like you can’t go any further. This will probably make you feel miserable. Not only that, you’ll kick yourself for making such a silly mistake (especially if you keep repeating it!).