RACING 101 - Smart Runners cashing in on knowledge of tangents

I was a spectator last Sunday at the Freehold Area Running Club’s St. Paddy’s Ten Mile. Because of the way the course is designed it is fairly easy to reach the three plus mile spot before the runners come through.

At the juncture where I was standing the runners came around a bend on the right side of the road. The road continued to curve to the left before straightening out for a sharp left hand turn. This is typical for most of the ten mile course that is on rural type roads that are not laid out straight, but follow the contours of the terrain.

It is on a course like this where a smart runner can gain an advantage. I have written about this before and hopefully the Daily Record readers have learned the lesson of tangent running. Elite runners know about tangents and at the ten mile race the first ten or 20 runners came around the bend on the right and headed straight for the juncture with the sharp left. They completely ignored the curve of the road as they sighted and ran the shortest route.

It was shocking how few there were of those smart runners in the race. Once those in the lead had passed, the bulk of runners came around the bend as a mass, filling the road from side to side. Instead of running in a straight line many stayed to the left hugging the shoulder and running much longer than was necessary.

When out for a training run, when traffic is zooming by, the left side of the road is the correct place to be. In a road race that is closed to traffic, runners may and should run in the road, going from side to side as dictated by what they see as a straight line to the next curve or turn in the road.

The Newark Distance Classic that was held earlier this month has a course that favors the tangent runners. Much of the course is in Branch Brook Park with scenic park roads with lovely curves. Lovely in this instance for tangent runners to overtake rivals who are following the curves in the road.

The park roads are used again at the Cherry Blossom 10K that is scheduled for April 9th. Be smart and run it straight!

CHERRY BLOSSOM ADDRESS CHANGE

Early print versions of the application for the Cherry Blossom 10K, which is the USATF-NJ Open Women’s Championship, have an incorrect mailing address. The correct address is 125 Fairview Avenue, Building #12, Cedar Grove, NJ 07009.

ONLY ONE LOCAL RACE NEXT WEEKEND

The Loschiavo Run in Mount Olive is the only race next weekend in this area. It will take place from Mount Olive high school on Saturday, April 1st at 10:00 a.m. But the first weekend of April does have plenty of racing outside the area. One of my favorites is the Indian Trails 15K in Middletown on Sunday, April 2nd. With its extreme hills it has to be the most challenging race in the state, and also the most fun if you are a good downhill runner. The last downhill drops from the highest point in the race, and comes after a grueling uphill, but the flight down is exhilarating and worth the climb. For grand prix racers, the Indian Trails is one to put in the bank, so to speak, since there are so few Category Three races this year.

TURN CLOCK TO DAYLIGHT TIME SATURDAY NIGHT

If you are planning to run in any of the Sunday, April 1st races, don’t forget that we go to Daylight Savings Time on Saturday night. If you don’t change your clock you could find yourself halfway to the race before you realize that you are running very, very late.

SPECIALTY RUNNING STORE WINS AWARD

The Sneaker Factory in Millburn was selected as the New Jersey Runner’s World Runner’s Choice Award Winner for 2006, for the top specialty running store in the state. In addition to the Sneaker Factory, in this area is another excellent specialty store in Randolph – Runner’s Haven on Route 10 East. Specialty stores offer what the mall stores cannot; personnel who are runners and who know how to find the right shoe and clothing for each runner’s individual needs. You cannot get that at the mall stores nor through mail order.

Published in the DAILY RECORD of Morris County, New Jersey on Sunday, March 26, 2006

Copyright, Madeline Bost, 2006