7.2.1.2 Pace Run - Stage One
• Place a cone at the 100 metres mark on the track
• Group the athletes in pairs of similar ability and select an appropriate ‘pace schedule’ for each
pair. For example, one young athlete may have a personal best of 2 minutes 49 seconds for the
800 metres and the other may have a personal best of 2 minutes 53 seconds. It is advisable for
these young athletes to work to a ‘pace schedule’ of 2 minutes 48 seconds as this is nearest an
even pace schedule split below their personal best. If they are running at the right pace to
achieve 2 minutes 48 seconds they must reach the 100 metres cone in 21 seconds.
• Remind the athletes that it is
not a race
but an exercise in pace judgment and they should note
where they are in relation to the first cone when the whistle is blown to check their position.
• Using a run through start 10 metres back from the start line, start the stopwatch as the runners
pass the start line.
• Blow the whistle after 21 seconds and note the point reached.
• Each pair within the group takes its turn at its own ‘pace schedule’.
• When it is the turn of the first pair to run again, ensure that the young athletes have had an
adequate rest period. Before each group starts its next run, advise its members whether they
should increase or decrease their speed from the previous effort. This may take a complete
session to master but it is very important that they become consistent in the very early stages
of pace judgment training.
Sustained Activities
7
136
WEB COPY
©EVEQUE
WEB COPY
©EVEQUE
Too Slow
Correct
Too Quick
100m
200m
300m
Start
Coach
Coach
The coach may need to move into a position where he
or she can get a better view of the young athletes.
