Race Recon: Secrets to a Great Race

You know that preparation is key to having a successful race. But did you know that one of the most important aspects of race preparation is doing your homework on the course itself? That’s right, the pros always make sure to do thorough race reconnaissance, or “recon,” before they toe the starting line. And there’s no reason why you can’t do the same!

In this article, we’ll explore the importance of race recon and share some strategies for researching your next race course. By the end, you’ll have all the tools you need to run your best race yet.

Why Race Recon Matters

So, why is race recon so important? Well, there are a few key reasons:

1. Familiarity breeds confidence. The more you know about the course, the more mentally prepared you’ll be on race day. You’ll have a better idea of what to expect in terms of terrain, elevation changes, and other course features, which can help ease pre-race jitters and boost your confidence.
2. No surprises. By doing your research ahead of time, you can avoid any unexpected challenges on race day. For example, if you know there’s a big hill at mile 20 of your marathon, you can adjust your pacing strategy accordingly and mentally prepare for the challenge.
3. Play to your strengths. Knowing the course can also help you develop a race strategy that plays to your strengths as a runner. If you’re a strong uphill runner, you might decide to push the pace on a hilly section of the course. Or if you struggle with tight turns, you can practice running them in training to improve your technique.

Now that we know why race recon is so important, let’s dive into some specific strategies you can use to research your next race course.

Recon Strategy 1: Run the Course

The best way to get to know a race course is to run it yourself. If you live near the race location or have the opportunity to visit before race day, try to run as much of the course as possible. This will give you a firsthand feel for the terrain, elevation changes, and any other unique features of the course.

If you can’t run the entire course, aim to at least run the last few miles. This will help you mentally prepare for how you’ll feel at the end of the race when you’re most fatigued.

Recon Strategy 2: Study Course Maps

If you can’t run the course in person, the next best thing is to study course maps and elevation profiles. Most races will have this information available on their website.

When looking at the course map, pay attention to:

• The start and finish locations
• Any major turns or landmarks
• The location of aid stations and porta-potties
• Any sections that look particularly challenging, such as hills or trail sections

When studying the elevation profile, make sure to note the scale of the chart. Some races may try to make the course look flatter than it is by adjusting the scale. Look at the actual elevation gain and loss numbers to get a true sense of the course’s hilliness.

Recon Strategy 3: Research Results

Another excellent way to gather intel on a race course is to look at past race results. Many races will have results from previous years available online, often with split times for different sections of the course.

Look for any sections of the course where runners tend to slow down or speed up significantly. Then, cross-reference those sections with the course map and elevation profile to try to understand why. Is there a big hill in that section? A long straightaway? Knowing this information can help you anticipate challenges and develop a pacing strategy.

It can also be helpful to compare your goal race time to past results on the same course. This can give you a sense of how the course might affect your performance compared to other races you’ve run.

Recon Strategy 4: Look for GPS Data

In addition to official race results, you can also look for GPS data from individual runners who have raced the course before. Websites like Strava allow runners to upload GPS data from their watches, which can provide even more detailed information about the course.

Look for data from runners who finished around your goal time, and pay attention to their mile splits and pacing trends. Did they start out fast and fade in the later miles? Did they negative split the course? This information can help you refine your own pacing strategy.

Recon Strategy 5: Read Race Reports

Finally, don’t forget to tap into the wealth of information available from other runners who have raced the course before. Search for blog posts, race reports, and forum discussions about the race. You can even look for video footage on platforms like YouTube.

Pay attention to any specific details runners share about the course, such as:

• Sections with particularly beautiful or challenging terrain
• Any issues with course markings or aid stations
• Tips for running tangents or navigating tricky sections of the course
• What the weather was like on race day and how it affected performance

The more information you can gather from other runners’ firsthand experiences, the better prepared you’ll be to run your best race.

Putting It All Together

Once you’ve gathered all this information about your goal race course, it’s time to put it into action. Here are a few key things to do with your newfound knowledge:

1. Visualize your race. Use the information you’ve gathered to create a mental picture of how you want your race to go. Imagine yourself running strong through the challenging sections and cruising to a strong finish. Visualization is a powerful tool for boosting confidence and performance on race day.
2. Practice on similar terrain. If possible, try to do some of your key workouts on terrain that mimics the race course. If the course has a lot of hills, find a hilly route for your long runs and tempo runs. If it’s a trail race, practice running on trails. The more specific your training is to the demands of the race, the better prepared you’ll be.
3. Adjust your pacing strategy. Based on what you’ve learned about the course, you may need to adjust your pacing strategy. If there are a lot of hills in the second half of the race, for example, you may want to go out a bit more conservatively and save some energy for the later miles. Or if you know you’ll have a tailwind in the final 5K, you can plan to push the pace a bit harder in that section.

Remember, the goal of race recon is to gather as much information as possible so that you can run your best race. By doing your homework ahead of time, you’ll be able to toe the starting line with confidence, knowing that you’re prepared for whatever the course throws your way.

So the next time you sign up for a race, make sure to put race recon at the top of your to-do list. Your future self (and your race results!) will thank you.

Happy racing!

For more tips on racing your best, check out our other articles on marathon pacing, building a successful training cycle, and the best workouts for 5K and 10K racing.