Running Reflections - Overtaking others versus being overtaken

Let me start this with a disclaimer - I know there are many runners who are non-competitive (or at least say they aren't competitive) and if you really don't care about how fast you run or, more appropriately, who you overtake and who overtakes you then this blog is probably not for you. For the rest of us, those whose competitive juices get going once their adrenaline is pumping, then read on.

For many years I ran in Central Park in New York and trying to overtake others and not be overtaken myself helped me clock some of my best times ever. Some other time I will write a blog on the art of overtaking as their is a lot of strategy involved in this and a lot of satisfaction that can be derived therefrom. So at the end of the run I wanted to know how many people I overtook and how many people overtook me. So what does this number (# you overtook - #overtook you) really tell you. I sometimes call this number the Running Satisfaction Quotient.

The difference in the number of people you overtake and the number of people who overtake you is a good measure of how your speed compares to the population of runners on the course. If the number is 0  i.e. you overtake the same number as the number that over take you, then  you are running at the average pace. The more positive the number is the faster you are than the average, and the more negative the number the slower you are compared to the average.

An interesting way to think about this is to take yourself as the reference point. So picture yourself on a loop and assume you are stationary and that those running faster than you are moving forward on the loop and those running slower are running backward on the loop. If you are an average runner then the same number of people will cross you in both directions. There is a distribution of running speeds which looks like a normal distribution around 9min 30 second miles. So depending on whether you run faster or slower than that you know what to expect.

For those mathematically inclined, it is fun to model this. It is easier to assume that people run the same speed throughout the run and if you need to get some running speed distribution graphs you can go to marathonguide.com. Once you build the model you should be able to put in your running speed and the number of runners and be able to tell how many people you expect to overtake you can expect to overtake you. You can then create your own Running Satisfaction Quotient graph. Let me know you do this.

Have fun running and remember it is more fun the more people you overtake ;)