Drafting and running

DogSlySmile

Interesting blog post on the topic here from Sweat Science.

I've tried drafting in a few races where I've been running into a head wind but I never felt like I got much out of it, but after reading this it seems like there is some hard data to back up the claim that it can be beneficial (at paces faster than 7m/m).

Drafting one meter behind another runner on a still day saves about 80% of the energy you'd otherwise spend fighting air resistance

Do you feel much benefit from drafting? If you didnt draft before would reading this make you try it out?

RayCun

we were talking about this a few months ago, re. David Rudisha, and Brianderunner posted this link
http://www.hillrunner.com/jim2/id39.html

Cabaal

Did it during Connemara Marathon last year, bit of a head wind after the half way mark, def felt the benefit at that stage

DogSlySmile

RayCun wrote: »

we were talking about this a few months ago, re. David Rudisha, and Brianderunner posted this link
http://www.hillrunner.com/jim2/id39.html

Glover advises to not draft when its warm????

However, in the 1999 edition he does address the disadvantage of drafting in hot weather, when the "air conditioning" effect of running in the clear can more than offset any benefit from drafting. He specifically says, "Don't draft unless the winds are very strong. Avoid the wind shadows of runners in front of you by either passing them or moving to the side to catch more of the helpful head winds."

OK....

dna_leri

Always happy to draft in a track race, feel guilty doing it on the road so will usually "take my turn" on the front unless I am competing for position.

metamagical

There's a definite benefit from it, especially when the wind is hard or you're just at your threshold pace. And the psychological advantage of breathing down someone's neck can't be discounted either.

It's funny, but I would regard it as terrible form to draft and not take a go at the front when cycling, but when running I am quite happy to let the fella ahead soak up the wind and tire himself out.

booboo31

im only a little fart so id say i wudnt have any problem drafting..you would want to stoop fair low to draft behind me...:D

rom

Was running a straight mile race a few months back into a strong wind. Guy behind me was drafting off me. I died in the final quarter and he wasn't happy about this. I think he muttered some expletive and passed me but really it wasn't my fault. Live by the sword die by the sword. I was fine for the first 3 quarters where he could shelter behind me but it's not my fault that I burned out in the final quarter. Not really fair tbh. Don't mind him drafting but if I slow down and cause him to slow it's his fault and not mine.

pconn062

rom wrote: »

Was running a straight mile race a few months back into a strong wind. Guy behind me was drafting off me. I died in the final quarter and he wasn't happy about this. I think he muttered some expletive and passed me but really it wasn't my fault. Live by the sword die by the sword. I was fine for the first 3 quarters where he could shelter behind me but it's not my fault that I burned out in the final quarter. Not really fair tbh. Don't mind him drafting but if I slow down and cause him to slow it's his fault and not mine.

In fairness if some guy drafted off me for 3/4's of a race I'd be peed off! I would have tried to shake him off, move to the outside or anything. I'm fine for drafting in longer road race and even on the track but in a straight line mile race that's taking the piss a bit!