Track and Field Blogs - Brian Sell

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Opinions from the experts and actual research

drafting happens in running all the time. Look at every single CC race. Sure, many people in the front are in way over their heads in the early miles but they are also drafting for the runners better than them that sit in the pack. Coaches all the time think that the runners in back are running smarter because they are running paces that they can sustain. This is true but in the longer CC races (men's 10k/12k) and many road races (marathons - like Brians Chicago when the Kenyan's all dropped) the runner that tucks in is drafting. It isn't as significant as cycling because of the speeds - but in wind it can be more significant than a bike race in calm weather. Watch a paceline on a track (10k running) drafting is in play in all of these. Cycling advantages are increased with the number of riders that actually take turns doing the work. Runners don't benefit in this way much because they don't work together very often. The Hanson's ODP guys do this (maybe not fully realizing the benefit) on the track. It doesn't work so well in marathons because runners usually don't alternate the lead. Just because the running community doesn't realize how beneficial it is doesn't mean it isn't happening. Don't take my word for this. Experiment with your heart rate monitor.

The effect of drafting behind runners vs cyclists is not comparable. Wind resistance grows exponentially with velocity. Triathletes know this! Runners race the entire distance, bike racers race the last km. No comparison but both are exciting

if we could draft like that, then i guess everyone would want a rabbit in every race, no one would want to lead, which is exactly what the riders in the tour do every time, they use designated teamates who back off towards the end of every stage. Difference is the rabbits in running are probably better payed...

As an avid bmx biker in my younger days, raising cain and tormenting the community, we often utilized drafting techniques when riding in packs. It is much the same when running except not.

I heard you may be doing the Bix next week. Is this true?

As both a cyclist and a runner that is the reason I like running more, if you work harder than everyone else to get a time gap in running a group of runners can work together to catch up to you but it is mostly mental not an actually physiological advantage, as in cycling where you can work hard for miles to open up a big gap and then everyone behind decide to work together to spoil all your hard effort.

A 30% drafting effect in a 10k would make for faster times but BORING races.
I like it the way it is.

Regarding drafting in the 100m: watch today's 100m in Paris. Bolt acted as a 6'6" windbreak for the two little guys just off his left and right shoulders for most of the race. Both those guys race big PR's in a cold rain. I think this confirms Brian's speculation.

Remember, everything is relative. The TDF stages are 20 times longer than the 10k. A 5 minute gap in a 200k ride is like a 15 second gap in a 10k. And as B.Sell said above at the speeds they ride compared to running making up the time difference is not as difficult.
Still though, I have to admit when you physically see the gap you do have to wonder how they can ride 3 or 4 mph faster than the leaders to catch up.

They could draft off a bike. I'm pretty sure the IAAF would disallow the time -- still it would be an interesting experiment.

thank god runners cant draft like bikers. drafting is such . its not real running

Good thoughts Brian. I love you and Brooks and the Hansons. We are lucky to have you as part of our community.

love it

At 10 sec 100m pace you would need a 22mph tailwind to equal things out like a perfect draft.

Great blog post Brian. For one thing, I am both a cyclist and a runner. I run cross country and ride my bike in order to alternate workouts. Also, Usain Bolt did run with the wind in his back during the Olympics. However, he is still a phenomenal runner. I want to see what he could run against the wind.

Good luck with your future Brian. You've got dental school and Penn. in the future, but I still say you could've broken 2:10 if not 2:09, if you had been on a different team with faster athletes to train with. Hey, just one person's opinion. I watch the Tour also and have been back in Armstrong's days. Then there was Bernard Hinault. YouTube it Brian when you find the time.

Usain bolt ran a 9.77 with wind helping him