Concept
Pacing strategy
A plan for distributing speed and effort across a workout or race.
Common strategies
Even pacing, terrain-adjusted pacing, and negative splitting can all be appropriate depending on the course and goal.
Why the opening matters
Starting too aggressively creates early fatigue that may be impossible to recover from later.
Why splits need context
A faster or slower split may reflect terrain, wind, congestion, or a deliberate effort decision rather than poor execution.
How to use it
Plan a conservative opening, use a few meaningful checkpoints, and review splits with effort and conditions afterward.
Common misconception
A negative split is not the only successful strategy, and perfectly even GPS splits are not always desirable.