Roesler article in Fargo Forum

[tony]

WOW! How about Texas A & M senior Jessica Beard's meet record split of 49.14!
She also took the title in the open 400m at 51.10.

a. Wow
b. Doesn't seem like 4x400 splits should be that far off. Makes me wonder if starting from the blocks in the open 400 is all that great of an idea.

[Buffalo.Rider]

I think the difference in time can be attributed to having a running start. Except for the first leg of the 4 x 400m, the athletes have a running start. In the Beijing Olympics, Jeremy Wariner ran a 43.18 split in the 4 x 400m, when he had an off year, and that time was a few tenths better than his personal best.

[IzzyFlexion]

I think the difference in time can be attributed to having a running start. Except for the first leg of the 4 x 400m, the athletes have a running start. In the Beijing Olympics, Jeremy Wariner ran a 43.18 split in the 4 x 400m, when he had an off year, and that time was a few tenths better than his personal best.

Also, the segment of the exchange zone where the forthcoming runner accepts the baton influences the split.

[tony]

Also, the segment of the exchange zone where the forthcoming runner accepts the baton influences the split.

As a spectator, I start/stop at the line that marks the beginning of the exchange zone.

If coaches time the split from when the runner grabs the baton to when they hand it off, yeah, that would seem pretty worthless (and it'd make for some pretty spectacular anchor splits.) I've got no idea how coaches time splits.

[Castor Troy]

As a spectator, I start/stop at the line that marks the beginning of the exchange zone.

If coaches time the split from when the runner grabs the baton to when they hand it off, yeah, that would seem pretty worthless (and it'd make for some pretty spectacular anchor splits.) I've got no idea how coaches time splits.

The first runner stays in their lane so you stop their split at the end of the exchange zone. The rest of the legs
cut in at the start/finish line and that is when the split stops for that runner even if they don't have
the baton. This will give you the most accurate split.

[tony]

Roesler = Pac 10 Champion in the 800m (about a 2:05) If you're not impressed, remember that the 800 is a very strategic, technical race.

[SamsRams]

Roesler = Pac 10 Champion in the 800m (about a 2:05) If you're not impressed, remember that the 800 is a very strategic, technical race.

Very very impressive. She qualified for nationals right??

[JackJD]

The first runner stays in their lane so you stop their split at the end of the exchange zone. The rest of the legs
cut in at the start/finish line and that is when the split stops for that runner even if they don't have
the baton. This will give you the most accurate split.

I don't agree with the first part. I believe you take the split at the mid-point of the exchange zone. If the race is a 4 x 400, the mid-point of the first exchange zone should be 400 meters from where the first runner started. (I think I may have an NCAA book laying around somewhere that discusses track dimensions including markings on tracks showing exchange zones etc...will try to find that.) I agree with Castor Troy's comments on the rest of the legs: it's the start/finish line (assuming the race is a 4 x 400) because that's the mid-point of the exchange zone. Same concept applies in other relays: mid-point of the exchange zone. You're trying to time the distance the baton has traveled and making it as close to the actual distance each runner is assigned to run in the relay.

Good relay teams take advantage of each runner's strengths/weaknesses. If one runner is a strong finisher, they may consider his handoff taking place later in the zone. If the incoming runner tends to be running out of gas, may be better to have him hand off early in the zone. There are other considerations: if the runner is a great starter, that can influence where he wants to take the handoff. Strong finisher and a quick starter may work well to have the handoff late in the exchange zone.

The split is most accurate at the mid-point of the exchange irrespective of which runner is carrying the baton at that point.

Baylor usually shows how to do it in the 4 x 400 as they routinely flirt with 3-flat most seasons.

It is funny to watch a lot of parents -- and some coaches -- screwing up splits by taking the split at the handoff which may or may not be accurate. They may be timing a runner who runs only 395 meters vs one who runs 405 meters.

[semobison]

I don't agree with the first part. I believe you take the split at the mid-point of the exchange zone. If the race is a 4 x 400, the mid-point of the first exchange zone should be 400 meters from where the first runner started. (I think I may have an NCAA book laying around somewhere that discusses track dimensions including markings on tracks showing exchange zones etc...will try to find that.) I agree with Castor Troy's comments on the rest of the legs: it's the start/finish line (assuming the race is a 4 x 400) because that's the mid-point of the exchange zone. Same concept applies in other relays: mid-point of the exchange zone. You're trying to time the distance the baton has traveled and making it as close to the actual distance each runner is assigned to run in the relay.

Good relay teams take advantage of each runner's strengths/weaknesses. If one runner is a strong finisher, they may consider his handoff taking place later in the zone. If the incoming runner tends to be running out of gas, may be better to have him hand off early in the zone. There are other considerations: if the runner is a great starter, that can influence where he wants to take the handoff. Strong finisher and a quick starter may work well to have the handoff late in the exchange zone.

The split is most accurate at the mid-point of the exchange irrespective of which runner is carrying the baton at that point.

Baylor usually shows how to do it in the 4 x 400 as they routinely flirt with 3-flat most seasons.

It is funny to watch a lot of parents -- and some coaches -- screwing up splits by taking the split at the handoff which may or may not be accurate. They may be timing a runner who runs only 395 meters vs one who runs 405 meters.

Some very good points, but the spot to take splits is at the one turn stagger mark in the exchange zone for the lead runner (the starting line for the 800, 1500 etc...) because the 2nd runner is running a one turn stagger, then the finish line for runners 2,3 and your anchor. Most coaches understand that your lead runners split is going to be a little slower because he doesnt have a running start!

[semobison]

Laura Roesler helps the Oregon women to the 2013 NCAA indoor national title with a 2nd place finish in the 800! Her time 2:02.32 was a new Oregon school record. She also ran a 52.6 split in the Ducks 4x400 national champion relay team! Nice meet for Laura!