re: 5k splits

I mean the best way is what ever works best for you. If you’re used to starting out faster than that’s what will work out best for you. Your job is just to make it something manageable.

For example: the xc team I coach has a wide range of what the kids like to do. Some kids take out faster some take out a little slower and gradually get faster. If I were to tell them all they have to negative split my team would suck. I try to give each individual a race plan that works for them and structure training so no matter what race scenario they find themselves in they feel confident to make the moves needed. Anyone that says you have to run one way or another has no idea what they’re talking about.

ETA: specifically speaking. Generally speaking you don’t want your start to be so hard you die or your finish to be so slow you take yourself out of it but that’s what I mean by the start being manageable.