1. Race Single Distances in Speed Skating
The entry level of speed skating competitions on the Olympic level is the single-distance race. You should specialize in a single distance before pursuing team and multi-race events. The basic distance used for samalog scoring and timing is the 500-meter race. You need to run the track twice in 500-meter races to account for distance changes between the outside and inside lanes.
There are multiple distances used in international competition to test sprinters and distance racers. Your long stride and high endurance level can help you compete in the women's 3,000 meter or men's 10,000-meter race. The intermediate distances of 1,000 meters and 1,500 meters test your balance of strength, endurance and speed.
2. Proper Pace in Speed Skating Sprints
Your exceptional speed can help you excel in the sport by participating in sprinting events. These events take place over two days to eliminate momentary lapses by individual skaters. Competitors need to cover distances of 500 meters and 1,000 meters on both days of these events to qualify for samalog points. The samalog system uses the number of seconds in each racer?s time to determine points toward medals and trophies.
The success of sprinters in speed skating hinges on the use of techniques similar to those used by runners. You need to shorten your arm movements, stay away from the outside lane and use your knees to drive the blades into the ice to maintain momentum. You also need to lean forward out of your balanced stance at the end of sprints to beat out competition to the finish line.
3. Work With Speed Skaters in Team Pursuit
The team pursuit event in speed skating features two teams on one track that are racing against a digital timer. Each team features three skaters who race on the inside lane of an ice track until the heat is finished. A male competitor who wants to participate in team pursuit needs to prepare for eight laps, while his female counterpart would run six laps. The overall time for every member of each pursuit team to cross the finish line is used to assess rankings on national and international levels.
You need to learn how to draft off teammates in the team pursuit event to save your energy for additional heats. The premium placed on air resistance in this sports means that the lead skater can act as the windscreen for his two teammates. Drafters need to be courteous of the leaders by acknowledging their positions and matching strides to avoid collisions.
4. Participating in All-Around Speed Skating Events
The all-around speed skating event requires a participant to run four different distances in a 2-day period. These distances vary depending on gender, with women skating a 3,000-meter race and men substituting this event for the 10,000-meter race. Your ability to complete a 500-meter, 1,500-meter and 3,000-meter race is necessary for eligibility in international scoring.
The samalog scoring system needs to be understood by novice speed skaters heading into the all-around event. This system uses the 500-meter distance as a way for breaking down points in multi-race events. Your 500-meter finish time of 50 seconds results in 50 points. Likewise, a 1,000-meter race finished in 100 seconds will net you 100 points. The training process for competitive skaters should feature 500-meter splits to help simulate scoring in all-around events.
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