Adrienne Shue Developing an Understanding of Factors Influencing Sense of Pace in In-Season Female Collegiate Cross Country Runners Division Sciences Department Biology & Physical Education Year 2003 Advisor Kristina Mead and Pan Fanaritis

The belief that the ability to run at a consistent pace over a long distance will improve running performance was the basis for this research.  Influences on the ability to run at certain intensities, judge the pace at which one is running, and consistently run at the same pace were investigated.  The use of internal and external feedback systems to gauge the effort level of exercise was explored in two ways: a review of the literature and testing the ability of runners to achieve a goal time over a variety of conditions. Subjects consistently attained times that were significantly different from the goal time, indicating that these conditions may influence the ability to judge/maintain pace.  General trends revealed by this project may direct further research.