The world racing authorities have decided that women’s running records have to be set in women-only races. That is to keep them from being paced by generally faster men. What difference should that make? Another recent study cited in the NYT gives the answer.
Bicyclists were told to go as fast as they could on a stationary bike. Then they were paired against a artificial-reality rival who appeared to race just ahead of them, and they were able to see an image of themselves riding their personal record pace. But the researchers tricked the cyclists. Although the image was supposed to be that of themselves going as fast as they could possibly go, in fact it was rigged to go a little faster. And the cyclists kept pace with this faster time, even though they couldn’t before.
There is a huge psychological component to running. That is why people find reserves they didn’t think they had when they near the finish line. That is why, when a new world record is set, the person who comes in second also often bests the old world record. And why women won’t be allowed to have pace setters in male runners. Another example of the power of faking it ’til you make it.