A flock of geese will always fly in a V pattern. This universal habit of theirs has been thoroughly researched and measured. As these two videos illustrate, they do so for physical efficiency and for social encouragement. Each flap of the wings of one goose creates an uplift for the bird following. This allows for 71% increase in their potential flying range. The geese in the back honk to encourage those in front. When an individual struggles and has to drop back, two others will assist and protect. They also rotate their leadership, so that the additional burden (physical and emotional) is distributed among the group.

Tour de France cyclists thoroughly take advantage of the same principals. Their rapid speed (relative to that of a runner) increases the effect of taking advantage of the physics principals. Runners will also receive some benefit from 'Drafting' off of the leader, especially on a windy day. There can also be some 'emotional stress' for leading, in that you must make decisions on which way to go and how fast. There is some mental refreshment in being a follower after leading for an extended time.

So that summarizes the advantages during one race or one workout. Let's expand this now to a team spanning across years of success. In recent years at WHS XC, we have had several running giants break new ground in the Washington State XC. Sir Isaac Newton (who should have had an incredible grasp of the physics applied to this pattern) stated 'If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants. So follow off of their shoulders'. In our case, we must 'run' further by 'running' of the shoulders of those that went before. To become as good as your heroes, you must imitate them more so than idolize them. Do what they did; mimic their habits; become what they were! They broke the initial barriers so you can get there as well, and hopefully beyond. One major reason this program at WHS is a 'measuring' program so we can follow the footsteps of those giants and see how we measure up and when we surpass them!

The lessons we learn from the geese are first how to be a great teammate (by breaking wind or encouraging), and second, how to get the most out of following and eventually surpassing the accomplishments of those who have gone before.