As a marathon runner, I think we use the expression exclusively for the (vast majority) who aren't going to win. You're trying to set your personal best time, or perhaps just finish. That's best done by knowing your body and what it can do.
The other expression is "plan your run, and run your plan". That is, don't be influenced by other runners, who are presumably doing what is best for their bodies, not yours. That's especially important early, when it's easy to set out too fast.
(And especially after the pack opens up a bit. Before that you can't run your own race, because you're surrounded. When it opens up, all that energy you've been saving up during your taper wants to come out all at once.)
Nobody expects it to apply to the front of the pack. They're competing against each other, not against themselves. A personal best means nothing. All they care about is getting across ahead of the other guy.
I understand that they're using the expression in a completely different way. And that way smacks of self-congratulatory survivorship bias.
The other expression is "plan your run, and run your plan". That is, don't be influenced by other runners, who are presumably doing what is best for their bodies, not yours. That's especially important early, when it's easy to set out too fast.
(And especially after the pack opens up a bit. Before that you can't run your own race, because you're surrounded. When it opens up, all that energy you've been saving up during your taper wants to come out all at once.)
Nobody expects it to apply to the front of the pack. They're competing against each other, not against themselves. A personal best means nothing. All they care about is getting across ahead of the other guy.
I understand that they're using the expression in a completely different way. And that way smacks of self-congratulatory survivorship bias.
It remains good advice for marathon runners.