4 weeks ago I decided for fun to run in an 800m race off my 5k training. I'm a 16.30's 5k runner from last year. I managed to just beat my PB from 2 years ago with 2.10 (66/64 splits). I finished the last lap very strong. Having felt quite pleased with that surprise PB off no 800m training, I wanted to see what I could do with some 800m training in me this time. So today going into today's race I felt quite confident I could pull out a 2.09. The conditions were fine and I went through the bell in 66 sec again. But this time the wheel's fell off and I had nothing in me to push on down the back straight. I came home in a disappointing 2.13.
Is this normal for an 800m race? Can you have ups and downs, where one race you're going through the bell feeling fine, and then another race, for no apparent reason, just have nothing in your legs at the bell to push on the 2nd lap?
I would like to do another 800m next month though and try and beat my PB.