How slow would the first lap have to be for Bolt to beat Farah in an 800m?

doesn't matter, bolt is too lazy and shiftless to do anything that takes more than a few seconds

The Waterboy wrote:

Surely it couldn't be slower than 90, but I'm thinking something closer to 70. 60 is too fast because I could see Farah doing 60-52 and I don't think Bolt could run a 1:52 without training specifically. But I bet Bolt could run sub 50 off a 70 and I don't think Farah could

You'd be surprised. 70 seconds for a guy Bolt's size is a demand on oxygen. I would be shocked to see him run 50 after a 70 first lap.

I'd say closer to 80 to come around in50-ish.

They would have to go out in 90

Plus Mo would never let Bolt have a chance. He would grab the inside before the end of the first lap and never relinquish it.

ruger wrote:

doesn't matter, bolt is too lazy and shiftless to do anything that takes more than a few seconds

yet he'll kick your ass in a 400.

75

The Waterboy wrote:

Surely it couldn't be slower than 90, but I'm thinking something closer to 70. 60 is too fast because I could see Farah doing 60-52 and I don't think Bolt could run a 1:52 without training specifically. But I bet Bolt could run sub 50 off a 70 and I don't think Farah could

Didn't Mo just win the European Champs 5K (albeit in a slow race) with a last two laps of 58.xx and 52.xx?

He'd crush Bolt as long as they didn't walk the first lap (or jog it in >1:40)!

Doesn't matter. Farah would pull out and wait until a much slower 100m runner wants to race since he's afraid of any real competition.

I won't pretend to understand the physiology, but I think it's problably 80-90 seconds followed by a sub 50 for Bolt to win. That said, I think if Bolt just wanted to run his fastest 800 with a concern for an opponent, he could certainly run a more even paced 1:53-57. He's got a reasonable 400 PR.

Bolt couldn't beat Farah in an 800, period. No matter how slow they took it out Farah would win. Bolt could get him if they dawdled for the first 600 meters or perhaps even 500.

Larry83 wrote:

Bolt couldn't beat Farah in an 800, period. No matter how slow they took it out Farah would win. Bolt could get him if they dawdled for the first 600 meters or perhaps even 500.

Doesn't your third sentence contradict your first two?

Guh wrote:

Larry83 wrote:

Bolt couldn't beat Farah in an 800, period. No matter how slow they took it out Farah would win. Bolt could get him if they dawdled for the first 600 meters or perhaps even 500.

Doesn't your third sentence contradict your first two?

Glad I wasn't the only one confused by his post

What if they were both forced to do side-steps for 400m in 2:30 and then spring the last 400m? Who wins in that scenario?

Or what if the first lap were lunges at the same speed, followed by going all-out in the last 400m?

amexc wrote:

ruger wrote:

doesn't matter, bolt is too lazy and shiftless to do anything that takes more than a few seconds

yet he'll kick your ass in a 400.

oh, you are so wrong about that

Bolt can run under 1:50

So you run a 45.xx 400?

He can' win. Absolutely no chance to beat Mo. Unless he does beat Mo which is possible.

Guh wrote:

Larry83 wrote:

Bolt couldn't beat Farah in an 800, period. No matter how slow they took it out Farah would win. Bolt could get him if they dawdled for the first 600 meters or perhaps even 500.

Doesn't your third sentence contradict your first two?

This

Cicirunner wrote:

They would have to go out in 90

It does sound contradictory but I was simply throwing out a hypothetical scenario which wouldn't actually happen. Farah would never allow that to happen. I'm saying that Farah wouldn't lose unless he did so deliberately.