Late season 800/1600 workouts

Why do they say youre faster than your times? Are your splits bad? Are you dying really bad at a certain point?

That 8x400 workout seems intense. What kind of rest are you getting? All your workouts really seem incredibly hard. Are you sore and tired all the time? Rest may be all you need. Light running and a few glorified strides should do it.

Well the 4:25 race felt comfortable because I stayed right behind the 1st man for the entire race up until the last 150-200 and I kicked past him. But my other races haven't been as competitive so I've found myself often running from the front and it just seems like a burden to do. Am I approaching the race wrong? Not running relaxed? Overthinking?

one last shot wrote:

Well the 4:25 race felt comfortable because I stayed right behind the 1st man for the entire race up until the last 150-200 and I kicked past him. But my other races haven't been as competitive so I've found myself often running from the front and it just seems like a burden to do. Am I approaching the race wrong? Not running relaxed? Overthinking?

I'm asking you. Its possible if you are winning every race easily the coaches are just positing that in a competitive race you could run faster. They are probably right but don't bank on it.

If you are having your last race soon, I hope that you are in a competitive field. As far as priming your body to do your best your last few days should be something like

easy day

"workout" aka glorified strides. 8x 200 @28-30 1 min rest.

Pre meet.

With solid time spent stretching and preparing the body.

Are you doubling 800/1600? I think you're better at the mile. I would try to hit 65s and see what you have left on that last lap. In the 800 a 55.xx opening lap is aggressive but you'll know you left it out there by doing that.

Yeah you're probably right. I'll train light in preparation. I am doubling the 800 and 1600 but they're on separate days. I had the same idea about the 800 with the 55 opening quarter. In the 1600 It'll be a real competitive field with a couple of sub 4:20 runners so I thought about 64 each lap and then whatever I have to close.

Perfect. If the 800 is competitive as well then just race both. Likely the race will go out in something like 55 or 56. If you want to take it out then go for it.

In the mile with some sub 4:20 guys just race it. Don't be worried if your out in 66 as opposed to 64. Just stick with those leaders and see what you can do.

Alright sounds good! Thanks for all of the advice.

A 1200, 1k, 800, 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100 (mile pace-800 pace-400 pace) jogging recovery. Done in spikes & another good one is 300-600-400 at 800 pace. Eat healthy, drink water, sleep good, stretch, core, and get a good warm-up on race day.

Let us know how it goes.

how much rest time in between each 1200-1k-etc...?

Today 800 runners did the following:

600 @ 800 pace in spikes.

15 min rest

6x200 with 300 walk.

Our goal race is in 8 days.

Hard to say with just a snap shot but it does sound like you just need to take a down day and be in the right race.

hey guys here's the update: i ran the 800 in 1:58 and placed but the 1600 was unfortunately disappointing. I came out in 66 and got boxed in so i tried to make up for it by surging up to 3rd place and ran the 2nd lap in 62 to come through the 800 in 2:08. But at this point, my legs were starting to tighten up. the last 2 laps were horrid. The race was won in 4:21, so had i run my own race and came out in 2:10-2:12, my time would have been entire different. Thank you guys for all the help and advice. Unfortunately, isn't race tactics were poor.

one last shot wrote:

hey guys here's the update: i ran the 800 in 1:58 and placed but the 1600 was unfortunately disappointing. I came out in 66 and got boxed in so i tried to make up for it by surging up to 3rd place and ran the 2nd lap in 62 to come through the 800 in 2:08. But at this point, my legs were starting to tighten up. the last 2 laps were horrid. The race was won in 4:21, so had i run my own race and came out in 2:10-2:12, my time would have been entire different. Thank you guys for all the help and advice. Unfortunately, isn't race tactics were poor.

I guess that only Dave Wottle and myself know how to pace a race.

I mean get a clue guys and learn from those who maybe were not outstanding athletes. If you get lucky you will learn how to pace a long distance race and that is by running it even pace.

Don't you get a little bored by trying to run with the lead pack? I like to have people to pass so I use a conservative start. If you do it right, they will come back to you.

Few understand this.

I once saw a guy run 50-65 and win the sate title in 1:55. How stupid are the runners in that race? 57-57 would have won it!

But if you are going to race that way, you had better train that way, and few people believe in this so my secret is safe!!!

Yes i understand now that even pacing is the way to go. That's a valuable tip i'll take with me to college. I'll also have to work on my racing tactics and developing a strong bag of tricks, whether it's running from the middle of the pack, leading the pack with surges, or pacing the front man.