What event or background is the easiest to start with and transfer to the decathlon? And does anyone know what events most top decathletes start with? I'm thinking either high hurdles or pole vault, since they require the most all around athleticism. Thoughts?
I'd say hurdles. A good hurdler could immediately do a respectable 100, 400 and LJ. Nearly halfway there already!
Although very few multimen start with it (at least in my experience)--most of them seem to come from the speed events--I'd say the best event to start with is indeed the pole vault. You have to be fast to be successful with it, plus have a great kinesthetic sense and a lot of upper body strength.
long jump.
Show me a good 400 runner ( with typical build) and I'll show you a good potential decathlete.
1500m.
Show me a runner who looks like Centro and I'll show you a WR breaking decathlete.
It's gotta be the shot put. Don't underestimate the shot guys. We do not a super elite guy but if you take a leaner shot put guy he's going to have some crazy acceleration and hops which is half of the decathlon.
This is a one event answer and it is the pole vault. A pole vaulter can sprint, be trained to run mid-distance, is naturally good at hurdling and may even have throwing experience (javelin) so crossing over to the shot wont be a total shot in the dark (pun).
Uh...decathlon?
You can sort of classify the events by how they are similar:
110h, 100, 400, LJ, HJ, PV - fast twitch
shot, jav, disc, PV - upper body strength
400, 1500 - speed endurance
Clearly, the 1500m is NOT the best background for the decathlon, since it doesn't translate well to the other events. It only really helps with the 400m. If you specialize in the PV and 400m, you have most things covered. Here are some possible decathlon backgrounds and their strengths:
mid-distance: 400, 1500, (HJ)
sprinting: 100, 110h, 400, LJ, HJ
throwing: shot, jav, disc
pole vault: 100, 110h, (400), LJ, HJ, PV
So yes, Pole vault is probably the best background for a decathlete, followed by pure sprinting. Mid-distance is probably the worst, because at least throwers have their events nailed down. The 400 and HJ, while still good events for the mid-distance runner, will still be won by sprinters or pole vaulters.
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