Converting to a sprinter?

High School Running High School Training

5 years ago 04/25/2018 10:06pm EDT

Ever since I began running track my freshman year of High School, I've always been a distance runner.

I also quit football my sophomore year and joined the cross country team - but lately I've been struggling when it comes to distance.

It's now my junior year, and I have been stuck at a 2:07-2:12 800m time, and I can't get under 5:00 for the mile, stuck at a 5:07 PR, and I am garbage at the 2 mile.

I've been dropping times consistently for the 400m however, going from a 57.6 to a 53.2 this season, and I ran my first ever 200m dash on Tuesday and ran a 23.5 without using a starting block, (i never learned how to use it) after running my 400 PR not even half an hour before (and an 800m 1-2 hours before also)

I also really enjoyed that race, it's exhilerating and it really does feel good to run a time like that (I came in second against sprinters) without ANY specific sprinter training besides hitting the weights on my own personal time.

I was thinking maybe I should run a few more 200's and maybe some 100's to see if I can actually perform well as a sprinter - because even the sprinter coach for my high school team told me I seem like I be great.

I do still love distance though, and it's a really hard decision on what I should focus on.

My cross country PR is a 16:51 by the way.

5 years ago 04/25/2018 11:05pm EDT

re: y000ashes

I don’t know why you are asking for people’s opinion, you seem to have it figured out. Your long distance times have stagnated, focus on where you are improving. Just go with it. You are still young. There is no need to get stuck as distance runner. If you excel at sprinting, that’s impressive too. If the opportunity arises, jump in a few distance races throughout the season. I personally think you should focus on your strengthens, on what feels right and where you are improving. All of these signs lead to you sprinting. Best of luck.

5 years ago 04/26/2018 1:27pm EDT

re: y000ashes

y000ashes wrote:
I ran my first ever 200m dash on Tuesday and ran a 23.5 without using a starting block
My cross country PR is a 16:51 by the way.

UMMM with those times you should be a stud at the 400 and the 800, you have terrific speed for somebody with that 5k pr time (Especially good considering you didn't even use blocks). If I didn't know better I'd say you should be running 51 for 400m and 1:58~1:59 for 800m.

If you want to be a sprinter though that is 100% your choice, you seem fast enough anyway, 23.5 is pretty good for someone with no sprinting training and without a block.

Just a quick question, have you run the 800m fresh at all this season? Or is it always after other events?

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