800m prediction wrote:
I remember reading somewhere that if you run a hard 400m on your own and add 4 seconds to it, you'll get your predicted pace for the 800m during an actual race.
Example: 60" 400 = 64"/lap pace = 2:08
Does that sound right?
This might be appropriate for a mid-30s marathoner with two decades of mileage behind him, but it’s going to be wildly optimistic for most high school and college aged 800 runners. Think closer to (400+7)*2 for 400/800 types and (400+6)*2 for 8/15 types. For long sprinters it’ll really break down — guys who run under 55 for a quarter and can’t sniff 2:10 for an 800 [without specific training] are a dime a dozen.