Boston wrote:
One thing you have to realise is that the 800m is an extension of speed. Without sub 11 capabilities you wont run a 1:41.xx. Essentially with your logic one can sprint an entire 400m virtually flat out. And lets face it, that makes you look pretty silly.
You fail to realize that the 800m is NOT a 400m. What part of that are you not realizing? Obviously you need speed to run a fast 400m but you absolutely do not to run a fast 800m.
You're basically forgetting that 100m to 400m is only an extra 300 meters. But 400 to 800 is an additional 400m extra. A huge difference in anaerobic/aerobic usage.
Look at the charts again. The 800m is roughly 25% anaerobic. Not much need for sub 11 sprint speed there.
You're also failing to take into account that the start becomes absolutely pivotal in the 100m dash. This is not a 400m run where you can skip out of the blocks and be okay.
Even with a modest time of 11.5 Rudisha can achieve a 1:41.
11.5 x 8 is equivalent to a 1:32. Are you really that "silly" to believe that he's sprinting flat out because he can only run 11.5?