High School Track and Field

Wait, I forgot to mention that I ran a 5:35 a month ago, and I think I've gotten stronger since then. I've done 10x400 repeats workouts twice, and most of my repeats are at an average between 1:14-1:16, and my coaches have me work on sprints a lot. I haven't gotten a ton of like hard, tempo runs though, I usually only do those twice a week. My coaches put a lot more emphasis on speed with breaks in between.

You're not a 1600 meter runner- you are a runner. The best way to run the 1600 is by doing even splits, there is no reason to run the first 400 in 75 seconds unless you are a 5 minute 1600m runner. If you havent broken 5:25 don't go out too fast.

hit 80 or even 81. if you are fast enough, you will have a proper kick on the last lap to hit your time. even or negative splits. all day.

if the first lap is 2 seconds or so fast, that is okay. you e got some different energy systems working in your favor for about 20 seconds before you settle into pace.

Trackgirl23 wrote:

10x400 repeats workouts twice, and most of my repeats are at an average between 1:14-1:16

If rested for 1 minute between reps, you should be ready to go sub 5. If you did this on 2 minutes rest, it's still very possible as long as you have good endurance. You're a freshman, so it's more unlikely that you have that sort of endurance.

I didn't read your username. That's impressive for a freshman girl.

Thanks😁, I think?

Thanks for your advice. While I probably should have gone out at around an 80, I think it was closer to 75. But my last two laps were pretty close to each other. I ended up running a 5:22 on Thursday and got 3rd in my race. I was close to second, but another girl outkicked me and beat me by two-tenths of a second.

If you are falling off in the second half of the race, that tells me that your fitness level is not high enough to run quicker. You need a little more sustainable volume under your belt for a few weeks and then some higher volume __x400 workouts. Maybe even __x600 workouts to get your system used to running longer distances sustaining a faster pace.

Sham 69 wrote:

I didn't read your username. That's impressive for a freshman girl.

Of course you didn’t. Because you’re a sexist jerk wad. Don’t take advice from this loser please.

If 1600 is your best or favorite event, then like the idea of racing one event up and one down. I suspect that's what your coaches are thinking with having you run the 800 and 3200.

800 is shorter/faster than the mile, so it can help you develop speed. 3200 is longer and slower than the mile, so it can help you develop pacing and stamina. Being a well-rounded runner is a good thing.