What's a good indication that one can break 2 in the 800?

imcurious55 wrote:

Lock of Century wrote:

50 speed is a lock to break 2 with even so-so endurance.

Our team has multiple sub 2 800 guys with over 50 PRs. Some well over.

When you say over 50? You mean anywhere in the range from 51-55ish? What do you mean by speed lock?

I mean, if you can run a 50.X 400, you should be able to run a sub 2 800 with any decent endurance. With good endurance sub 155 is in the cards.

They're are 2 159 guys on our team I don't think can break 54.

imcurious55 wrote:

coahc wrote:

Interesting post. Speed doesn't seem to be the issue. I coach an 800m runner with a 400m pb of 51.05. In order to build more aerobic strength I world recommend 400's at 3k pace, threshold running, and hills. At this time of the year our fast stuff is in the shape of 150 accelerations. Hill reps range between 60m-300m. Our lactate tolerance sessions are hills at this time of the year w/nationals in late March. I had a 17 year old come to me in May and off this training he has already run 1:53 and 3:56 for 800/1500 he runs about 30 miles per week.

So it's more of a strength thing? What exactly does strength mean in terms of running the 800? I know theres speed, endurance, and strength but I'm not too sure on what strength is.

Ok so let's look at the workout you posted. 400/200 x2 with short recovery + 10min between sets. You stated you died on last 200. This is because of your inability for sustained power or as I like to say aerobic strength. The runner that I coach w/51 second 400m pb has run 1:50.05 for 800m. This is because he has well developed aerobic capacity. If you can run 50 or 52 if you incorporate some of your training at 3k race pace + some threshold work you will run much closer to your potential.

In running terms strength typically refers to a runner's ability to carry their top speed, or something close to their top speed, for a long distance.

Yeah bro I have a 59.99 PR but ran 1:59. No sweat

Lol the 800m runner's dream

imcurious55 wrote:

I have a mile PR of 4:51. This is probably hard to answer but, do I have a shot at breaking 2 this indoor season? The last time I ran one was in June and that was a 2:01 (alone) but I was training for 4 months to get there from a 2:09. Currently I've only been training a month now and the first meet is in two weeks. I don't know what kind of 800 shape I'm in and my coach doesn't want to do a time trial so I'm kind of nervous. I want to know where I'm at before I can dip my feet in the water.

If you were in 50.x shape when you ran the 4:51, you could've gone sub 2 then. Maybe a little tapering and race pace specific work then you're there.

the Smart wrote:

53

53 is good for sub 2:00 somewhere around 4:35 to 4:40

high school xc coach wrote:

the Smart wrote:

53

53 is good for sub 2:00 somewhere around 4:35 to 4:40

maybe even as slow as 4:50 with some kids.

I ran 53 and 4:15.

Not sure if this is helpful, but all through HS my coach had me at 20-30mpw. I routinely ran my 400 relay leg between 50 and 52 seconds sophomore to senior year and each year my 800 also peaked at around 2:01.

I’m convinced if some combination of my parents and my coach had known better, or if we’d had the Internet back then, I’d have been running 45 mpw and been closer to at least 1:56.

Is 800m so far that you can't hammer it down?