Curious about this. Always wanted to break 2 but ~10 years ago when doing open races regularly, topped out at 2:02. Have kept running but not same intensity/volume and have had injuries. Still would like to die with sub 2 800 pr but not sure how realistic it is post 30 and not having run 800 race in 5 years? Love to hear others experience or training suggestions.
I've trained with plenty of guys in their 30s/40s who were able to go sub-2/4:30ish/sub-16. Was strength or speed the weakness or were you pretty balanced? It's going to be tough to develop more leg speed the older you get. Gotta find a good balance & stay healthy. The guys I ran with were strong & were going 59/60. Doubt they could run a ton faster for an open 400.
I've trained with plenty of guys in their 30s/40s who were able to go sub-2/4:30ish/sub-16. Was strength or speed the weakness or were you pretty balanced? It's going to be tough to develop more leg speed the older you get. Gotta find a good balance & stay healthy. The guys I ran with were strong & were going 59/60. Doubt they could run a ton faster for an open 400.
Speed was always my strength. Was a sprinter in middle school, 4x 4 relay in HS, and always had stronger short distance PRs, 800 seemed the sweet spot. Same day as 800 PR, ran 4:23 in 1500. Think most splits for 800 were go out 60 and hold on. Watched a lot of Symmond's races and read his book back in the day, he always said +2 sec was good for the 800 and I found I ran similar to him.
Curious about this. Always wanted to break 2 but ~10 years ago when doing open races regularly, topped out at 2:02. Have kept running but not same intensity/volume and have had injuries. Still would like to die with sub 2 800 pr but not sure how realistic it is post 30 and not having run 800 race in 5 years? Love to hear others experience or training suggestions.
MoVB
I didn’t take up serious hobby jogging until my late 20’s. When I was 32 I trained to run a sub 4:30 mile (ended up running 4:28).I did some pretty random workouts and one I did when I was crunched for time was to run a lap at goal mile pace then blast a lap. I ended up splitting 67/56 so I think I was in shape to run close to 2 flat that day off strictly mile training. Sadly, I’ll never know but my point is a first sub 2 is definitely possible after 30.
Probably not impossible, most guys peak around 25 years when it comes to 800m running but that data is coming from guys that are thrashing their bodies with middle distance training from the age of 15 or so. If you aren’t having any chronic running related issues and can still run fast over 200m I say go for it. I had a teammate who was 30 and ran I think 1:56 the one time he stepped down, and he didn’t break 2:00 in highschool and took up road racing for 7-8 years until he joined the team.
Probably not impossible, most guys peak around 25 years when it comes to 800m running but that data is coming from guys that are thrashing their bodies with middle distance training from the age of 15 or so. If you aren’t having any chronic running related issues and can still run fast over 200m I say go for it. I had a teammate who was 30 and ran I think 1:56 the one time he stepped down, and he didn’t break 2:00 in highschool and took up road racing for 7-8 years until he joined the team.
Appreciate the hopeful replies and glad it may be a reasonable goal. Injuries have gotten more common but think that's just from not focusing as much on recovery and lazier lifestyle w/o focus on training. Definitely going to try, as not ready to give up mid d and move up distance just yet!
Curious about this. Always wanted to break 2 but ~10 years ago when doing open races regularly, topped out at 2:02. Have kept running but not same intensity/volume and have had injuries. Still would like to die with sub 2 800 pr but not sure how realistic it is post 30 and not having run 800 race in 5 years? Love to hear others experience or training suggestions.
MoVB
Keep Trying... I have a friend that is 37 years old right now and did not break the 4:00 mile for the first time until he was 44 years old.
Curious about this. Always wanted to break 2 but ~10 years ago when doing open races regularly, topped out at 2:02. Have kept running but not same intensity/volume and have had injuries. Still would like to die with sub 2 800 pr but not sure how realistic it is post 30 and not having run 800 race in 5 years? Love to hear others experience or training suggestions.
MoVB
Keep Trying... I have a friend that is 37 years old right now and did not break the 4:00 mile for the first time until he was 44 years old.