My coach set out a ridiculous session the other night and i just want to see what people on letsrun think about it. I'm an 800/1500 runner.
The session was 4x600m at faster than 800m pace off 200 jog recovery. When i say faster, i mean closer to 400m pace, ie flat out over 600m. My 800m pb is 1:57 (58.5 a lap), and my 400 pb is 54. The target pace to go through 400 was 55.
I hit 400m on the first rep in 56 and ended up at 600m in 88, bearing in mind a very strong wind. Needless to say the next rep was a trip to lactic city off only 200 jog and i got nowhere. After this i decided to stop the session and do a few 200m reps, which ironically i struggled to complete at the target pace for the 600s.
My coach maintained that even though he knew this was a tough session the top guys would be able to do it. Unlikely considering based on kipketer's time, he would have had to break the 600m world record 4 times off 200m jog!
I know that it's important to push yourself and develop lactic tolerance but when the times are so unrealistic it becomes destructive. Anyone else been set a stupid session like this?