would block if they left me wrote:
O o o oreilly wrote:To be honest after I lost state in the 800 by less than a tenth of a second it went through my mind if I would have had a solid start and not stuttered when I started ( kicked my leg back for traction when the gun went off) if I would have knocked off at least a tenth. But this is still a dumb post because so many other things happen in a race without lanes that losing a tenth or two from a start is probably very minimal from the bigger things that affect a race like passing on the corner, not cutting in exactly perfect, not running right next to the line, or even drafting. Not everyone in the same 800 race is going to run the same "race"
The advantage of blocks doesn't really apply to a tactical race. It is more about helping Rudisha get through that first 100 in 11.7 rather than 11.9.
A frontrunner like Jock could certainly enjoy the benefits of the blocks.
The guys are going through 400 faster than many men and basically all women in the open 400! Of course blocks make sense!
A faster start does not guarantee a faster finish. Rudisha saving .2 on the start could mean Rudisha losing .2 for the last 100m.
Also, there is no tactical advantage for better position if EVERYONE is using blocks. The better starters will get better position just like happens today with the standing start.