I'm considerin using blocks next track season for my 800 races.
Here are my reasons.
I average about 57 secs per lap in the 800. My GF runs a 400 in about 62 sec and she uses blcoks for the 400. So since 57<62, it follows that blocks will help me in 800.
If I ever get down to 61-62 per lap in the 1600m I may use blocks for the 1600m as well.
I doubt they'll let you.
http://trackandfield.about.com/od/middledistance/p/middledistance.htm
1500/1600 is a waterfall start where you step to the line.
Obviously you don't race 800/1600 much...
nah mane. i use blocks for the 3200. they help so much, but sometimes i get a little too anxious and i false start. totally worth it though. i've run some big PR's from using blocks
You don't need blocks. Just start from a crouch start - as you are not blasting off like a sprinter you should not slip.
There may be a balance between time saved on the start and energy used getting up from the crouch position
I wouldn't necessarily advocate it, but it's not like it hasn't been done before:
Crouch Start in distance races:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP_NzZP_LK0
0:52
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bz7srBZL5ps&feature=related
0:42
All three athletes in the crouch will eventually be Olympic medalists, with 5 medals (4 gold) between them.
800 meter runner wrote:
I'm considerin using blocks next track season for my 800 races.
Did you bother 'considerin' the rules?
http://www.iaaf.org/mm/Document/Competitions/TechnicalArea/05/47/81/20091027115916_httppostedfile_CompRules2010_web_26Oct09_17166.pdfRule 162.3, second paragraph:
"In races longer than 400m, the command shall be “On your marks” and when all athletes are steady, the gun shall be fired. An athlete shall not touch the ground with his hand or hands during the start."
Just how well do you think you can use blocks without touching the ground with your hands?
Nor can you use a traditional 3 point. But you can use a sort-of 3 point start where you touch the top of your spike.
it is not allowed so forget this 6th grade crappola