How do you get perfect form like Sebastian Coe?

Coe's Advocate wrote:

Also, what's the best way to land on your feet when you're running sub 1:50 800m?

Do you actually have problems staying on your feet at that pace? I know it's fast, but you gotta be doing something horribly wrong. Post a video, I'm sure it will be obvious... and entertaining.

stater of the obvious wrote:

Coe's Advocate wrote:

Also, what's the best way to land on your feet when you're running sub 1:50 800m?

Do you actually have problems staying on your feet at that pace? I know it's fast, but you gotta be doing something horribly wrong. Post a video, I'm sure it will be obvious... and entertaining.

Lol...no, it's just with like 150 meters to go I start to heel strike badly sometimes(after going 25,27,28,33 in 200m splits last race)

4x200=800

If you're running 150 meters after going 25,27,28,33 then you're running 950 meters, not 800.

MATHguy wrote:

4x200=800

If you're running 150 meters after going 25,27,28,33 then you're running 950 meters, not 800.

NO NO. that's not what I meant. I meant after 650m in the race I start to heel strike badly. 800m-650m=150m left to go. That's how you do math.

Anyways, more thoughts on the question?

For one thing, Coe knows how to pace properly. If he went out in 21.5, he might look a little rugged the last 150 as well.

Learn the event.

Peter Coe discusses form in "Training Distance Runners"--chapter 1. He says it took years to get Seb's mechanics worked out.

The best part about that page is the photo with all of the lines drawn on it in MS Paint, as though some arrows are scientific.

The photo has Cram in the middle of the drive (?) phase, while Coe and McKean are both floating in the air. It then purports that the position of Coe's feet in mid air is constant for the whole running motion. Finally, he draws a sweet MS paint line that is "perfectly vertical" that is clearly not parallel to Coe's leg or perpendicular to the bottom of his foot. Same for McKean, the vertical line drawn between his legs has zero parallelism with either of his legs.

Good proof, science man! He should talk to that other guy who trains people to run a sub-2:00 marathon by fixing their stride. Together, they could probably get a guy to run sub-1:30.

Run more.

Practice.

Coe's Advocate wrote:

stater of the obvious wrote:

Do you actually have problems staying on your feet at that pace? I know it's fast, but you gotta be doing something horribly wrong. Post a video, I'm sure it will be obvious... and entertaining.

Lol...no, it's just with like 150 meters to go I start to heel strike badly sometimes(after going 25,27,28,33 in 200m splits last race)

You are running the first part to fast, if you can only manage a 33 last 200.

Ideally run 27.5, 27.5, 27.5, 27.5.

Ah yes, because all the world's best run perfectly even splits. I agree 25, 27, 28, 33 isn't ideal, but dear God, 4x 27.5 is NOT much better.

Brohm wrote:

Ah yes, because all the world's best run perfectly even splits. I agree 25, 27, 28, 33 isn't ideal, but dear God, 4x 27.5 is NOT much better.

It is much better. A 25 first 200, 27, 28 and 33 last 200 and 1:53 overall is like a world record holder doing 22 first 200, 24, 25 and 30 last 200. That is more than a bit sillier than any top runner I've ever heard of. 49 first lap is routine for pacemakers and those immediately following them. 48 has happened (has it happened more than a few dozens times at most), most notably 48.10 in one of Kipketer's 1:41 runs. Has anyone ever gone through the bell in 47.x in an 800 race?

So yes I'm pretty sure 50.5, 50.5 is more feasible than 46, 55.

in the sub 1:50 800m thread, oldsub4 talks about mechanics and how to keep form. If i recall correctly, he said form drills 3x a week. High knees, Kicks, kick butts, quick feet, hurdle drills, hill sprints, and 30m flys all help emphasize godform that will helpfully teach you to remember form when you're tired.

What is this? Did Ryan Hall come up with it?

[quote]not knowledgable wrote:

godform quote]

Coe's form was not quite perfect. He felt that his right arm was always a bit 'wingy'

MR WISE GUY wrote:

What is this? Did Ryan Hall come up with it?

[quote]not knowledgable wrote:

godform quote]

This is what Coe's godform looks like:

My form used to make Coe look right spastic by comparison. But he was 20 seconds faster in the 800 so no one really took notice.