I think the comments that Bolt's SPEED or EXPLOSIVENESS is a LIABILITY in the 400 says it all about so many of the users of this site.
There's so much over-thinking here, so much reliance on this or that formula, that you've forgotten the very essence of this sport: Be as strong and as fast as you f**king can!
It doesn't just apply to the 400, though. I KNOW there are distance runners on this site who won't go more than 85% in a speed workout, or won't do an extra pullup or pushup (do you guys even do those? wouldn't want to get too tired before that next workout! but wait, what's even the point of the workout? to get stronger? but...the pushup will help with that too...)
It's so easy to get caught up in all these theories -- trust me, I used to do it all the time -- but it's simply not the point of the sport. Same with those stupid wussy sit-and-kick races.
So how can I make this more clear?
SPEED IS NOT A LIABILITY IN SPRINTS, JUMPS, OR DISTANCE
STRENGTH IS NOT A LIABILITY IN SPRINTS, JUMPS, OR DISTANCE