Decathlon 1500

its because 9 out of the 10 events they do are speed/power based, so the 1500 times are relatively slower because decathletes spend a very small proportion of their training time on it. their 1500 is a lot more respectable than any 1500 runner's shot put or pole vault would be!

Well said dec! The decathletes train longer and harder than nearly any distance runner would ever attempt to. Some of them are decent 1500 runners (Janvrin, McMullen, Ryba). But why should they bust their butts when their place is already set?

the dec-er's at my school don't train distance ever, they just try to survive it, they're tough guys I suppose

Kip Janvrin was a pretty decent distance runner for a decathlete. He was 9th in the state small-school XC race in HS.

Wasn't Daley Thompson a 4:20 1500 guy?

My favorite part of the decathlon is that the guys crumple to the track like they're going to die at the conclusion of the event, as opposed to galavanting or praying or throwing themselves into the crowd or whatever. I don't know why. Maybe they would come off better if they had a decathlon gala after the event ended or something.

As one great distance runner (E-man) once put it: "Nine Mickey Mouse events followed by a slow 1500 does not the 'greatest athlete' make."

It'd be interesting to see the 1500m moved to the last event on the 1st day. Maybe just switch the days of the decathlon. Then you'd really see some stuff in the 1500m.

dec wrote:

Wasn't Daley Thompson a 4:20 1500 guy?

Yes, but that was when he has young (and a lot lighter). As he got better at the throws he got slower at the 1,500.

Because the points difference is so small in the 1,500 he usually used to jog around watching the West Germans rather than pushing himself.

why are the decathaletes slow 1500s?? well... ever see ElG shot put and 110 hurdle?

[quote]steve spence wrote:

My favorite part of the decathlon is that the guys crumple to the track like they're going to die at the conclusion of the event, as opposed to galavanting or praying or throwing themselves into the crowd or whatever.[quote]

You'd probably crumple to the track too after experiencing the physical and emotional toll of the first 9 events, and then running a 1500 at 11pm.

dec wrote:

its because 9 out of the 10 events they do are speed/power based, so the 1500 times are relatively slower because decathletes spend a very small proportion of their training time on it. their 1500 is a lot more respectable than any 1500 runner's shot put or pole vault would be!

Exactly. Plus the Czech guy already had it in the bag, it's not like he needed to win the thing. Did I mention he set an olympic record in the decathalon?

Janvrin is a great 1500m runner and the guy trains like it. He's a stud and is running all the time.

McMullen is a great 1500m runner. I've personally worked with him and discussed training with him. He runs no more than 20min once a week during the fall and does weekly 6 min runs during season at most. he's got decent genes tho...(see: Paul McMullen).