Which event to focus on?

Training Advice/Discussion High School

10 years ago 03/02/2014 1:59pm EST

I am a HS runner that trains mainly for mid distance. My coach allows me for the most part to decide which race I want to do and he will give me the workouts I need to do well in it. I have run 4:24 in the mile in indoor early in the season, and 1:55 in the 800 late season, with a 9:38 2 mile on the same day as the 800 (after). I have rarely run more than 40 mpw even during xc season, and am wondering if I should focus on shorter races (400-800-1600) this outdoor season, and keep the mileage low, or suggest to my coach to increase the mileage to 50-60 this outdoor season and work on my mile-2mile ability, and use my speed to my advantage in the kick. I think I have something good going in the 800 but I know I can be a stronger miler if I focus on the 2 mile, and the mile is probably what I should focus on going into college. Any tips on what I should do, and if college coaches would be more interested if I was running 4:15 or better in the mile or if I were to focus on the 8 and run 1:53 or so. Based on my mileage and 2 mile time off a double what do you think Id be able to run in outdoor 3200?

Thanks for helping me out

10 years ago 03/02/2014 2:08pm EST

re: MidDBrajij

I think your best bet is 800/1600 focus. The college coaches will look at is as "okay this kid has speed and is a solid miler, but he lacks aerobic strength, which means he'll be easy to develop since he has so many things he can add to training to improve"

10 years ago 03/02/2014 3:05pm EST

re: NotAustin18

I think you should focus on the mile. Run the other races including the mile relay but workouts should be mile paced.

10 years ago 03/02/2014 3:23pm EST

re: 2 X Around

2 mile/mile. You'll have better endurance for an 8k or 10k in college and you'll need to get through those well enough to compete with the big boys in Track. Raising your mileage will also better equip you for college training and the miles your college coach will want you to run in the summer before starting college.

10 years ago 03/02/2014 4:23pm EST

re: MidDBrajij

Go for the 800 now and run the other races enough that you trim your PRs below 4:20 for the mile and below 9:20 for the two mile. College coaches love under trained runners because they see lots of room for improvement. Coaches will drool if you get that 800 time down to the 1:50-1:52 range. With a sub 4:20 mile and a sub 9:20 two mile to boot (off the low mileage training) it will show that you have aerobic potential to move up in distance in college, but also a lot of room for improvement.

My guess is that you are already at, at least, a 9:28 two mile if you were fresh in that race. So for 3200 right now you should probably be able to run 9:25. By outdoor season you definitely should be sub 9:20, without increasing your mileage.

Summary: focus on the 8. Off the low mileage try to get the mile time down to 4:19.xx (or equivalent 1600, 4:17.xx) and the two mile time down to 9:19.xx (9:15.xx 3200)

10 years ago 03/02/2014 4:25pm EST

re: thekidsareallrightbutnotreally

but feel free to increase your mileage slightly so the transition to college is less abrupt. Maybe take it to 45-50 mpw.

10 years ago 03/02/2014 4:51pm EST

re: thekidsareallrightbutnotreally

Thanks for the tips. I have been doing 10 miles on Sundays for my long run, should I keep this or make it a bit longer? Also, I'm still a junior so I'm not focused yet on transitioning to college training just trying to improve as much as possible. I think I will up my mileage to 45-50+ once I get into base building for outdoors and keep it there for the first few months of the season. I'll probably run a lot of 8s, miles, and 2 miles in doubles with some 4x4s at the end of meets. Then I'll find out which is my best event (probably the mile) and try to take my time down at the end of the season. hopefully this helps improve my strength in all races and I'll be able to see my potential in the mile this year in the 4:teens

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