I'm wondering how much speed is required to truly excel as a female 800 runner, in college (D1) and post-collegiately. Can list in terms of 200 time or 400 time.
Follow-up question: If the runner doesn't have the required speed, do you (early in the career):
a) work on speed
b) work on strength
c) move up to the mile
I suppose for some it doesn't make sense to move up to the mile if they are true 400/800 types, and you just have to work with what you've got. not everybody can just keep moving up in distance until they win (ultra runners being the exception)
As I write this out it is seeming more and more like a stupid question, but if anyone has insightful responses i will be happy to read them.