I had tendonitis in my knee and couldn't even go up stairs with my left leg the previous eight months and was only able to do pool running and stationary bike before running 2:05.8. The next race I was put into the fast heat by mistake and although I was in dead last through 350m or so, I could see the clock reading something shocking to me like 49, so I started to slow down a lot so that the clock would say 60 or so at 400m. This was long distance thinking. You cannot think like that in an 800m. If you get out fast at 400m, don't even think about it and just keep going hard to the end. You cannot start out fast, slow down to avoid rigging, and then speed back up again. I ended up at 2:06.6 and regret it big time as this was my one shot at breaking 2 or going low 2. Don't get out completely crazy but get out close to the regulars at 800m, and you'll be out sub 60 and have a shot at 2:05 or better.