Michael Johnson says the 800 is the hardest race in track & field

It's not clear what he means by hardest - most difficult, most painful, requires the most total exertion, hardest to run well tactically, etc.

The fact that the 800m is the fastest race not run in lanes (relays aside) adds a level of tactical difficulty that you don't see in the shorter races and means that it's harder to recovery from a bad tactical move or situation than in longer races.

IMO, I don't think that Michael Johnson knows what he's talking about. Seriously.

I agree, the 800 is the only race where a bad day might place you significantly outside your PR.

Ex. Duane Soloman USAs 2015 : 3:08

Truthfully said wrote:

I agree, the 800 is the only race where a bad day might place you significantly outside your PR.

Ex. Duane Soloman USAs 2015 : 3:08

He stopped 50 meters from the finish line and didn't move for like a minute or more maybe, I was there I saw.

Spoken like a man who never dared to even attempt a steeplechase.

Truthfully said wrote:

I agree, the 800 is the only race where a bad day might place you significantly outside your PR.

Ex. Duane Soloman USAs 2015 : 3:08

Ummm ever heard of the marathon?

The 400 is harder than the 200; the 800 is harder than the 400; the 1500 is harder than the 800; the 5000 is harder than the 1500 . . . etc.

I would agree.

800m the hardest, probably followed by the 400H and then either steeple or 400m.

As an 800m athlete I can say it's all relative. I dread the pain of the 800m so so much more than that of a 400m, the 400 is a skoosh compared to the pain of a 800m.

Then comes the 1500m/mile where the pain is much more prolonged, but not quite as intense as the last 200m of an 800m.

As i said, it's all relative and depends on the individual's background, whether they come from a speed base or strength base. BUT, the most painful seconds I have ever endured in my life have been in the 800m.

huil wrote:

As an 800m athlete I can say it's all relative. I dread the pain of the 800m so so much more than that of a 400m, the 400 is a skoosh compared to the pain of a 800m.

Then comes the 1500m/mile where the pain is much more prolonged, but not quite as intense as the last 200m of an 800m.

As i said, it's all relative and depends on the individual's background, whether they come from a speed base or strength base. BUT, the most painful seconds I have ever endured in my life have been in the 800m.

As someone that has run just about everything I tend to agree with Johnson, the pain you feel in an 800 is different than any other race, why do you think it's a big deal when someone negative splits? Usually it's a positive split because of how tiring and painful that last 200m is, 1500< everyone is negative splitting usually even in WRs especially the last lap.

huil wrote:

Then comes the 1500m/mile where the pain is much more prolonged, but not quite as intense as the last 200m of an 800m.

That's because 800m runners pace themselves in the worst way (positive splitting). If you do similar positive splitting in the 1500m, then the last 200m will be just as painful as the last 200m in a positive split 800m. Stop positive splitting the 800m if you do not want to feel so much pain and if you want to run your fastest.

Widdle wrote:

huil wrote:

Then comes the 1500m/mile where the pain is much more prolonged, but not quite as intense as the last 200m of an 800m.

That's because 800m runners pace themselves in the worst way (positive splitting). If you do similar positive splitting in the 1500m, then the last 200m will be just as painful as the last 200m in a positive split 800m. Stop positive splitting the 800m if you do not want to feel so much pain and if you want to run your fastest.

It's common knowledge that a two second positive differential between the first 400m and second 400m is the fastest way to run the 800m. Just look at all the world records set.

To go out slow and try and negative split the 800m is not a good way to run the race (if you want to run as fast a time as possible). It's VERY difficult to get that time back that you sacrifice on the first lap.

Widdle wrote:

huil wrote:

Then comes the 1500m/mile where the pain is much more prolonged, but not quite as intense as the last 200m of an 800m.

That's because 800m runners pace themselves in the worst way (positive splitting). If you do similar positive splitting in the 1500m, then the last 200m will be just as painful as the last 200m in a positive split 800m. Stop positive splitting the 800m if you do not want to feel so much pain and if you want to run your fastest.

MJ is specifically talking about the pain of an 800m that is run for time. If you're running the 800m for time, you are necessarily positive splitting.

Totally agree with MJ

most difficult/painful/hardest

1. 800m

2. 3000m SC

3. 5000m

4. Decathalon

5. Mile

Phife wrote:

Totally agree with MJ

most difficult/painful/hardest

1. 800m

2. 3000m SC

3. 5000m

4. Decathalon

5. Mile

My vague rule is "more laps= more pain." What ever the event the last 1/4 to 1/3 always hurts.

youth coach here. More kids cry/collapse/etc after or during an 800 than any other race. Doesnt help that they usually run them late in the meet. Fatigue and heat play a factor.

Widdle wrote:

huil wrote:

Then comes the 1500m/mile where the pain is much more prolonged, but not quite as intense as the last 200m of an 800m.

That's because 800m runners pace themselves in the worst way (positive splitting). If you do similar positive splitting in the 1500m, then the last 200m will be just as painful as the last 200m in a positive split 800m. Stop positive splitting the 800m if you do not want to feel so much pain and if you want to run your fastest.

Some are so stubborn they would positive split an ultramarathon.

Michael Johnson is wrong. The 800 is over too quick, less than 2 minutes. The 5k is the most painful event. You will be at your VO2 max for 10+ minutes.

I found the 1500 to be harder to recover from than the 800. Not so much aerobically but just the amount of time spent exercising at a vigorous level seemed to hang on longer. I was more competitive at the 800 but ran equivalent 1500 effort times included in the points tables. Exceeding Lactate threshold could come quicker in a short race if not paced well but it just seemed that the extra time really got to me, especially the indoor mile. I loved both races but the mile was harder for me even though i performed equally in the 800. I never threw up after an 800 but almost always did in the indoor season after the mile.