Possible Workout? wrote:
I was discussing this workout with a friend, and we were debating if it is actually possible or not.
This came about because my friend remembered Centro talking about doing a workout that was 8-10x400m under 52 seconds with 2:00 rest. This was talked about at a running camp that was in summer 2014. I didn’t think a workout like that would be possible, so I’m curious to hear everyone’s thoughts here.
Keep in mind that Centro ran his 800 PR of 1:44.62 in June 2015, so he wasn’t even a 1:44 guy yet. He is essentially doing 8-10x400m at a little faster than 800m pace with only 2:00 rest.
I feel like running half of the 800m race distance at faster than race pace for that many reps with that little rest is asking a little too much. If this workout is possible, what type of runner would be the best bet to successfully complete it?
Athlete - 800m PR - Workout Pace to run under
Centro - 1:44.62 - 52.0
Rudisha - 1:40.91 - 50.2
El Guerrouj - ??? - ???
Bekele - ??? - ???
Farah - ??? - ???
Lagat - ??? - ???
Any others that would be a different type of runner to consider?
Assume all athletes are in their 800m prime. This is also assuming that a couple of those guys could run much faster than they actually did in an open 800. Considering El Guerrouj (1:47.18) and Lagat (1:46.00) closed the 2004 Olympic 1500m final in 1:46.xx, they likely could’ve run faster than their open 800m PRs in an 800m race. We also have to guess a little bit on 800m ability of the distance guys like Bekele and Farah (he did run 1:48.24 in 2008).
Thoughts?
At 800m pace maybe. But that still stupid fast.
In a similar fashion I used to do 4-6 x 800 at a tick faster than 1600m pace. But it was standing rest for 3min I think. 2:12-2:14 I think and my 1600m PR was 4:27. Guess how fast I went out in that 1600?....2:12.
A week before state I did 3 x 1600m at 4:43-45 with a 1mi jog between. Ran a 9:32 at state....guess how fast I did the first mile?...4:45.
Alan