I am a Div III runner who is running the 800 leg in the DMR and then doubling back for the open 800 later that meet on the same day. So far this season, I've had one good race and one bad race when I've doubled -- any tips for refueling or preparing for that second race after a hard first race, particularly when it's an event like the 800?
Do a faster-than-normal cooldown, assuming you cooldown super easy usually. Gradually roll into a pace that is about 3:00 slower than your 800 race pace and hold that for about 2-3 miles after the first race. That will help to bring the lactate levels down quicker, although technically just laying down after a race nets the same result within about an hour my experience has never given much weight to that science. Faster cooldown and faster warmup before the second one will get your legs feeling more limber.
the biggest thing is gonna be whether or not you have put in the work to run two good races. any meets where you have raced hard multiple times will be your best practice. and hopefully you have had some tough 800 specific workouts with very high speed and long reps. 3x600, 4x400, 4x500, split 800s, etc.
I used to run the 800, 4x800 double all the time in college. I used to jog a little and then elevate my legs for a bit. Then do another warmup shortly before my next race.
Take a very easy cool down, and rest as much as possible between races.
I walked around after the first 800 to recover, then laid down on my back with my feet up and rested, keeping in the shade and/or covering my face to keep light from my eyes. Then I just jogged around easy to keep loose, and then ran the second 800 a second faster than the first one.