800 metre running

[collisster]

hi guys I'm after a bit of help with 800m running, the type of running I do atm is 10km. but I've been chosen to do 800m for sports day next Wednesday, what training should I do for this because I've been having a practice and I get really really tired trying to run at a faster pace for that long. I've read that its quite a tactical race but I'm not bothered about that I just don't want to look like a complete idiot being too slow.

cheers

 

[peetee]

you'v got under a week, you cant really train physically for it in this time now, mentally you could do the run a few times before then and figure a pace out for yourself, simple enough?

 

[weringo]

I used to do 800m during the athletics season although I was more of a long distance runner like yourself. I'm not expert on training for the event but I used to practise by doing anything from 400m to 1500m runs.

In terms of tactics not every one is the same but I prefered the Kelly Holmes tactic, that being staying a few places off the lead or even at the back of the pack for the first lap, just don't let yourself get to far off the leaders. Then on the third 200m slowly make your way up the pack and use your saved energy to sprint the last 150-200m.

 

[firstborn]

you'v got under a week, you cant really train physically for it in this time now

In terms of tactics not every one is the same but I prefered the Kelly Holmes tactic, that being staying a few places off the lead or even at the back of the pack for the first lap, just don't let yourself get to far off the leaders. Then on the third 200m slowly make your way up the pack and use your saved energy to sprint the last 150-200m.

 

[big_white_dog84]

you'v got under a week, you cant really train physically for it in this time now, mentally you could do the run a few times before then and figure a pace out for yourself, simple enough?

In terms of tactics not every one is the same but I prefered the Kelly Holmes tactic, that being staying a few places off the lead or even at the back of the pack for the first lap, just don't let yourself get to far off the leaders. Then on the third 200m slowly make your way up the pack and use your saved energy to sprint the last 150-200m.

 

[Gilly]

The Kelly Holmes thing only really works if you know your field. I knew I could run at 95% for the duration of an 800 metre race and knew myself well enough and trusted my ability to do that. It generally worked well for me - but you need to be able to zone out what everyone else is doing. It helped that I still had a kick left with 100m to go.

If you're working off everyone else and you do have a kick (if you don't, you can't employ the Kelly Holmes tactic) then you can stay behind the leaders and employ a sprint finish. Very simple tactics.

The second won me a few races, the first one a lot more. Depends on you and your running style.

 

[Killa_ken]

do this everyday and you should definately increase your speed:

go to a track, sprint 100m walk 100m spring 100m walk 100m etc etc. do this until you have sprinted a total of 800m.

remember, at the end you ALWAYS have more to give, you may be tired but trust me your body still has a lot more you can use.

 

[Gilly]

That won't improve speed, that's for stamina.

 

[collisster]

well its on wednesday I'm just going to run 800m round the track on monday see what times I get, I havent a clue who I'm running against probably a load of people the year above and some rugby players haha