OK, I said I'd come back with an update after Nationals and here it is.
We made a few small changes to the program in the weeks leading up (just moved a few sessions around to allow for an extra recovery day plus tried to work in with some other runners so he'd have some company during the workouts). Nationals went well and he came away with a win and his first National title in a very slow tactical 1:50.25 (55.7) win over Jeff Riseley (who is coming back from injury and was racing for the first time since the Olympics, so very underdone).
We planned 8 weeks out to having a dip at running 1:46 in the heats and he went for it, but only ran 1:47.72 (season's best). Not the result we were looking for, but still the fastest time he has run from the front, so it was a pleasing result none the less. He pulled up very well for the final and even after finding himself in a box with 100 to go, got out and stormed home for the win.
Race Vid:
http://www.runnerstribe.com/coverage/250671-Australian-National-Championships/video/705008-Mens-800m-Aus-Champs
Next step is to have a week off and then get a 7 weeks mini base in before looking for some faster races in Europe.
18/3/13 Mon 40min
19/3/13 Tue 150/200 + 3x300m @400 pace
20/3/13 Wed 20min
21/3/13 Thu Milers Club 800 1:50.0 1st
22/3/13 Fri Rest
23/3/13 Sat 40min (Med school exam 5hrs)
24/3/13 Sun 3x5min @3:06km pace on grass
25/3/13 Mon 40min
26/3/13 Tue 1000 2x400 3x300 3'rec
27/3/13 Wed 30min
28/3/13 Thu 3x500 10min rec @64/65 very windy. Looked great
29/3/13 Fri Rest
30/3/13 Sat 12x60sec with 60sec rec (resp3,6,9,12@15pace) on grass
31/3/13 Sun 40min
1/4/13 Mon 30min
2/4/13 Tue Track 500 65 (relaxed) + 4x200 25 all with 3minrec
3/4/13 Wed 30min
4/4/13 Thu 3 laps strides @13 (jog bends stride straights) + 2x200 25.5 practicing cut in off the stagger
5/4/13 Fri Rest
6/4/13 Sat Melb 800m 1st 1:47.87 (52.0) won by nearly a second (switched off between 130 and 80m to go)
7/4/13 Sun 30 min
8/4/13 Mon 2x300 + 3x200 4min rec (change of pace) start at 1500 pace, with a 50m acceleration at quicker than 800 pace ramdomly within rep.
9/4/13 Tue 20 min easy
10/4/13 Wed Rest
11/4/13 Thu National Champs 800 Heat 1st 1:47.72 (52.5)
12/4/13 Fri Rest Day
13/4/13 Sat National Champs 800 Final 1st 1:50.25 (55.7)
14/4/13 Sun Off