At what stage does an 800m become difficult?

billabong wrote:

At what stage does an 800m become difficult?

2 weeks afterwards, when you realize you have to run a longer distance, say a 1500 or 3k, which will require some measure of pain to be given, unlike the two lap fairy tale.

Take a deep breath. Relax. You'll be fine, the adrenaline in a race makes the experience of running totally different than training. That's part of the reason we race, to bring out our best. So if you've been doing good training the last 3.5 months you should have a pretty good idea what you can do, it will come and the race will be over in a flash.

799m

You'll feel fine in the race...

For me the first lap is "easy" mainly because of the adrenaline and being ready to run fast (as opposed to a whole work out). Typically the pain comes with 250 to go...locking up with 75 to go.

When people start passing you...

Not being an 800 runner, going that fast feels somewhat difficult the whole way through, but really after I've gone about 300 I start feeling uncomfortable and really start realizing how f***ing hard the next lap is going to be.

But like others said, adrenaline will make things a lot better. It's common to think 'there's no way i can hold this pace for a whole race' after a workout at race pace, but usually you can.

generally after the gun goes off

Around 500 meters you'll probably notice some oxygen debt. 400-600 is always the slowest split, but it is better to run a positive split in an 800.

Towson exile wrote:

"400-600 is always the slowest split,"

What???? You haven't watched many 800s have you.

I couldn't have said it better myself

in any 800 worth watching, with almost NO exception (there may be one out there), the last 200 is by FAR the slowest split. also, you will 'notice' oxygen debt by 200 meters, unless you are not racing seriously. you will feel pain by 300-400. you will hurt seriously by 600. and you will be @%$@#$@ing dead shortly thereafter if you are truly running to your utmost capability. also, who told you that it is always better to positive split an 800? tell that to 1972 olympic gold medal winner david wottle. http://youtube.com/watch?v=5LHid-nC45k&feature=relatedyou are saying that because that's what everyone does...doesn't mean that it is the better way.

Towson exile wrote:

Around 500 meters you'll probably notice some oxygen debt. 400-600 is always the slowest split, but it is better to run a positive split in an 800.

You contradicted yourself a little there.

When you go thru the quater in 50 point!

Honestly, I think it starts to suck before the gun even goes off, when you're standing at the line thinking about the insane thing you're about to do.

dude, just a field event guy chiming in. I used to give my mid-distance teammates crap for thinking that the 800 was so tough, but after thinking about it a bit, it is definately the most painful event in T&F.

If it doesn't hurt, you aren't doing it right.

guys, thanks for all the useful input. i feel a bit better going into the race now.