Possible to break 2 minutes in 800m as Sophomore?

Question

This year (my freshman year) I ran a 2:04.09 for track season. I was wondering if you think i can get that below 2 minutes for next season if i train very hard and start next week? What should I do for my base phase? I was thinking of maybe peaking at 40-45 mpw and do strides after every easy run. One day a week i would do a tempo run and then should the rest just be logging miles?? I am kind of new to base training and am wondering if putting in speed ie 200s every couple of weeks will help my performances come spring track 2009? I would love some help on how to go about this.

Answer 1

What would also help is if you run CC. Our 800 guy should have broken 2 this year but he did football instead and his spot as our fastest 800 runner got taken away until a few nights ago.

Other than that, I'm not coach so I can't tell you what kind of workouts to do. I'm a 2 miler my self( only a 2:14...lol) but the 800 guy at our school usually do about the same work outs as i do.

But you seriously should if not will get under next year.

Good luck and happy training!

Answer 2

It's possible, I did it and now I'm a senior. Take a long break though after the season. I'd say maybe a month off so your body can repair itself and you're able to rest your joints. I'm currently 1:56.xx and only put in about 35 mpw of actual long runs, plus about another 15 mpw in my track workouts. For speed, just do about 6 100m strides then stretch. You're speed and turnover will be developed in the middle of the track season next year after you have the base needed. Start your tempo runs once you get up to the 35+ mpw range and go from 3 miles to no more than 5. Also add in fartlicks nearing the 45 mpw range. Weight train lightly, working on all the muscles that help with keeping a good form. Leave the rest up to your coaches.

Answer 3

yes u can so do it!! If u get 2:04.09, u sure can. Every second counts in running, but u probably can do it. Just practice A LOT!! Drink a lot of water, eat protein food and PRACTICE

Answer 4

It might be possible, but what's your hurry? The kind of workouts you're planning could lead to an injury. Make certain you build enough rest into this schedule! Do you want to break 2:00 minutes as a sophomore or run 1:57 as a senior (when your body matures a little more). To do this, you need to stick around!

What's a stress fracture or shinsplints going to do to your career? I'm all for building a good base, but there are no shortcuts to the natural maturation process. Live to run as a junior and senior (and in college). When you are ready to break 2:00, you'll scream right by it — or you can always move up!

I ran 4:21 in college and always wondered if I ever could have broken 2:00 in the half. Never got a chance to try it because I was running the mile and the three (where I belonged). Best high school half mile time? 2:04, but I rarely ran the race. Most meets saw me in the mile, 2-mile, open 400 and 4x400. Those were full days.

Answer 5

you're on the right track

keep running distance during the summer and during cross country season, and then start mixing in those 200's come around track season and you'll be fine come around mid-end of the season

Answer 6

Sure, anything is possible with the right training routine, you need to do speed work, distance work (running more then a 800 meter, running technique to run with less effort, breathing technique, and some light weight training. all this adds up to a stronger runner and remember race strategy is important

too, you can't go out to slow or to fast and know when to make your move to the finish line (thats where the speed work comes in      Good Luck

Answer 7

yea that is definitely possible. you jst need to remember that you should only be doing speed work once, maybe twice a week.

the 200m repeats is a great idea, a 800m all american at my school said running 200m repeats x 20 times with 2 min rest between each run at 85 percent maximum was the ebst workout you could do as far as speedwork goes. Alternate that with distance runs and 400m repeats x 8 with walk lap as your rest.

It will definitely help your performance. just make sure you rest when you need to rest and don't burn yourself out. You will break 2min next year I am sure, and maybe 150 some day... its a good chance.

as a frosh I was told I wouldnt make the varsity 400m team because frosh couldn;t run faster then seniors and I ran the 400 in 48 seconds, which even bested the fastest runner on the team... dont let people tell you to slow down or not be your best you can be. You go be you, you decide how good you will be.

Best of luck to you. tear that 2 min mark to shreds.

good luck.

Answer 8

***

Yes, all other conditions equal, you can break 2 next year.

You have the genetics for that type of time, your 2:04 indicates that.

Likely, you could have broken 2 this year.  

Other variables affecting performance include motivation, coach, injuries, training, nutrition, opportunity.

FOR THE FUTURE***

Plan with your coach.  Tell him/her your goals.

"Next year" is really a long ways away for a runner your age, and for the race distance you are prepping for.  Create intermediate goals, likely for cross-country this year, and track next.

Cross-country the next six months is your next season.  Take advantage of your speed, but train for the longer distances.  Enjoy the season, enjoy your teammates.

Once the season is over, begin prepping for next year's track season.

GENERALLY***

Don't just log miles.  Condition your body for your goal performance and distance.  Consider the base phase as a phase when you are not running slow and long (a common error decades ago), but a time to condition your body to run at your target pace, but with lots of rest.  (Advice:  get and enjoy Jack Daniel's The Running Formula for a complete four-phase training cycle.)

Likely, beginning next Nov/Dec, a three quality-day training cycle will make sense for you:

-one day for longer intervals

-one for sprints

-one longer run for steady running for cardiovascular endurance.

You may still run 5, 6, or 7 days a week, but these three quality days can give you the strength (=speed) and stamina (=endurance) you are looking for.

Consider cross-training, even at your age.  More and more runners are turning to Spinning to gain strength for running (swimmers are turning to Spinning to activate muscles from multiple angles, and cut weight!).

REGARDS!***

Running_Dad