Just thinking out loud here....
In the last USATF Masters Nationals in 2019, they had both a 400m prelim and an 800m prelim scheduled for the first day - Thursday. Unfortunately, the M60 age group was the only age group in the meet that had to suffer through a 400m prelim. Although an 800m prelim was scheduled, it wasn't run. There were 12 total competitors in the final, with 2 DNS. So, I would think if there were more than 12, there might be an 800m prelim. The fact is, in this previous USATF Championship, the M60 age group had the most 400m competitors AND the most 800m competitors of any age group. What is it about this age group? With a week to go in registration, there are already 11 signed up for the 800m (including me, I haven't registered yet). I hope they don't run a prelim, there is not one on the preliminary schedule. They could run a large group with a split track waterfall start.
Bottom line here ... If there is an 800m prelim, I will probably scratch the 800m. If there is both a 400m and an 800m prelim, I will definitely scratch the 800m. If I scratch the 800m, I'll probably run the 100m. If I lose the 400m, I most likely will scratch the 100m and focus on the 800m and 200m. The 100m will be last priority.
Anyway, next workout on Friday, I'm going to continue training pace for the 800m with a race pace 600m and then some. I'll be out in the heat of the day in order to get back in time at 6pm to watch the US Olympic trials. They say that 400m training helps your 200m race. I think 800m training will help my 400m race, as unpleasant as it is.
600's were pure torture for me. I struggled with them trying to do 3 x 600 with full rest. I eventually switched to 5 x 200 with 45 seconds rest a little faster than my target race pace. I ran 2:25 in 2016 Nationals M55 at Grand Rapids in my 2nd year back to Masters track. My best was 33,34,34,35,34. Extrapolate that to you? could you do 5 at 29, 30, 31??? So my training averaged 34 and my race averaged 36. If you can train at 31 you could race at 33? maybe ? I might register for the 400 at Ames as I only live 105 minutes north of there. I think I could go 63 or 64. run healthy!
ReplyDeleteLately, running 6 x 200m w/ 3 min rest at 28.4. I might be able to do 4 x 200 w/ 1 min rest at 30, probably not 5 x 200 w/ 45 sec.
DeleteFYI in 2016 12 were registered for 800M...no prelim.
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