The Middle Distance Thread

Sacksian

Timmaay wrote: »

Indoor league 800m 16th Jan, could well be the last year I'll be needed for the team ha, I'll be doing well in the future to stay ahead of the juniors in the club ha.

Will you have much by way of 8/15 sessions done before then?

I'm trying to figure out what a reasonable target for a (very) early-season 800 would be!

Chivito550

Any chance we can rename this "The Middle Distance & Sprint Thread". There's not enough sprinters to justify a thread to itself, but there's more than enough sprint contribution here, and more than enough people running 200 and 400m to justify a change of name, which might encourage other sprinters in, in the future.

Us track fairies have to stick together right?

Sacksian

Is nothing sacred??!!

Personally I would prefer this to remain a middle-distance thread as I think it would be really valuable for the forum to have a dedicated sprint thread - which might also encourage more specialist discussion.

I think the ideas around training and conditioning are different enough to warrant the split and it's more in keeping with the usual organisation of topics within the forum.

Chivito550

Sacksian wrote: »

Is nothing sacred??!!

Personally I would prefer this to remain a middle-distance thread as I think it would be really valuable for the forum to have a dedicated sprint thread - which might also encourage more specialist discussion.

I think the ideas around training and conditioning are different enough to warrant the split and it's more in keeping with the usual organisation of topics within the forum.

Tbh this thread is The Middle Distance and Sprint Thread in all but name.

Ordinarily I'd agree. But numbers are so low that it would just be myself, Ivory Tower and happygoose talking to each other (unless Oregano State makes a return). The numbers doing middle distance isn't a great deal higher, and there's crossover in that some 800 runners like dna_leri run some 400 races.

I'll go with the consensus here, but I'm not bothered setting up a sprint thread and then try to keep it afloat. The numbers just don't justify it. I'd rather things stayed the same than that really. At least we have a core group of 7-8 on this thread. Not sure ripping 3 away from that would help this thread either.

happygoose

Oregano's hanging out with the muscle men in the Fitness forum these days. Some good stuff over there in relation to S&C, nutrition etc.

If there's a change into two threads I wouldn't know where to post, I'm hoping to do the 4 and 8.

Change the name or not change the name, I think people will keep posting as is.

The A/R has lost its A.

Sacksian

I'd say leave it the way it is but I don't think that it's a bad thing to have two separate threads. I'm hoping to have a go myself at improving on my one attempt at the 400m!

I'll just be posting m/d race results + fixtures anyway, so it doesn't make a huge difference to me but I would see it as better for the forum as an athletics resource to have dedicated threads for different types of athletics, like the xc training thread, the ultra discussion thread, etc - the specialised threads do get quite popular.

If you go back to the first few pages of this thread, quite a few lurkers joined in because they were interested in trying out the middle distance events. I'd imagine it would be the same for the sprint events.

Build the thread and they will come! Or not.

KielyUnusual

I'm hoping to run my first indoor race at the end of the month. 1500m in the National Indoor League. Its not a goal race for sure but I don't want to be completely underprepared. I'm thinking of just doing 2-3 800/1500m sessions over the next few weeks as part of my normal winter training (Higher mileage/less sharper stuff).

How do people here prepare for indoor races if they are not specifically targeting the indoor season? Has anyone started in to the middle distance sessions already? What does a typical week look like?

Timmaay

Sacksian wrote: »

Will you have much by way of 8/15 sessions done before then?

I'm trying to figure out what a reasonable target for a (very) early-season 800 would be!

Last night's session was 10x400m in 3k pace, with reducing recoveries (go from 75s to 15s and back out again) . I lasted 8 before my calves gave up ha. But 2bh I ain't really worried, I ran well enough at my 1st indoor 800m last yr off no specific training, have had a better xc season this year definitely, only potential spanner in the works is I've been an alco over Xmas and skiing last week ha.

Sacksian

Timmaay wrote: »

Last night's session was 10x400m in 3k pace, with reducing recoveries (go from 75s to 15s and back out again) . I lasted 8 before my calves gave up ha. But 2bh I ain't really worried, I ran well enough at my 1st indoor 800m last yr off no specific training, have had a better xc season this year definitely, only potential spanner in the works is I've been an alco over Xmas and skiing last week ha.

I tried a basic 3k/1500m rhythm session last Saturday and just wasn't moving comfortably at all (as well as getting DOMs for a few days afterwards!) so I'm knocking the 800 this weekend on the head.

I didn't warm up properly but, even still, I'll have to work into 800 pace - it's a year since my last track race and running anything close to 800 pace. So, I'll hopefully do the 1500 at Round 2 and 800 at AAI games. It gives me a couple of weeks to (find and) work through the gears!

Chivito550

Sacksian wrote: »

I tried a basic 3k/1500m rhythm session last Saturday and just wasn't moving comfortably at all (as well as getting DOMs for a few days afterwards!) so I'm knocking the 800 this weekend on the head.

I didn't warm up properly but, even still, I'll have to work into 800 pace - it's a year since my last track race and running anything close to 800 pace. So, I'll hopefully do the 1500 at Round 2 and 800 at AAI games. It gives me a couple of weeks to (find and) work through the gears!

Might see you in the 800 at AAI Games (I'll come DFL I'm sure). I hope it doesn't come to that, and would rather do the 60 and 200, but if I am not able for that sprinting intensity just yet, but am good for 800m intensity, I'd like to have a go at it, for fitness. It's better to be involved, even if it is an 800, than to be looking on from the sidelines. 3 and a half weeks to go, so we'll see how the recovery keeps progressing before then.

Timmaay

Sacksian wrote: »

I tried a basic 3k/1500m rhythm session last Saturday and just wasn't moving comfortably at all (as well as getting DOMs for a few days afterwards!) so I'm knocking the 800 this weekend on the head.

I didn't warm up properly but, even still, I'll have to work into 800 pace - it's a year since my last track race and running anything close to 800 pace. So, I'll hopefully do the 1500 at Round 2 and 800 at AAI games. It gives me a couple of weeks to (find and) work through the gears!

Ha racing myself fit at middle distance has worked quite well so far, so no reason to change now, I'll be aiming for 1.30 at 600m sat and see how it goes last lap!

Sacksian

I had been training for, but almost forgot to enter the 1500m in Round 2 of the league, which would have been a bit unfortunate. Just have to navigate 2 sessions between now and next weekend.

Looking forward to it now and hoping to be dragged around to a reasonable time, even if it's early in the season.

Chivito550 wrote: »

Might see you in the 800 at AAI Games (I'll come DFL I'm sure). I hope it doesn't come to that, and would rather do the 60 and 200, but if I am not able for that sprinting intensity just yet, but am good for 800m intensity, I'd like to have a go at it, for fitness. It's better to be involved, even if it is an 800, than to be looking on from the sidelines. 3 and a half weeks to go, so we'll see how the recovery keeps progressing before then.

I'm 50/50 on the AAI Games, but will probably plump for the 800m if I do make it down. If you could lead it out in about 58, that would be just great.

IvoryTower

Booked in for 400m next sat myself.

Timmaay

Timmaay wrote: »

Ha racing myself fit at middle distance has worked quite well so far, so no reason to change now, I'll be aiming for 1.30 at 600m sat and see how it goes last lap!

Worked well enough, high 2.01. 1500 at the league rd2 next up, did a nice session tonight, 3sets of 600m, 30sec rest, 200m, with 4mins between sets. 65sec pace all the way. Calves still sort now but felt good otherwise.

happygoose

Great opener Timaaaay sub 2 all the way this year. Think I seen a good opener from Chivito too in Athlone.

Chivito550

happygoose wrote: »

Great opener Timaaaay sub 2 all the way this year. Think I seen a good opener from Chivito too in Athlone.

Must have been in a dream you had recently. I'm still recovering from injury and indoor season feels like a bit of a write off at this point.

Sacksian

That's a fantastic time in January, Timmaay. Bodes well for the 1500!

Somehow, Athletics Ireland have managed to lose all of the results from 2015 from the website. If you look at the Results section on their site, it has 2015 at the top. The 2016 Rd1 results are here:

http://www.athleticsireland.ie/downloads/other/Individual_Results.pdf

Chivito550

So, who's racing at the AAI Games on Sunday? I'm down for the 800. First race since the injury and am expecting nothing special. Just using it as a fitness workout, as I haven't done any top speed or block work yet to be confident of racing in the sprints. Hoping to race over 60 and 200 in Connaghts and Nationals later this month. I'll probably be last or second last in the 800 but I can live with that!

Timmaay

Chivito550 wrote: »

So, who's racing at the AAI Games on Sunday? I'm down for the 800. First race since the injury and am expecting nothing special. Just using it as a fitness workout, as I haven't done any top speed or block work yet to be confident of racing in the sprints. Hoping to race over 60 and 200 in Connaghts and Nationals later this month. I'll probably be last or second last in the 800 but I can live with that!

Guesting the 800m league final on Sat instead. Had a rubbish enough 15 last sat, head lodged up my ass in the middle laps ha, didn't want it enough then, big sprint finish last 100m which you shouldn't have in a 1500 ha. I'll know next one tho!

KielyUnusual

Chivito550 wrote: »

So, who's racing at the AAI Games on Sunday? I'm down for the 800. First race since the injury and am expecting nothing special. Just using it as a fitness workout, as I haven't done any top speed or block work yet to be confident of racing in the sprints. Hoping to race over 60 and 200 in Connaghts and Nationals later this month. I'll probably be last or second last in the 800 but I can live with that!

I’ve signed up for the 3000m but it looks like nobody from the club is traveling down, so I may just run the BHAA Garda XC in Phoenix Park on Saturday instead (one of my favourite XC races) as it’s an awful lot less hassle. Having it on a Sunday is a bit of a detractor too. Sort of makes it dominate your whole weekend and I’ve had all Sunday races the past few weeks. Got to make it down there this Spring for at least one race though. Best of luck anyway Chivito. Should be some quality races down there.

Sacksian

I'm signed up for the 800m at the AAI Games but had such an underwhelming run last weekend in the League that I decided to have another go at the 15 as a guest in the League Final on Saturday.

Realistically, I'm more likely to run a better 1500 time than 800. I could still run both though. Having said that, I'll probably wake up very sore tomorrow and unable to do either.

Despite the bad run last weekend, it really is a buzz racing there.

IvoryTower

the 400 guest again on the sat for me

Chivito550

Didn't realise you could guest in the League Final. That's a first, as it definitely wasn't the case last year. Delighted to see this.

Saturday would probably be better for me in terms of the standard probably not being quite as hot, and there may be a few other slower 800 runners in there, and the entry fee is much cheaper too. I'll stick with Sunday anyway, as I don't want to give up a Saturday speed session for it.

Sacksian

KielyUnusual wrote: »

I’ve signed up for the 3000m but it looks like nobody from the club is traveling down, so I may just run the BHAA Garda XC in Phoenix Park on Saturday instead (one of my favourite XC races) as it’s an awful lot less hassle. Having it on a Sunday is a bit of a detractor too. Sort of makes it dominate your whole weekend and I’ve had all Sunday races the past few weeks. Got to make it down there this Spring for at least one race though. Best of luck anyway Chivito. Should be some quality races down there.

If you don't make it down Saturday or Sunday, there's still Nationals + Leinsters to come, but definitely don't leave it another year! It really is a great asset, both the quality of the track and the overall design of the arena - it's just a pleasure to run there.

Here are the entries for AAI Games on Sunday:

http://www.athleticsireland.ie/downloads/other/AAI_Ind_Games_2016_entry_list.pdf

Chivito550

Yikes, think I'll leave this. Only 22 entered, so probably be 16 allowing for drop-outs. I quickly googled every athlete in the field and almost all of them have a sub 2 clocking to their name. Slowest I found was 2:04, and I'm sure he's gone faster, that just happened to be the result I came across quickly. My PB is only 2:14, and I'm not even close to that shape. Long way to go to run on my own and get beaten by 15 seconds. Think I'll train through and be ready for some sprint races later in the month, and watch the Ireland match instead.

Sacksian

Sacksian wrote: »

I'm signed up for the 800m at the AAI Games but had such an underwhelming run last weekend in the League that I decided to have another go at the 15 as a guest in the League Final on Saturday.

Realistically, I'm more likely to run a better 1500 time than 800. I could still run both though. Having said that, I'll probably wake up very sore tomorrow and unable to do either.

Despite the bad run last weekend, it really is a buzz racing there.

Didn't get the chance to redeem my 1500m disappointment, as I ended up running the 800m in the league - bit of a stinker all round, had to chop my stride a couple of times in the first 400m and then got left for dust.

The leader ran the first 400m in 60/61 and the race was won around 1:57. I went through 400m about 61/62 and ran 2:03. A faster first 400m would really have suited me a lot more! **** buzz....

Timmaay

Sacksian wrote: »

Didn't get the chance to redeem my 1500m disappointment, as I ended up running the 800m in the league - bit of a stinker all round, had to chop my stride a couple of times in the first 400m and then got left for dust.

The leader ran the first 400m in 60/61 and the race was won around 1:57. I went through 400m about 61/62 and ran 2:03. A faster first 400m would really have suited me a lot more! **** buzz....

Least ya had someone to drag ya along haha! Good to put a name to a face tho!

KielyUnusual

Sacksian wrote: »

Didn't get the chance to redeem my 1500m disappointment, as I ended up running the 800m in the league - bit of a stinker all round, had to chop my stride a couple of times in the first 400m and then got left for dust.

The leader ran the first 400m in 60/61 and the race was won around 1:57. I went through 400m about 61/62 and ran 2:03. A faster first 400m would really have suited me a lot more! **** buzz....

Nice one. I'd be delighted with a 2.03 at this time of the year. It's hard to get good times in League races anyway as they tend to be tactical races like that. Would there be more of an advantage of front running on an indoor track with no wind or anything to contend with?

From my own point of view, I decided to forget about the XC race today and head down to Athlone for the 3k tomorrow. Training has me very strong at the moment but lack of speed may be an issue. Aim is to hit the first k in a steady paced 3 minutes and take it from there.

Sacksian

Timmaay wrote: »

Least ya had someone to drag ya along haha! Good to put a name to a face tho!

Maybe if they'd gone through 400 in 57, they'd have dragged me along - nice (solo) run yourself!

Sacksian

KielyUnusual wrote: »

Nice one. I'd be delighted with a 2.03 at this time of the year. It's hard to get good times in League races anyway as they tend to be tactical races like that. Would there be more of an advantage of front running on an indoor track with no wind or anything to contend with?

From my own point of view, I decided to forget about the XC race today and head down to Athlone for the 3k tomorrow. Training has me very strong at the moment but lack of speed may be an issue. Aim is to hit the first k in a steady paced 3 minutes and take it from there.

It's more the performance that's bugging me, and the fact that a 57 400m to finish was so destructive for my race. If they'd started with a 56/57 and I'd gone through in 59 behind them, it would have suited my 800 strengths (a relative term) more. I think front running an 800m is hard whatever the surface, to be honest.

I think you'll do well tomorrow - just keep concentrated and keep the effort up (rather than letting the laps click by), there's so many laps on an indoor 3000m it's easy to drift off - races definitely feel like they go quicker indoor!