Run-Down Forums

[Frank Sellors]

From Frank Sellors

Guitzan@cs.com

I can't help thinking that top athletes these days are "playing it safe"; for example, if I were Michael Johnson I really would want to have a go at the 800 rather than keep repeating my efforts at 200/400.
Surely, Michael must want to try something different, to extend his experiences as a runner, and running in the 800 would certainly give him that.
Come on Michael, really start mixing it and leave the safety of " lane running "

Frank Sellors( U.K. )

[Dan]

I used to think MJ would make a great 800m runner, based on how strong he remained throughout the 400m and how easy a 50 second first lap would be to a 43 guy! However, he really bulked up before his amazing 200's in Atlanta, and I think that's partly why it took him so long to get back to top 400m form. Also, MJ himself has said several times there's no way he could run a good 800. I may have it slightly wrong, but I believe his comment was that he can run a good 398m, and coast the last 2m...

Dan

p.s. There's nothing "safe" about lane running -- I've had a guy cut me off (moved from lane 4 to lane 1 at the 200m mark) in a high school 400m. Of course, it wasn't televised internationally.

[Indeurr]

I think that, with the respect to the guy cutting you off, you should mention that on the standard athletic track, 200 m starting lines are placed at the end of a straight and the beginning of a bent.
It is so because the standard track is made of two straights of 100 m each, and two bents of 100 m each.
Indeur-Dekolak

[Dan]

I may be missing something ... but what exactly is your point?

Dan