Mo and Decathlon

clear thinking

Can a coach on here explain how decathletes who train for explosive and short distances can run 48s in a 400m race while Mo can run 50s at the end of 9.6k.

What is the physiology behind Mo being so close in time to guys that train specifically for short stuff?

ecoli

clear thinking wrote: »

Can a coach on here explain how decathletes who train for explosive and short distances can run 48s in a 400m race while Mo can run 50s at the end of 9.6k.

What is the physiology behind Mo being so close in time to guys that train specifically for short stuff?

Them guys do 10 events in 2 days. You also have to factor in the fact that different athletes have different specialties. Eaton is a 46. runner. Remember the 400 is hugely aerobic so seeing 400 and 1500m as the trade off is not uncommon. Also Mo has run that once off 14.10 pace if you look at his usual finishes he runs 53-54 so one 50. off a easy pace (relative to his ability) is not an accurate comparison

I would say that Mo does more sprinter based work than most decathletes considering they train for 10 events. Remember Salazar spends alot of time working on explosive power and sprint biomechanics with his runners

clear thinking

Seems to make sense, but presumably that 50s involved switching almost entirely to sprint muscles, that has to be dissicult to do?

I remember Sonia back in the day having a 200m kick, but cant think of an endurance event runner who could kick so well on the last 400m.

ecoli

clear thinking wrote: »

Seems to make sense, but presumably that 50s involved switching almost entirely to sprint muscles, that has to be dissicult to do?

I remember Sonia back in the day having a 200m kick, but cant think of an endurance event runner who could kick so well on the last 400m.

As was raised previously in a different thread the dynamics of 10k running since the decline of Bekele and the rise of marathon standards has turned many 10k races into kickers races. There are a few who have had close to similar closing speeds in the past but the difference was they were kicking off quicker paces.

If you look at the Ethiopians like Bekele and Almeriew who have closed in 24. for last 200m it is not that uncommon to think of them having sub 50 top end speed. Gebremeskel also closed nearly as fast as Mo in London last year but bad positioning cost him. I remember that team championship race he jogged till the last lap and just before the bell kicked (almost as if he was only racing the 400 thats how fresh he was) but that was from a rolling start also as opposed to block starts so that comes into account as well

robinph

It would all depend on how had you had been running beforehand, and that UK champs last 400m was after a very slow 9600m for Mo. He'd not be running that pace for as long at the end of a faster race.

Pherekydes

I'd like to see Mo try a 400m after 15 or 20 full effort High Jumps. Not to mention the other stuff.

shels4ever

Pherekydes wrote: »

I'd like to see Mo try a 400m after 15 or 20 full effort High Jumps. Not to mention the other stuff.

I'd like to see if he could actually lift the shot never mind fling it 15M

martyboy48

How much time would be lost on block start as opposed to running start... (I don't even know if there would be , new to this track stuff)

robinph

martyboy48 wrote: »

How much time would be lost on block start as opposed to running start... (I don't even know if there would be , new to this track stuff)

It takes a while before sprinters get up to top speed, and the fastest race is the 200m in terms of average speed over the distance. There are various analysis on 'tinterweb about how fast Bolt is at various points in a race, but here are a couple to get you started:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1283999-usain-bolt-mph-breaking-down-amazing-speed-from-olympic-sprinter
http://www.sungate.co.uk/?p=782

walshb

martyboy48 wrote: »

How much time would be lost on block start as opposed to running start... (I don't even know if there would be , new to this track stuff)

Definitely time will be lost. Maybe a second even. Maybe more?

woodchopper

Pherekydes wrote: »

I'd like to see Mo try a 400m after 15 or 20 full effort High Jumps. Not to mention the other stuff.

Mo has run two 400ms in 50 flat at altitude after running 6 miles of intervals at 26.40 pace!

walshb

woodchopper wrote: »

Mo has run two 400ms in 50 flat at altitude after running 6 miles of intervals at 26.40 pace!

Yes, but the question was asked how he'd do after full effort high jumps.

YFlyer

Mo Farah could be more 'explosive' after the high jump. Obviously depending on time between the high jump and the 400m. He does do plyometrics.