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400 meters Speed Reserve and Running Economy

You are here: Home / 400 meters / 400 meters Speed Reserve and Running Economy
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May 2, 2011 by Jimson Lee 4 Comments

Last Updated on April 21, 2015 by Jimson Lee

I came across this old 2007 NY Times article on Alberto Salazar and Running Economy.

While the article applies to distance running, it certainly has a lot of parallel to running the 400 meters.

Let me explain.

With distance runners, running economy determines how fast you can run with the same amount of oxygen coming into your lungs.

Paula Radcliffe improved her running economy by 1-3% EVERY YEAR for 11 yrs

The article states Paula Radcliffe improved her running economy by 1-3 percent every year for 11 years which resulted in racing at a speed 40 seconds per mile faster.  (That is why I tell everyone years of consistent injury free training is the secret to success… no shortcuts!)

A 1% improvement for a 11.00 second 100 meter sprinter results in a 10.15 in Year 8 and 10.05 in Year 9!  I’ll take those numbers any day!

[Tweet “A 1% improvement for a 11 sec 100m sprinter results in a 10.15 in Year 8, and 10.05 in Year 9”]

400 meter sprinters

For sprinters, running economy is not that easy to calculate, as you can’t measure ATP/CP production or test for the lactic and alactic energy systems easily.  Speed is all about about how fast you can cover ground.

As a baseline, I tell 400m sprinters to run the first 200m about 1 second slower than their 200 meter personal best, and a 1.5 to 2 second differential between the first and second 200m (hence the double-200 plus 3.5 or 4 second formula)

A 22.0 second 200m PR means splits of 23.0 (with blocks) and 25.0 (with a running start).  So a good workout is 2 x 200 meters with 1 minute rest, with the first 200m with blocks or standing rolling start, and the second 200m with a running start. If you want to do a split 500m, then do 300m/200m with 90 seconds rest.

See also  The 400 meters Run-Your-Age Club

But is running the first 200m 1 second slower really the best advice?

Or having a differential of 2 seconds between the 1st and 2nd 200m splits the best advice?  According to the Berlin 2009: IAAF Biomechanical Analysis, a differential between 1 and 3 seconds is the norm.

[Tweet “Is running the first 200m one second slower for 400m really the best advice?”]

I believe success at the 400 meters all boils down to how fast you can run your first 200m fast, but relaxed.  If you are still struggling (energy costs, biomechanics, etc) over the 1st 200m, then you have to re-adjust your strategy.  Remember that you reach top speed somewhere between 40 and 80 meters, then the race become one long deceleration phase.

A lot of coaches feel endless 200m repeats at medium intensity speed between 80-90% speed (i.e. those butt locking workouts) help with your running economy or help you stay relaxed during high lactate production.  Those coaches are always yelling “relax relax” or “high knees” on intervals 7, 8 and 9.  At #10, everyone’s racing!

Some rare athletes like Lee Evans or Innocent Egbunike could run the first 200m within 0.5 seconds of their 200m personal best and still have the strength to finish the 400m.  Lee Evans PB was 20.7 and he ran his first 200m in 21.2, or 0.5 sec slower en route to his 43.86 WR.

Thus, the 22.0 second 200m PR means testing splits of 22.5, 23.0, and 23.5 for a 200m with blocks or standing start.  Your mileage may vary, or should I say, your quarter-mile may vary!

See also  Rome Golden Gala - 100 meter Videos Heats and Finals

800 meter runners

Certainly running relaxed for the first lap helps!  Especially with a paid rabbit in front of you to break the wind!

But the key is how fast your open 400m time is, and that will determine how efficient that first lap will be in terms of energy cost.  I covered that topic in the article 400m Sprinter Moving up to the 800 meters.  If you like to see some 800 meter split analysis and differentials, read here, here and here.

Category icon400 meters,  Coaching,  Track & Field Tag iconSpeed Reserve

About Jimson Lee

I am a Masters Athlete and Coach currently based in London UK. My other projects include the Bud Winter Foundation, writer for the IAAF New Studies in Athletics Journal (NSA) and a member of the Track & Field Writers of America.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Doug says

    May 8, 2011 at 10:16 am

    Hi Jimson,

    I learnt this again the hard way on saturday; my first 400m of the season. what you say is so the truth…unfortunately for me, its trying to get it right. I’ve been training 5 times a week since october and expecting to smash my last season pb, but I ran out far too hard and I died at 320m, which with all my hard work, I did not expect to do, but like you say I ran a very poorly executed race and my effort over the first 250m ruined the race. Do you have any good sessions/formulaes for practicing the exact speed you want to achieve over the first 200 (i.e 200m pb + 1 second). Also when we are told to hit the first 60m flat out, then relax. Does’relax’ mean slow up???
    Thanks….

    Reply
    • Jimson Lee says

      May 9, 2011 at 8:13 am

      @Doug – 1st, congrats on breaking the ice. The 1st one is always the toughest.

      “Relax” means to try to maintain your speed. But in reality, you are actually putting in more work only to see yourself slow down slightly. After the first 40-80m, it’s one long deceleration phase :o(

      It takes 3-5 400m races to get it right.

      Reply
  2. Abdullah says

    May 11, 2011 at 4:41 pm

    hi mr Jimson Lee
    my name is abdullah and i’m from kuwait
    i have now just 4 months trainning and i was have 1.02 in the 400meter but with the 4 months i have before 2 weeks 51sec and yesterday i run one 300 meter full speed i 36sec
    i want your advice for me and push me to trust my selft becuse 15 this month i have competition in my country
    in my country the winner have 48sec so if i have be the fourth
    and i want good training program for 400meter can u help me how i get it and from where? i want it for the summer u can contact me to my email kuwaitiss@hotmail.com
    thanks

    Reply
  3. David Jenkins says

    November 8, 2012 at 12:03 am

    Oops ….Jimson I am pretty sure Lee Evans ran 20.5 for 200m in 1968. Maybe for yards. Thanks D jenkins

    Reply

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