When Michael Johnson became the first man to win the 200-400 double at the same Olympics, a lot of people didn't know that feat was accomplished TWICE by a female athlete. USA’s Valerie Brisco-Hooks did it in the Eastern Boycott Olympic Games of Los Angeles in 1984. Then Marie-Jose Perec … [Read more...] about 100-200-400 Sprint Doubles and Triples
4x400
When Should an Athlete Double Up?
This is part 2 of the article Running 100 Meters before your Big Race. With the USATF National Championships around the corner, you have to ask yourself when is a good time to double. Unlike the Olympics or Olympic Trails spread over 8 –10 days, the USA system is 4 days long and only 3 days for … [Read more...] about When Should an Athlete Double Up?
World Championships Relay Team Selection Policy
Interesting email from the USATF this week. Relay selections has always been a center of controversy ever since the 1936 Olympics. Prior to 1936, the 4x100m relay pool was a special group of athletes outside of the individual 100 meter athletes. Then, usually the medal winners at the Trials … [Read more...] about World Championships Relay Team Selection Policy
How to Run an Indoor 400 meters – 2009 Euro Champs
Thoughts on the 2009 European Indoor Athletics Championships in Torino What is the best way to run an indoor 400 meters? Run hard, but relaxed to the break at 150m, grab the lead, and try to hang on staying relaxed as much as possible? Surge if a runner attempts to pass you on the … [Read more...] about How to Run an Indoor 400 meters – 2009 Euro Champs
Baton Exchanges: How to Run the 4x200m & 4x400m
The post on the CIS indoor 4x200 meter relay showed some interesting analysis on how to properly exchange batons for a relay. April is around the corner, and that means Relay season. Penn, Drake, Texas... you name it! I prefer to use a visual exchange for both 4x200 and 4x400m relay. The 1968 USA … [Read more...] about Baton Exchanges: How to Run the 4x200m & 4x400m
Sebastian Bayer – 8.71m Long Jump
The world is still buzzing about Sebastian Bayer's 8.71m Long Jump on his 6th and final jump. And it wasn't performed with a fancy 2-and-a-half hitch kick either. Here's a good question for Track and Field Coaches: In the long jump and triple jump, should you try to win the jump on your first … [Read more...] about Sebastian Bayer – 8.71m Long Jump
Indoor 4×400 meter Relay – Put Your Best Runner First
Thank you, Dale Garland of Great Britain. He quoted on BBC that you should put your best runner first on an indoor 4×400 meter relay. I always use this strategy on indoor relays such as 4x200 and 4x400. It's better to get in front, and let them catch you. So I agree with Dale. With … [Read more...] about Indoor 4×400 meter Relay – Put Your Best Runner First
IAAF 4×400 Meter Relay Split Times from Beijing 2008
The IAAF article can be found here. Click here to download the PDF file. How were these splits recorded? Transponder antennas were laid under the track at the 0m, 100m, 200m and 300m. Athletes wore chips on the inside of their front bib numbers, so when they crossed the transponder threshold, … [Read more...] about IAAF 4×400 Meter Relay Split Times from Beijing 2008
Ground Contact Time, Stride Length and Fatigue in the 400m
This study showed the kinetic parameters at 150m and 350m during a 400m race. The male subject was the 44.94 by Thomas Schönlebe and the female subject was the 48.56 by Marita Koch. The study was from "Incidenza dell'allenamento di forza su alcuni aspetti structurali delle prestazioni dei … [Read more...] about Ground Contact Time, Stride Length and Fatigue in the 400m
What is Speed Reserve? Part 2 – Training Methods
Click here for What is Speed Reserve? Part 1 - 400 meter Sprinter types The news of Usain Bolt going after the 400 WR in 2010 inspired me to write this article. What is Speed Reserve? Speed Reserve, or Anaerobic Speed Reserve (ASR), is simply the difference between your maximum speed and your … [Read more...] about What is Speed Reserve? Part 2 – Training Methods
