May 13th, 2010

How to run the 400m (video)

131 Comments

After my ‘How to run the 200m’ video, I’ve gotten a  lot of requests for the 400 version.

So, here it is:




To your success,

Latif Thomas

P.S. If you want more information like this, make sure you open my email on Monday…

Tell us what you think

131 Responses to “How to run the 400m (video)”

  1. Tito Says:

    Thanks, this is REALLY helpful… the question I have though has to do more with race prep. My son who does the 400 gets really nervous and a bit afraid during the days before he has the meets. And yes it is specifically about the pain that the 400 gives off. So I was wondering if there were some tips on mentally preparing for the 400 throughout the season. This season his coaches tell him to not think about it at all and just be eating right, and he has not PR’ed at all this season, the closest he came to a PR was on a 4×4 split. If there were any tips you recommend it would be greatly appreciated.

  2. kirk Says:

    In terms of the 1st 50 meters of the race — (1) does the 400 runner go out like the 100meter race (i.e. all out sprint) — or (2) does the runner go out at say 90% to 95% over the first 50 meters of a 400 meter race?

  3. Mitchell Nelson Says:

    Hello Mr.Thomas, i would just like to tell you how much appreciate you taking the time to teach these inspiring athletes the knowledge they need to become successful in their events. Im a grade 10 athlete in Windsor Ontario and i had to run the 400m recently as well. I’m not sure if you will believe this or not but a guy in my division, ended up running his 400m time in 49.08 only being in grade 10. How can i train my body to be able to withstand these high lactic acid intakes so i can stay strong longer throughout my race?

  4. R.Moen (the Netherlands) Says:

    Hey Latif, here Rob from the Netherlands again (Master 45+). As a preparation on my 200m competition i did a 400m 2 weeks ago and my racestrategie was like you explained in your video. I’ve read that somewhere before (also from you). It’s working for me and my time was 52.61 and i only did the 55-200m program, without doing special prep. for the 400m.

    Indead if you start fast it’s easier to relax on the back straight. The youtube link is my race. The action starts at 0.40 min. Thanks Latif….

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvwACn-QNZk&playnext_from=TL&videos=I157w2YAHBg

  5. Micheal Munson Says:

    Latif,

    Are you taking students? Would like to come to MA for a personal coaching session with my son Gabriel.

    Thanks,

    Micheal Munson

  6. Nick Muirhead Says:

    Hey Latif,

    Quick question, I’m taking over as a coach for a Division 1 High School up here in Atlantic Canada. I’m only 23 but I know my way around a track as I’ve always run and I’m still running. Only ever did the 400m in the 4×400, so I’m just wondering how my kids should train for the 400. I’m working a lot on their technique and form and and slowly but surely showing them how to train in the weight room(no more beach workouts!). So just wondering of some drills I can put them through in preparation for a 400m race at a meet.

    Thanks for your time,

    Nick

  7. Chole Allen Says:

    This is the best description of how to run a 400 that I’ve ever seen.Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! This is awesome!

  8. George Byers Says:

    i ran this plan before i even watched the video. i was in the 4×400 relay and my team was in 2nd out of the two teams running. the kid anchoring from the other school was 100 meters ahead of me and had already finished his first 100. i got the baton and ran him down. by the time i reached the top of the second curve 250m into the race we were bumping elbows and i dug enough to get to the outside of him in lane 2 and was able to kick hard enough and cut into lane one in front of him. that secured i our win. i ran a 50.9 split and my previous split was 53.4 the other kid ran a 56. this technique works wonders!!!

  9. Rob Kendrick Says:

    I thought I’d share a success from your training techniques. We had several kids (ages 9-12) set PR’s in the 400 at our last meet. With your techniques and race stratege we also had an 11 year old run a 64 second 440.
    Thank you for your knowledge.
    Coach Rob

  10. John Stolz Says:

    Best video I have seen on how to run the 400. I have coached for many years at middle/high school level. I coach slightly different on the first 50 meters but am going to adopt your strategy. Thanks very much.
    John

  11. Ben Says:

    HI,

    Love the videos! Could you give any idea for splits in a 400m. I am in my thirties and last year ran a 53.4. If I was wanting to run a 53 for example what sort of time should I come through at 200m? e.g. 24, 25, 26 sec? I am not sure on my 200m times as it always comes 15 minutes after the 400m where I am merely trying to not collapse than run fast. I have run a 11.8 100m prior to buying your videos so hopefully that will improve ASAP!

    Regards

    Ben Wilson (UK)

  12. Tania Says:

    Hi Latif
    Great lesson thank you. I am training my son and daughter at the moment and appreccaite the step by step explanation. Makes total sense to me:))
    Regards
    Tania

  13. Will Buckley Says:

    Latif,

    Talk about perfect timing. I have two kids who are chomping at the bit to break their PR’s and hungry. My plan was to walk them through the race stragey today. This was a great refresher for me.

    Coach Buckley
    Ramstein HS, Germany

  14. K.B. Says:

    In the words of Flavor Flav, “Yeaahhh Boyeeeee!!” Thanks Tif, this is what I’ve been talking about. Now I can teach a race strategy for my young runners so they are not throwing up their intestines at the finish. I’ve never run a 400 but Latif you got me pumped up. I want Jeremy Wariner and Sanya Richards. Thanks so much for the advice brah. I really appreciate it.

  15. Asar Says:

    Happy Friday Latif,

    Your information on how to run the 200 was very informative and now your information on how to run the 400 is fantastic. I always believe that you always have too have a plan of action
    when engaging in battle or life. My sons will be running track this season and they are running the 100 200 & the 400, I and did not have a plan of action. Thanks to your information
    now, I can teach them what to do and when to do it during their race. I can see several champioships this summer!!! Continue providing us with excellent information!!Also, I tried your step over and drive down drill with my son, it makes a big difference! Be well!

    Asar M.Mustafa
    The Cyber Sports Co

  16. Milton Barnes Says:

    my daughter is 12yrs old and has ran 1:03 in 400 meters last year, what should be her realistic goal for this season? I don’t want to over do it and push her too hard but she will be running against 14yr old girls this year. She is long and thin and coach feel she has natural talent.

  17. Nick Says:

    Hey Latif:

    Great play just like Madden! Just add the sound effects at the 100m (Phwing!) 200m (BOOM!) 300m (EEERRRRRRR!!!) and Coach screaming lift-pump your arms over and over again.

    Nick

  18. Gregory P. Johnson Says:

    Hello, and Good Morning. I coached many years ago volunteer and as a paid coach Middle School and High School. I taught each student much form what I know and it was only a fraction of what you have taught me over the past year. Having said this, I have implemented much of your scientific revolution into my own personal training. At the age of 58,I am actually improving my sprint times. 12.1 100 meters,25.4 200 meters,7.2 55 meters and a 40yd. time of 4.72. I know what I have to do to improve and maintain my sprint times. If, or when I coach Track,I will teach my students of Track the correct way with inspiration! Thank-You. Latif Thomas. Sincerely, G. Johnson P.S. You are an excellent Teacher. May God Bless.

  19. David Delgado Says:

    Latif, as always a great presentation. My question is do you have the athlete run the first 150m (50-200) at 75-80% and the last curve at 85-90% to have reseves for the last 100m? Please advise.

    Thank you
    David

  20. Bradley Florence Says:

    Thanks Latif! This video Will work wondErs on my female aNd male athlEtes. I have just one quEstion though. If my female 60 seconD 400 athlete wants to rUn sub 60 what would be a good split for the first 200?

  21. Sarah Says:

    Speaking to Tito, the first poster, whose son gets really nervous before the 400, here are some things that work for me. I’m a masters sprinter (47) and I did the 400 for the first time this year. What helped me mentally was training to get comfortable with my target 200 split time. For me, that was 29-mid. I go faster than that in a 200 race, of course, but I trained so that a 29 felt like nothing. So, before I raced, I just told myself, “go out and do a nice warm-up 29 and then race a 200! As the season progressed, I got so that I was unintimidated by running a 46-second 300, because I did them in training. So before a race, I just told myself, “go blast a 46 and then stay relaxed, pump those arms, and let the last 100 take care of itself.” That wasn’t scary. One more thing: when I started the season, I only had target 200 splits in my races that I knew wouldn’t scare me. So, first race, my target was a 34. That was easy. Next race, a little faster. Also, tell him that not many people have the courage to race the 4, so he should stand tall :-)

  22. paul Says:

    i tried this in training yesterday and although i felt good, it was slower!! Maybe i need to practice my first 200m?

  23. Coach P Says:

    18:00 minutes of blah, blah, blah.

    Figure out what splits you want to hit at the 100 and first 200 in order to run your goal 400. The right training will get you through the last 200. Sorry Latif, way too much info for a simple way to run a one lap race.

  24. Chenel Says:

    Hi Latif!

    First things first….yes you pronounced my name correctly. Much appreciation for that and of course the shout for New Jack City alone. Secondly, and most importantly thanks so much for providing the strategic recommendations for running the 400 meter dash. I’ll quickly report that we made some last minute adjustments and completed the race mapping with her. My daugther was ranked 10th at a 5-way tie for 2nd place going into County this weekend. She placed 3rd (2nd in her heat) coming all the way from behind in lane 2 and set her personal best of 62.51. Just making this adjustment alone shaved off a whole 2.6 seconds off of her time and enabled her to get a bronze medal.

    Somewhere along the way, I had figured out that her first 5 steps is the crucial key to setting her rhythm in the race (she is actually a hurdler where steps and rhythm are so important)but I can actually see the difference by employing that one simple technique alone in open sprints. When she ran the second leg of the 4×400 meter relay she started off from the hand-off versus coming out of the blocks and forgot to count her first five steps and her split time was a whole 4 seconds slower than her open 400 meter time run earlier. I’m sure that was partially due to dehydration (I’m in Florida and the kids were sitting out in the sun for at least 45 minutes prior to their race after check-in) but much of it was due to the fact that she hasn’t figured out how to run a consistent leg on the 4×400 yet.

    I’m still working on the 100 through 200 meter portion of the race specifically with her understanding how to move into a float. For some reason it hasn’t quite clicked in practice yet but I did notice she did it naturally in her open 400 meter race today. A conundrum of sorts but I’ve explained it as you have in some of your courses by telling her it is not a deceleration but a portion of the race where she relaxes without taking her foot off of the gas pedal.

    Believe it or not but since I’ve employed some of the earlier suggestions and due to the fact that she is in 8th grade and still becoming acquainted with the developmental level of competition, I don’t have a problem with her last 100 meters.

    I also wanted to thank you for this website. I’ve only discovered this website 3 weeks ago but I can see a tremendous difference already. I read your article about what to do when an athlete reaches the high school level and the skill of the coach is lacking but I also want to throw myself at your mercy as Luke Skywalker did when he encountered Yoda in the Dagobah system to request a course for parents who need help with dealing such a scenario. I worry on how to tackle this issue while improving my athlete’s skill without sacrificing her development and overworking her as there is a possibility that the high school program she will enter will leave much to be desired.

    Thanks so much for your time and effort.

    Chenel AKA Jedi Parental Padawan

  25. Jean M Says:

    Latif, I agree with most of what you said. The major difference that I have is the over exageration of the arms in the last 100M. This would cause a lengthening of the stride and the loss of turnover. I find that short compact and aggressive focus on the arm motion is far more beneficial. The short, fast, and compact arm motion increases turnover and keeps my athletes from falling apart.

  26. Latif Thomas, Athletes' Acceleration Says:

    (1) Tito: Check out (21) Sarah’s comments. Look, the 400 hurts. I don’t try to pull the wool over anyone’s eyes. Instead, I just consistently reframe the way kids perceive that pain. I describe it as teaching kids to ‘eat the pain’. Instead of fearing it, consistently repeat to your son that the only way to succeed is to make the choice to run head first into the pain and, when it comes, get angry and run, head first, right through it. Remind him that the race hurts just as bad when he runs a bad time because he broke during the race as it does when he runs fast. In truth, much of this reframing is done during lactic acid workouts, etc. It’s not just the day of/before the race. But the bottom line is that, at some point, the athlete must make a *choice* to run through it. Jedi Mind Tricks are great, but will power doesn’t work forever. He must become the type of person who doesn’t mind the pain. If he can’t make that choice, then he may not have the temperament to succeed at that distance. I’ve had some *potentially* great 400m runners underachieve because they didn’t have the mental strength to get through the grind.

    LT

  27. Latif Thomas, Athletes' Acceleration Says:

    (2)kirk: 1. All out the first 5 steps, like the 100m. It won’t come back to haunt them because they’re not even going to get 10m into the race before leveling off. It will get them up to pace and, in the end, they will conserve far more energy doing this than not.

  28. Latif Thomas, Athletes' Acceleration Says:

    (3) Mitchell: I’m not too surprised by that. Good coaching plus natural ability = freak times. (not that I would call that a freak time) Improving your ability to handle/buffer that lactic acid comes from improving aerobic capacity, doing middle intensity lactic acid work (intensive tempo runs) and special endurance runs during training. Again, what happens in a race is a direct result of the way you train.

    My opinions on how to develop these qualities are covered extensively here:

    http://www.completeprogramdesignforsprinters.com

    and, of course, here:

    http://www.completespeedtraining2.com

  29. Latif Thomas, Athletes' Acceleration Says:

    (4) Robert: Great race! I’d still like to see a longer first two steps and a little more range of motion in the arms.

    LT

  30. Latif Thomas, Athletes' Acceleration Says:

    (5) Michael: I am not taking on any athletes/clients at this time. If I do take anyone on or speak/coach at any camps and clinics, I”ll be sure to announce it here.

  31. Latif Thomas, Athletes' Acceleration Says:

    (6) Nick – There is no quick answer to that question. I suggest this to start:

    http://www.completespeedtraining2.com

  32. Latif Thomas, Athletes' Acceleration Says:

    (11) Ben – According to my USATF Level II manual, your first 200 should be your best 200m + 1.0-1.5 seconds and your second 200m should be your first 200m + 1-1.5 seconds. That’s a good baseline to use and then you can make ‘real world’ adjustments from there.

  33. Latif Thomas, Athletes' Acceleration Says:

    (16) Milton: Tough to say without any other information about your daughter. If I were coaching her, I’d be focused more on developing consistency, technique and race strategy than I would about times. I’d focus more on trying to win her heat, than the time because if she keeps winning her heat, the times will come. At 12, I don’t want to do anything that would make the kid feel like running is a job. But if you want a number, in my mind I’d be trying to get her under 61.5.

  34. Latif Thomas, Athletes' Acceleration Says:

    (19) David: I generally don’t give those types of percentages because, in most cases, they don’t mean anything specific to a kid. As was discussed above, I generally want kids to come through the first 200 at 200PR + 1-1.5 seconds. Generally closer to 1.5. The last curve is a controlled, but aggressive stride/pace. Our training throughout the course of the season is designed to teach them how to know what that pace feels like so they can do it accurately in the championship races.

  35. Latif Thomas, Athletes' Acceleration Says:

    (20) BrAdley: I don’t know what happened to your other post. But I do remember it. In previous responses, I gave projected splits for male 400m runners. If you want your female/s to go sub60, much of this ability will be dependend on having enough of a speed reserve to handle such a pace. In short, it means you must have a fast enough 200m PR. For females, the 1st 200 of the 400 should be (roughly) Best 200m + 1.5-2.0 seconds and the last 200m should be 1st 200m + 1.0-1.5 seconds.

    So if your sprinter has a 26.5 PR, they would split 28.5/30.0 for a 58.5 400m. I find this to be unrealistic at the HS level. Most kids are going to come back, in my experience, 2-3 seconds slower in their 2nd 200.

    In terms of teaching proper turnover in order to minimize backside mechanics, I’m going to do a video on that later this week. It’s the main thing holding most sprinters back, but requires consistent practice, repetition and feedback from the coach or teammates who know what they’re looking for/at.

    I’ll post that video Wednesday or Thursday.

  36. Latif Thomas, Athletes' Acceleration Says:

    21. Sarah – Good advice!

    22. Paul – Retraining yourself to sprint correctly is unnatural. Therefore, you’ll likely have to take a step back to go 2 steps forward. I tell my kids that if it feels natural, you’re doing it wrong. So focus on doing it right(in practice), even though it’s going to be slower at first. As it becomes natural, it’ll get faster because it takes less deliberate practice. Of course, in a race, don’t think just run!

    But being slower at first is both natural and expected.

  37. Latif Thomas, Athletes' Acceleration Says:

    23. Coach P – I always allow dissent, but please have the courage to use your real name. Anonymous blog posts are the lowest form of dialogue and if I’m going to put myself on the line, you can too.

    That said – Is 18′+ too long for a rant about running the 400? Possibly. But if you’re surprised by a rambling Latif rant, you must not have been reading/watching my stuff for very long.

    Plus, I’d argue that most people appreciated all 18:00+ based on the responses. Again, I don’t only post the positive stuff, I post everything.

    My counter to your statement is that I don’t think your approach is ideal for developmental sprinters. Giving a kid a 100 and 200 split to hit and then not giving any advice for the most difficult *half* of the race seems like an insufficient means of running fast times. I just don’t think they’ll be able to hit those splits with any consistency.

    However, if you’d like to direct me to your site or write an artice or create a video on anything about developing sprinters, I’ll be glad to post it if it’s good. I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I’ll promote anyone who has better answers than mine.

    LT

  38. Latif Thomas, Athletes' Acceleration Says:

    24: Chenel: 2.6 seconds just from evolving the race plan? Nice job! Maybe my video wasn’t too long after all…

    Running the 400 isn’t easy. And I’m not just talking about the pain aspect. It requires strategy and repetition. So, as your daughter continues to develop, she’ll get a better sense of how to attack the race in a way that suits her personal style.

    Just continue to be patient, make sure she has a specific plan, talk about the good and bad from each race so she learns and evolves with each race and don’t put too much pressure on her. Do that and she’ll run times neither of you thought possible.

    LT

  39. Latif Thomas, Athletes' Acceleration Says:

    25. Jean – Fair enough. When I watched the video, I thought:

    ‘I may have over done the arm action part’ because I don’t usually go quite that far in stressing arm action.

    That said, I do disagree with your approach. During the last 100m of the 400, stride length and frequency are falling off. To focus on ’short, compact’ range of motion will only contribute to the athlete’s rate of deceleration. So I want them to focus on ‘over exaggerating’ because it’s not going to lead to overstriding at the end of a 400. All it will do, ultimately, is get them to the natural range of motion we want to see as they fight the pain and muscle failure they are experiencing.

    While you’re correct about potential overstriding (when the athlete is *not* in a state of fatigue), I think you’ve course corrected too far in the opposite direction by cueing a minimized range of motion. Perhaps a ‘middle way’ compromise is the best solution here.

  40. Kevin Says:

    Coach Latif, thanks for the video lesson. I am a youth coach in New Jersey and we really base our training foundation on the 400 meter race. Your training and race plan makes perfect sense. I think alot of times, especially in youth development, this race plan training is overlooked and kids will tend to burn out at around 13 or 14 years old….this sort of training to understand the 400 will help in the long run………thanks alot.

  41. James Sims Says:

    I run the 400 hard for the first 50m. I try to pass the guy to my right as quickly as possible, if I dont pass him then I relax to 200. I like to come through 23.2 – 23.5. My personal best is 48.10, my 200 split was 23.4 that day. I felt good the last 100m. I ran 48.94 and I came through 22.8 for 200 and my last 100m hurt bad.

  42. Marcus Arnold Says:

    hi latif having trouble downloading your free video HELP

  43. Latif Thomas, Athletes' Acceleration Says:

    40. Kevin – I completely agree.

    41. Nice job, James!

    42. Marcus – Have you tried downloading the newest version of Adobe Flash?

  44. Ray Says:

    should the runner be thinking about the a run drill during the float stage of the 400 meters ?

  45. Joe Rocha Says:

    Hello Latif,
    Thank you for sharing. I am a golfer but your explanation of running the 400 can be applied to playing a round of golf. Your focus on aticipating the choice between fighting on or quitting is important. There are a few times in most rounds of golf where it comes down to that choice. Also I like how you say that playing (running) bad and or good creates the same amount of pain so to speak. The entire planning of the phases of the race is interesting. Here’s a question…the main roadblock I have in planning is that it seems like I am trying to predict the unpredictable. Planning also seems to put pressure on me (perhaps some pressure is a good thing). Maybe you would agree that it is important to be flexible in your planning or do you believe in more of a precise plan. Thank you again for your insights!

  46. Ramon Neilly (Bahamas) Says:

    Well I have a meet of real importance coming up this weekend. I’ll have to see if hasving a plan can get me down to this 46 high 47 low that I need to run.

  47. Latif Thomas, Athletes' Acceleration Says:

    44. Ray – The ‘A Run’ drill would be a good one to think about since it would most closely approximate what running form looks like when done well. So I would say to think about it if you can do it without it slowing you down. If thinking about that is a distraction and takes too much mental strength, then just run the race. Focus on technique in practice and winning in meets.

    45. Joe – Good comparison! I believe we always need to be flexible in our planning because there are an infinite number of issues that can pop up that force us to modify the original plan.

    LT

  48. Chenel Says:

    Hi Latif,

    So ummmm, I don’t mean to act like Pookie (yet again) but it is Thursday AM and you said the other day that you planned to post a video on backside mechanics on Wednesday or Thursday.

  49. Latif Thomas, Athletes' Acceleration Says:

    48. Chenel – LOL. It’s up!

    http://tinyurl.com/2g4hru8

  50. Noel Says:

    Coach P – the “one lap race” as you called it is one of if not the most tactical race & the fastest athlete will not always win so hitting a 100m/200m time does not dictate the result…as I am sure most people will agree a 400m starts at 200m

  51. Errol Hart Says:

    Coach P- You make racing over the 400m, (which is one of the most tactical of all sprints) look so simple. Is it possible for you to give us more details and drills you use.

    I was always under the impression the first 200m set up the athlete for the second 200, as that is when the race begins in the 400m.

  52. Kurt Says:

    Latif, thanks for the information it was great. My son ran the 400m this season and told me he didn’t like it because of the pain. When I asked him if he had a plan, he said what do you mean? I don’t coach track so I was not much help,which got me thinking about the coaching and preparation he is not receiving. I’m going to show him this video and see what he thinks.

  53. Mae McIsaac Says:

    I think your race plans for 200 and 400 are fantastic.
    My other son runs 800 and 1500 and wondered if you know who could give me information on race plans for them as he just goes out and runs them and is not very successful.

    Mae

  54. KH Says:

    latif, i was wondering how do you train for a 400 coz you cant do gym work because that slows you down (apparantly) so what lots of short sprints?

  55. al joseph Says:

    thanks Mr. Thomas for your tips they’ll really help me prepare for my jr year im workin hard right now thats its summertime and hopefully i’ll win in the 400=), and all my other events.

  56. Christopher Glaeser Says:

    Hey Latif,

    Noticed the Princeton tee. Did you run or coach at Princeton?

    Best,
    Christopher

  57. Latif Thomas, Athletes' Acceleration Says:

    Chris – I did neither. (I ran at UConn) One of my former athletes ran there and I have a hard and fast rule that says if you go to college to run track and I coached you, then you owe me a tshirt from that school. So I just rotate my collection of college track t-shirts and that’s what I happened to be wearing that day.

  58. gary Says:

    Latif, excellent advice on running the 400, I’ve been sprinting for 50 years now and the 400 always surprises me, it can be a frustrating race if not run correctly and also very satisfying. You are so spot on with your analysis of the final 100 meters, Coach Carson of East Carolina said ” the only thing you have left at that point is a prayer” However, the late great Coach Bud Winter echoed your statement, and that is; to exaggerate your arm movement, trying to lengthen your stride will only slow you down more. Latif, something not mentioned and could you elaborate on this: Suppose on race day you have a brisk wind in your face on the backstretch, how would you adjust your strategy? Wind seems to scare some sprinters, thanks Latif for giving back to our great sport.

  59. Christopher Glaeser Says:

    > I have a hard and fast rule that says if you go to college to run track and I coached you, then you owe me a tshirt from that school.

    That’s a great rule!

    Best,
    Christopher

  60. Glenn Bradley Says:

    Latif, my daughter 15, has the 800 and 400 tomorrow at the Eastern Ontario\s. 1:03 400m, and 2:30 800m.
    Any tips to shave 2secs off the 4 and 3 secs off the 8 in a last minute quest or just follow the video.

    Thanks.
    Great vid.

  61. Latif Thomas, Athletes' Acceleration Says:

    50. Glenn – Follow the video and the times will come down.

  62. Ranvir Says:

    Hi, I am due to run a 400m race in about 3 weeks time, I’m 14 years old in but I normally can only last 200m and when I run i don’t bend my legs either. Have you got any tips how to train for the 400m in my circumstance?

    Many Thanks
    Ranvir

  63. Werner (South Africa) Says:

    Running the 400m is like playing golf. Sometimes you’re up and sometimes you’re down. But it’s always the most consistent players that win tournaments. Even if they have a bad “first 9″, they should have the heart and mental strength to come back strong on the final 9.
    I always have my athletes do 100m/200m time trails towards the end of SPP going into the Comp season. I find that this helps them learn race pace.

  64. Devin Says:

    Thanks for the great video,
    I am a 400m and 200, runner and we just finished our season
    im a senior in high school and i wanted to run in college.
    i really dont have a coach righ tnow and i was wondering if
    there is a special workou ti could do over the summer to improve
    my 400 time right now im running a 52.9 and i want to bring it down
    thanks

  65. Coach Wright Says:

    I coach in Arkansas, I have a 10th grader that one the 100m, 200m, 400m, 2nd leg of the 4 x 100m, and long jump at the state meet. I really like your philosophy on a race plan with diagrams. Mine was you have to win all your events for our team to have a remote chance at winning state. The 400m video helped me explain it better for the future. My athlete ran the 400m by jogging/striding the 1st 100m, which I was upset. He was just talented enough to out run everyone during the 290m – 400m area. Keep the videos coming, great job.

  66. Latif Thomas, Athletes' Acceleration Says:

    Ranvir – There’s no short answer to that question, but learning some speed drills is a good place to start.

    Werner – Good to hear from you again. Good analogy and I agree with the 100/200 time trials during late SPP if you’re running a traditional program where you don’t have dual meets a week or two into the season like we do here at the HS level in the US.

  67. Latif Thomas, Athletes' Acceleration Says:

    Devin – There are no magical workouts. However, here is a 12 week offseason 400m training program that will help you:

    http://www.athletesacceleration.com/preseason-training-for-400m-runners-week-12/

  68. coach Johnson Says:

    hi Mr. Thomas my name is Zontavius Johnson Im the track coach at North Lawndale College in chicago. I got the job with about a month before the season started so my girls had no real off season. we finished this year on a good note we sent girls to the state meet in 200, 400, 4×1, 4×2, 4×4, 100MH and the Long jump the bad part about that is the same girls are running everything because we are small but talented. my goal as a coach is to get my girls back to state next year and make some real noise so I ordered you complete sprint 2 series. now my question is I want to use it as a summer work out since all 12 of my girls are running for me this summer I can train how we need to. would using your training series a ggod idea or bad.

  69. steve estell Says:

    Hello Latif, I appreciate all the advise you post. My daughter is an elite 200m 400m high school athlete whom will be entering her senior year in August. She was part of the girls 4×100m relay that won the California state meet this year 45.74 and was a finalist in the 200m. Her PR in the 400m is 54.72 and consistantly runs 53.50 sec splits in the 4×400m anchor leg. She did that as a sophmore. This year she ran the the 200m 5 times with the times getting lower every time. 25.01, 24.65, 24.46, 24.24, 23.86. Then she got to the state meet and ran 24.55. What happened? It’s not that she has’nt run in the state meet before cause’ she was there as a sophmore in 3 events. If you have time, look at her video on Dyestat.com click on region,click on calif, click video, look for girls 4×100m finals. She ran second leg. Rancho Verde High School. Lane #6. Also Girls 200m finals. Lane #1 She was good in the leg of the 4×100m but sucked in the 200m. Please advise.

  70. Latif Thomas, Athletes' Acceleration Says:

    coach Johnson – CST2 will most certainly show you what you need to know to design quality summer training for your athletes.

    steve estell – i’m tempted to not reply to your question at all due to me excessive jealousy of how fast your daughter is!

    on a serious note, you’re better off posting the link to her race because i’ll get sidetracked before I click on that many links.

    I don’t know that I can give you a clear answer on what happened without knowing anything about her training history, what was going on in her life, etc.
    Offhand, it’s pretty tough to run fast times in Lane 1. So that right there is going to slow her down. It could be as simple as having a bad day at the wrong time. But I just don’t have enough information to feel confident in answering your question.

  71. Dashawn Says:

    this is very interesting!my season is already over unfortunately but summer is there and i want to get better. I ran a 49.7 as a split for my 4×4 and a 49.9 as indiviual time FAT!
    For my 800 my fastest time is a 1:58.
    Im about to go into my senior year and really want to drop my times atleast to 47/1.54!!
    Track is the only thing I have to get me to college considering financial aid because I dont’t live with my parents!
    I love track and just wanna get better!how can you help me?What can I do?

  72. coach Johnson Says:

    hello quick question should i used the CST2 to train my 300 meter hurdlers and my 800meter runner or should i use another way to train them both

  73. Latif Thomas, Athletes' Acceleration Says:

    Dashawn: Great goals. How can I help you? You can help yourself by reading this blog and learning about training. But telling you what you can do would require a very long post beyond the scope of what I can provide here.

    coach Johnson: I don’t cover hurdles in CST2, but the training principles are the same I use for my 400IH athletes (and 300h back before we switched to 400h) and I’ve had great success. You can also use a lot of CST2 to develop your 800m runners as I believe 800m runners don’t do enough speed work, strength training, power development, etc. If you look at the US National Champ at 10,000m, he has a flat 200m time of 23.0. Speed!!!!

    But you’ll still need some endurance knowledge to add to your 800m runners’ program.

  74. W.R. Jackson Says:

    Your advice on having a plan to run the 400m is simply the truth, I agree with you 100%. I briefly ran track in high, but now, I just run for fun.

    The way you describe the plan was the way I some what ran the 400m. But to hear you explain the plan, I now have a better understanding of the plan, and where I went wrong. The one thing you can include in the plan is the mechanics of running, you mention this in one of your previous video. My high school coach always said technic will make you better, especially in the 400m. As you mention the last 100m in the 400m is a monster, and proper technic, it will make you a better finisher.
    Thank you for the videos’and a better understanding of the plan.

    Thanks,
    WRJ

  75. Rev. Wanza Says:

    Impressive, most impressive. I have a nine-year son who has qualified for Regionals in the 100M, 400M, and 200M. I have noticed a particular running style on a few athletes in his group and the lower group. Their consistently winning and look most comfortable while doing so. I asked the Lord, God if He would help me understand this technique. This style of running. Because it’s so effective and efficient. My son is running on sheer will and determination and competing. While he has excelled beyond my and others expectations I always observe meticulously what works, and works efficiently. Well, fate (Holy Spirit) led me to Complete Track and Field.com and clicked on a few links and ran across CST2 ordered the ninety-minute free download and the rest is history. There is only One God, One Lord, One Holy Spirit. God bless you Latif! Keep up the excellent and informative work.

  76. Elizabeth Helger Says:

    Hi! I´m 49 from Sweden who moved to australia for 1 year. I´m a 400m runner beliving I can get a better runner. Started 4 years ago on 64 sek now i`m down on 59. I´m used to tartan tracks from home but here I have only grass tracks. I did compete the first tim in aus 3 week ago. 27 on 200 but 62 on 400m.(on tartan) Next competition is in beginning of nov. I won the european mastership goldmedal the last 2 times and I know I can do better. I would like to improve my speed and I think I learned a lot from your videos. I have a program i follow but I need some “new inputs” to get more motivated. I´m confused in my training. I´m very god at follow my program and can feel my body and the different speeds when training. I know what flow is and how to “eat” pain at 200m. I am very competitive and always do well at competitions (exept for the last competions 400m race) but not so god in training sessions. I love and need competitions but I want to be very good prepared when competing. Do you have any suggestions of how to proceed. I have this week started again with wheights and hilltraining. Hope you understand my swinglish writing. Thanks a lot/ Elizabeth

  77. Adria Peterkin Says:

    Hi Mr. Latif,

    I’m 15 years old from Conyers, Georgia. My brother and I would like to know if you are currently training anyone at this time, because we would really appreciate your help.

  78. Yvette Says:

    Good Information. Can this also be applied to 400m Hurdlers?

  79. Latif Thomas, Athletes' Acceleration Says:

    Elizabeth: http://www.completespeedtraining2.com and/or http://www.completeprogramdesignforsprinters.com

    Yvette: No, the race plan for the 400h is considerably different.

  80. Yvette Says:

    Do you have a preparation similar for 400H?

  81. Sue Ralph Says:

    THIS WAS GREAT, A LOT OF HELPFUL IDEAS.
    DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING SIMILAR FOR THE 800M AND 1500M RACE?

    Sue

  82. Kyle Says:

    hey latif, do you have any videos about how to run the 100m?

  83. Latif Thomas, Athletes' Acceleration Says:

    Yvette: Not yet!
    Sue: Not yet!
    Kyle: Not yet!

    OK, so clearly these videos are popular. I’ll start working on them.

  84. Bruce Bradley Says:

    Latif, you forgot an important aspect “pray” before you run the “4″ as wellas in the last 100. Excellent presentation. I will share it with my more mature athletes. I ill let you know if I get back to the low sixties for us old guys that is a goal.

    Like your style.

  85. Mark Jason Says:

    Hey Latif. I really enjoyed this video. You hit all of the most important points during a 400m race and I will be adjusting my races according to this.

    Right now it is pre-season and I have been running mileage. At least 20 miles a week, usually more. At the same time I have been doing some light weight training, mostly just upper-body and core strength. Do you have any suggestions for workouts? I improved my time last year by almost 2 seconds with this routine (52->50) so I don’t want to plateau at 50. Thanks.

  86. GVenkataramana Says:

    Dear Mr.Thomas, well I am preparing for the coming Veterans Asiad in Kaulalumpur, Malasia. I live in India and 52+category (Veterans). Thank u very much about the Idea of running 400 perfectly.
    I wish I can bring a medal to my country.
    Thank u,
    With regards
    Gangavarapu.Venkataramana

  87. Shantel Says:

    hey hello how are you doing. I am a former quarter miler and i have ran my races around the same format you discussed in your video.

    I have now been asked to coach a 10 year old exceptional athlete. however, i am at this point unaware of his strenghts and weakness and times, but i would love to hear from you as to what pointers to work on with him as srat coaching him next week.

    I am a Bahamian living in Nassau Bahamas so you can understand the kind of climate we are working with. i also look forward to meeting with you int he near future! pleasee feel free to comment on the e-mail provided thank you so much!

  88. Will Baird Says:

    Thank you so much for this video!!!!! Before I had watched it I had run a pb of 49.45 but after watching this video I ran a 47.01 at state. Thanks a lot.

    >>Nice job Will!

    LT

  89. Coach Miller Says:

    Coach Thomas,
    This is the typical advice I have always heard on running a 400, both when I was an athlete, and now as a coach.
    The problem I believe with this “strategy”, is it stems from the assumption that an athlete is not capable of finishing a 400 strong. (I do however agree with step #1: The First 5 Steps, and #2)
    As you stated in the video, an athlete is going to be suffering in the last quarter of the race due to the strain on the anaerobic system. Bottom line, there will be a buildup of lactic acid.
    Teaching this “strategy” though sets runners up to run, or strive to run different tempos throughout the race.
    I’m certain you know how the body reaches steady state: through prolonged activity at a sustained intensity. Through training you can reach steady state quicker as your aerobic system becomes more efficient, and as you increase your lactate threshold. Now I am not saying that an athlete can run the 400 without fatigue, but rather bringing up a question: What is the most efficient way to run from point A to point B? The answer is to run evenly, or even pacing. Or as even as you can allow.
    ….continued…

  90. Coach Miller Says:

    ……….(continued from post above)…….
    Before I go any further let me tell you a little more about myself and my experiences. I am a head middle school track coach, and also work with and train with individual runners in high school (mainly 400m runners). Until recently I advised runners in the same race strategy you did in the video, but lets be honest, if you really break it down, you’re just saying: ‘Do your best to set yourself up to not die in the last 100 meters!’
    While I agree 100% that race mechanics, coordination, top end speed, etc. are all necessary for elite performances, these are all negated if your lose your form in the last 200 meters due to fatigue. The training program I implemented this last season was a mirror image of Coach Hart’s Program. I have in my hands Hart’s 42-week day by day workouts, spanning from late August 2003 to the end of summer 2004. (as you recall, this is Jeremy Wariner’s last macrocycle building up to Athens) If you are wondering how I have this in my possession, one of my former Kinesiology Professors previously taught/researched at Baylor and worked/trained alongside the men and women’s teams. Each day he wrote down the workout, target times, recovery times etc. I used this to build my training cycles (bringing it down proportionately to middle school level) and used it alongside my previous system.
    ….continued…..

  91. Coach Miller Says:

    For everyone else reading this, watch this video ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OENJvMZqk3E ) ((and yes I’m gonna use Wariner as an example)) Wariner obviously runs a beautiful race, but the part that sticks out to me is the last 200 meters of the race. Wariner runs almost perfectly even splits. Every other runner in the field runs a slightly positive 2nd 200. And if you watch the last 100 meters, you see every other runner breaking down in form and considerably slowing down. I believe this is the real monkey on the back, and instead of coaching around this problem, attack it at the source. That’s the kind of information I’d like to get my hands on if I were a coach today. I know you are a huge believer in Technical/Coordination Focus vs Volume Based Approach, and while I agree that many coach’s neglect the first and overdue the second, you can’t overlook the proven results of Hart, Lydiard, etc. Would like to hear your opinion!
    Sincerely,
    Coach Miller

  92. Dave Says:

    Excellent discussion. Very useful information. Thank you.

  93. Ray Says:

    Latiff do you have any indoor 400 meter strategies ?

    I understand that running a 400 is gonna hurt regardless of indoor or outdoor but it seems that the break point in an indoor 400 can make or break a race

    Ive had races where Ive come in 2nd to last at the break a still finished strong and won

    and Ive been in situations where Ive been boxed in /cut off

    do you have any specific tips on indoor race strategy ?

  94. coach lou Says:

    WHAT WOULD BE A GOOD WORKOUT THAT WOULD MAKE MY 200 AND 400 METER RUNNERS FASTER?

  95. Adam Letham Says:

    Hi!

    Unlike you I have no coaching qualifications; but over the past 20 years 6 of my high school runners have qualified, and, taken part in the Olympic Games… one of them reaching the 800m final in Sydney.Three of them have run in Olympic 4×400m relay events.

    At shool I never told them how to run a 400m race beforehand, it is an essential part of an athletes make up that he/she can think for him/herself.I would alweays have a “debriefing/postmortem” afterwards.

    Remember it is not you but the athlete who is running. Maybe I am wrong.

    Adam

  96. Latif Thomas, Athletes' Acceleration Says:

    Adam Letham: I do not believe in terms like ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ when it comes to things that are not defined by physiology. Is is whatever you say it is. That said, I do not agree with you. In my experience, athletes with solid race plans run better and more consistently than those who do not. Besides, your ‘debriefing/postmortem’ is really just a race plan set up after a race which will determine the…race plan for the next race. So, to me, this is semantics.

  97. JJ Says:

    Hey man I just started back training a week ago coming off a stress fracture injury. I ran a race only off 4 days of training and that was the worst 400 of my life and it was my 1st indoor meet. How do I get back in shape and quicker also how do I fight the pain because I died after the break line.

  98. Latif Thomas, Athletes' Acceleration Says:

    JJ: There is no magic pill to get in shape quicker. Actually, there is, but we don’t endorse that stuff here!

  99. Rand Says:

    Hey Latif, i got three questions

    when i run my foot point outward, how to fix that ? when i’m running i’m feeling like i can produce more power when my feet point outward, i know that if i correct this mistake i will be more efficient, i’ve heard that its because of the way that my hips are built, ive also heard that its because i got flat foot but i don’t know. Do you have some exercise to fix it ?

    Do you have to run the 400m just on the balls of your feet ? and the 800m ?

    And by the way, can i have a good 400m workout ? I’m a 14 years old

    Thanks you Latif

  100. David G Says:

    Hi Latif and greetings from New Zealand. The video is very helpful. I have one question. How, if at all, would you adjust the strategy if you are having to run heats and finals on the same day only a few hours apart? In other words, what is your race plan for the heat, knowing you have to come back and run it again (if you qualify)?

  101. Anthony Says:

    Hi, Latif

    Great video, had some of the same questions like david G, from New Zealand. I would also like to know what type of strength training would you do with a 16 year old who has a personal best time of 50.55 secs in the 400 meters

  102. Anthony Says:

    Nice videos Latif. My kids are young, 7-13 years, and we’ve participated in a track club for several years. Due to finances I may have to go unattached and coach my kids. Your videos are a huge help especially in the 200 and 400. Our track club never taught strategy. I assumed because the kids were so young, so they just worked on the kids’ endurance and aggressiveness then let them loose in the meets. Keep the videos and tips coming, because I can use them!

  103. Karen Says:

    Hey Latif! I stumbled across your website a month ago and have been devouring every word since. Thank you!!!! I am a distance coach for a high school team and desperately need information about how to train sprinters. My distance kids have been so successful since I started with them two years ago that the sprinters on the team keep trying to defect to come run with us! (They aren’t receiving any sprint coaching from the head coach who just hollers, “run 5 x 300, do 50 bleachers, and go home” every day.) Instead of converting them to distance runners, I’d rather develop a program that I can nonchalantly pass along to the sprint coach so they can become better sprinters. I plan to purchase your program as soon as I can get enough cash, but I do have a question that I didn’t see addressed anywhere in the program:
    How do you organize practices for the whole team? Our practices (with the exception of distance & throws) is pure chaos. I want to create and propose a schedule so that all of the kids on the team know where they need to be at all times. I assume most teams have sprinters who are also hurdlers or jumpers, so how do you make sure they get the proper time in with all events? If anyone can share what their daily breakdown looks like, I’d be forever grateful. We have 4 coaches–a head coach who “coaches” sprinters, hurdlers, and vaulters; a throws coach; a jumps coach who is only on the track 2 days a week; and me as a distance coach (I coach 400 and up). How do you choreograph training for three events to fit in two and a half hours five days a week? I don’t want to reinvent the wheel! Help!

  104. Latif Thomas, Athletes' Acceleration Says:

    David G: I have athletes run the race the same way, but just shut it down somewhere over the last 100m once the race is in control.

    Anthony (2/14): The same strength training I would do with any sprinter.

    Anthony (3/1): Will do!

  105. Latif Thomas, Athletes' Acceleration Says:

    Karen: Sad to see your sprinters being ignored by their ‘coach’, but that situation is more the norm than the exception. Great question. It’s one we all deal with. I have only 1 (22 year old) assistant so it’s tough to get to everyone. You have to teach your upperclassmen to be assistant coaches so they are able to run a basic version of what you want done while you roam from group to group. Generally, I focus on one or two groups each practice so they get specific attention. That, my friend, is the art of coaching and there is no easy answer to it. Make sure you’re signed up for my emails because I discuss these types of things to varying degrees every week. The main thing you have to do is find commonalities in training qualities between events. So the 400 kid who also long jumps might do approach work on your Monday speed day, but they aren’t going to do the regular accel work the sprinters do. To make things simple, my sprinters and jumpers do essentially the same lifts. If I had one piece of advice it would be to (loosely) plan your week in advance and take good notes after practice of what went well and what did not. Even the best coaches run bad practices, especially with the chaos of large numbers at the HS level! Good luck!

  106. Devin Says:

    I wish everything u said about this wasnt so true but its exactly how it feels running this race lol Im coming up on my junior season in high school and ended my sophomore year with a PR of 50.3. I Run my race about the same as you explained it and im pretty consistent. I was wondering if you had any tips to help me get down into the 47-48 time range because i plan on trying to go to a division 1 college to run. This is a great video and Thanks for all the advice!

  107. malik hoge Says:

    i have never ran a 400 in a meet and when i did it for the first time i got a 1:07 so can you tell me if that is a good first time and should i keep at this

  108. PJ Hamill Says:

    Legit the same talk pretty much word for word that you gave to me in the winter. Also coach NO BACKSIDE MECHANICS because as you say one you wont run fast and you look goofy. SEE YOU AT PRACTICE TOMORROW.

  109. Charleston Blue Says:

    Is there’s breathing technique for the 400

  110. Jarrad Says:

    Hey Latif,

    Being a 400m runner myself your strategy is just like mine. although the first 50 m of the race I only run at about 90% pace but am willing to try and go all out to set mysel up. My best is 49.3 and am trying to get my time down.. Exaggerated arm drive I think is excellent as It will automatically help lift and drive the knees.

    In addition I’d also like to point out that I have been recently consuming bicarbonat soda ( baking soda) approximatley 2 teaspoons at night and 1 hr before my race. This works excellent as it acts as a buffer against lactic acid and reduces muscular fatigue. I have not felt like vomiting after my event since ive startted consuming this. It is completley legal and works a GEM!!

  111. Halsey Burner Says:

    Damn You know your stuff, last season in our final meet I PR’ed at 55.1 I watched your video a few days before my first meet this year and I ran a 53 flat and I can’t wait for my season to progress. Your the best. Thanks

  112. Mo Says:

    This really helped.. i’m running a 400m today and i need to learn how to pace myself

  113. Brian Says:

    How would you execute this strategy on a track with longer turns than straight-aways? Specifically, the Franklin Field track at the University of Pennsylvania.

  114. Kevin Says:

    I’m running about a 49.8 right now and only have till June 5th to get 49.3 (Euro youth olympics time) and I was wondering if I should try this technique now or when I ament under such pressure, do you thunk it’ll get me down those crucial tenths? I’m 17 and only been running about a year so I don’t go by much tactic. Just don’t go too slow or top fast relax and keep smooth!
    Anyway, thanks.
    Kevin

  115. tania Says:

    hi i was looking at your 400m video. it is really good. thank you for shearing it. i am a 400m athlete aswell from england. i opened the season with 60.47. my time last year was 59.5. i have a open meet may 18 so i will put in everything you was saying thank you so much

  116. Wendy Says:

    Mr. Thomas,
    Where were you 20 years ago when I was running the 400 in HS??? My coaches just basically said “run it as fast as you can.” Well that didn’t help at all! This video was great!
    Onto my question: my 10 year old son was at baseball practice and there was a track meet going on nearby. He watched it after his practice was over and came home and said he wanted to do a track meet. So, he recently competed in his first track meet at a small local meet. Since he won the 400m, he gets to advance to the sate meet, which is a month away.

    He didn’t prepare/train ahead of time for this meet. And since he was successful (1st in 400m, 2nd in 200m) he wants to try to do better and train a little more for the State Meet so he can qualify for Nationals. I definitely think this video will help him. Thanks for posting it!

    But as far as workouts, with only a month left, is it too late to train/get in better shape for the State meet? If not, do you have suggestions on how many days a week and some sample workout plans he should do?

  117. marques jones Says:

    i have my sections race coming up, i run the 400 and 4×400 so i will make my race plan and try my best to win!

  118. adam Says:

    i run a 52.1 400 and have been stuck between 52.1-3, i need a time of 51.3 to qualify for an important in the next few weeks. how can i get this time?

  119. Jesse Stanley Says:

    Hey Latif Thomas,

    I was wondering if you could email me with some tips for the 1600m. I been focusing on that this past year as a freshman in high school and ended up getting a 4:49 . I was just wondering if you could do that. That would be very helpful. But if you can not answer my question and you have some one in mind just have them hit me up.

    THANKS!
    Jesse Stanley

  120. Nahim Says:

    hey coach

    I was trying to find out what a good lifting schedule for a 400 meter runner would be. Im in highschool 6′3”, and I hurt my lower back squating this year, so im looking for a good routine.

  121. Dani Says:

    Hey I really appreciate the video. I am a sophomore in college and my PR in the 200 is 25.07 and my PR in the 400 is 58.1 which I got my junior year in high school. I really want and need to PR but I cant seem to mentally get into it. I tighten up at the 200 mark every time. Do you think I should be working on my endurance or maybe getting stronger in the weight room? or maybe both? Thanks.

  122. Bill Says:

    how to run 400m

  123. Sandy Says:

    Hey Latif, thanks for the video.
    I’ve been only running competitevly for 1 year and just started the 400 last month. I’m 16 years old and my pr is 55.10 which isn’t great but I’ve barely trained for the 400 and hope to improve my pr with this video. Just to comment on one thing you’ve said about that split secound inwhich you have to decide whether you are going to run or quite. I’ve never considered quitting in an 400 and dont plan on starting anytime soon. Also with regards to the fear of pain in running a 400 i’m never afraid to run the 400. The pain is good and the reward for running a good race is better. Thanks for the tips

  124. Hitting drills Says:

    Great video. You wouldn’t happen to have any tips and advice on running the 60 yard dash would you?

  125. Greg Says:

    Hi Latif,
    I’m 36 and ran my first 400m race today in about 18 years. Obviously it’s been a while and we didn’t use a race plan like you described so I thought I would give it a shot. Now I have not really been training for the 400 (or consistently for that matter), but I got out fast (lane 2 of 8), assessed the competition through the first 200. I was trailing two guys and ATTACKED the last curve, and was neck in neck with the leader through the last 100. We both started losing it with in the final stretch, and he just got me at the line, but I was pretty happy with a 61.05 even though my high school self is laughing at me. Thanks for the video.

  126. ayesha billimoria Says:

    Hey..
    i got onto this site from one of your college mates. He talks very highly about you. I’m a 200-400mtrs sprinter from India and currently trainin under Gavin Fernandes in Sydney. I’ve run a great season this year with a PB of 58.1 (hand time) and Gav’s very confident that i will run sub 55 next season, coz my training has def stepped up from last year. I’d like to know how i can connect with you on a one on one. As i train all by myself in India currently, and chances of going to Sydney right now are a lil lax coz of visa prblms, and i’m very keen to be a part of the 2012 games. So anyway u could help with more information besides the site…?? I’m a sports therapist by profession and since gavin’s a movement specialist, we do some very specific stuff with regards to Yoga-Tai chi.. Hoping to hear from you soon.
    Regards.
    Ayesha

  127. Smith Says:

    Hay there latif I am 14 , I’m in a school and I’m surounded with quite a few extrodanary athletes . I started traing a half a season ago en just yesterday I ran a 200m pb of 25.1 but still I run the 400m in 58 second any tips plz

  128. Alyssa Says:

    Hi i’m 13 and 4 foot 8 and i want to run the 400m instead of the 1600m. I run the 800m and i love it, but i almost pass out every time i run it because i push myself too hard. Can i run both the 800m and the 400m in one meet and will my height impact my running?

  129. Jake Says:

    I am a long distance runner (1mile, 2mile, and 5k) and i am going to do the 400m when track comes along again. What would be some good training exersises?

  130. Eddy Tan Says:

    Oh thank GOD I found this! I’m running 400m in two weeks with ZERO EXPERIENCE, and selected by chance too. I’m glad I found this, it’ll be really helpful. Thanks!!

  131. emily Says:

    thank you so much. im 11 years old and i will be running the 400 meters for track.

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