800 Meters

The 800 meters is an event that tests middle-distance speed as well as aerobic capacity. The runners typically run two times around the track, struggling against lactic acid buildup and maintaining an even pace.
The 800 has both an aerobic capacity with an anaerobic power component. The elite athletes complete in around 1:40 to 2:00 minutes and require both speed for the duration of the race as well as the ability to cope with intense accumulation of lactate. Training for 800 focuses on speed endurance through interval training like 400-meter repeats or 600s, as well as lactate threshold training to improve the body’s buffering capacity for lactic acid. There is some strategy involved, with an aim of an even split or slightly faster second lap. The event demands high VO₂ max values and is thus an ideal event for improving the overall cardiovascular efficiency of athletes.