A recent thread on FLRunners.com asked which event was harder; the 400M or the 800M?
Good question indeed!
The problem though is there is not a whole lot of runners who are good enough in both who could give an honest answer as to which one is tougher?
Besides that, it's very rare indeed to find a runner that has excelled in both in recent times.
Enter 2A 800M State Champion Sam Secord whose personal bests in the 400M is 50.4 and has an 800M best of 1:53.85.
The multi-dimensional Secord could easily be compared to another great runner who was known for his 800M prowess but was equally as impressive in the 400M.
Alberto Juantorena of Cuba won gold in both events in the 1976 Olympics and like Sam, he probably prefers the 800M over what many folks consider the toughest event in the world, the 400M.
Sam also may be the most versatile and well traveled runner in the State competing in events from the 200M all the way up to 5K cross-country races and competing extensively indoors, up and down the eastern seaboard.
The St Pete Catholic standout started his senior track season by competing in the LSU High School Classic January 9th at the LSU Field House in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, clocking 1:59.26 and finishing 2nd to Smiths Station, Alabama's, Chris Patrick.
Following the LSU meet, Sam traveled to Boston for the Greater Boston Track Invite followed by indoor meets in Kentucky and the Nike Indoor Classic in Baltimore where he clocked 1:58.06 finishing 9th.
Although lurking in the shadows of nationally renowned 800M standout Tim Harris of Miami, Sam is one heck of a runner who loves to compete.
I caught up with Sam recently as he was preparing for the Golden South meet Saturday against foes Chris Patrick and Tim Harris.
Dr. Bob (flrunners.com): Congrats on being State Champ where you ran 1:54.77 and improved on your 4th place finish last year.... How did that race unfold for you?
Sam Secord: The race actually went just the way I planned. I knew that I had to go out fast, my goal was a 52 second first lap, I knew that I was strong enough to hold on the second lap to try and get the win. Woodbury ran a great race, I knew he would stick with me the first lap, because I remember how he ran from last years state meet, where he and I battled through the first lap in 52, right on pace and I think that might have been a little bit of a shocker to him, because right after we heard someone yell 52, he downshifted and that's where I made my move. Unfortunately, right after the first lap, my right spike caught the track wrong and I ripped the bottom of my foot, it was pretty wicked, it hurt badly the last lap, but this was no time to wimp out because of an injury.... I could barely walk after the race. But it was all good.
DB: Overall, were you happy with the way your track season went this year?
SS: Yea, definitely...my season has been a bit longer than most because I had a long indoor season; most people don't know that I ran like 5 races indoors. I started pretty intense training immediately after the cross state meet because I only had like a month before my first indoor race. I went to LSU for a meet and ran well, and then went to Boston and ran a 1:55 there, which was pretty solid. The next weekend I went to the University of Kentucky for their high school meet and ran well with a 1:53.8. I finished the indoor season ranked in the top 10 in the nation in the 800 so I was pleased. As far as outdoor, it really wasn't very long...I went to Disney and won the 800 there and then went to Mobile and got second with a 1:54.7, and then after that, my next big race wasn't really until States. A lot of racing between the 2 seasons, but I am very happy how it finished.
DB: You were able to travel quite a bit during this last track season. Any one event really stick out as being an exceptional experience?
SS: Boston was a great trip; my Coach and I had a lot of fun going around the city and what not; he traveled with me every race I had, it was a good time for sure. In between all my races I went to my college visits, so that was even more traveling; I went on like 13 round trip flights since the year started...lets just say I got a whole bunch of frequent flyer miles.
DB: Do you see yourself as strictly an 800 runner or do you enjoy running some of the longer races equally as much?
SS: I would say I am generally an 800 runner; however I am open to any event, as well as Cross. I ran a few 400\'s this spring; I won it at districts just for fun...I ran a few 200's just to try and get the school record. I do like the longer distances; I'm not as strong at them, but the mile and deuce are good races. I would say that I enjoy the 800 the most, just feels comfortable to me.
DB: On average, how many miles a week are you putting in? Are you the doubling type?
SS: I used to be a higher mileage guy, doing morning runs and a solid long run of 10-12 miles. But during track I really cut it back; my longest run was about an hour. It was just about seeing what worked for me and the training I was doing; if it isn't necessary to run 70-80 miles a week, then I won't do it, but if it is then I have no problem running that much.
DB: Where will you be attending school in the fall?
SS: Most likely, I'll be going to Auburn; they want me there, I want to be there. They have a good group of runners there as well as an awesome Coach. Sheridan Kirk runs 1:46 and still has another year and Chris Patrick is going there next year, so I have a great chance of improving significantly.
DB: Do you have any goals for the cross-country season?
SS: Just to get better; I don't know what Coach Fox\'s plans will be for me as far as the cross season goes, but I will dedicate myself to the program and do the best I can.
DB: Do you plan on running any post season meets during the summer.
SS: Golden South on Saturday, and maybe nationals, but only if I get into the fast heat.
DB: Do you have any goals you still want to achieve before the fall comes around?
SS: Yea, I really want to run a 1:52 or better; it's been my goal for a long time and racing against Tim Harris and the other guys should provide the right race to do it.
DB: If you\'re like most runners, you probably have some role models. Who are they?
SS: My Coach, for sure. He runs with us all the time and was a solid runner at Michigan and ran for Nike after that; he knows what he is talking about...it's sad though, because I could pound him in any workout we do J...just kidding. My dad is always there, he was a state champ in the hurdles in high school so it's nice to have someone to relate to and plus…. he is my dad; you got to look up to him. Also my big brother, good kid, he ran the 800 in high school, even though I shattered his PR of 1:59; he still thinks he can take me, but being that he is my big brother, I look up to him even though I could beat him all day.
DB: With both you and Bobby Yevich graduating this year, are there any middle-distance prospects coming up through the ranks at St Pete Catholic?
SS: Tough question? We have a handful of young guys that if they buy into the program can do well, but it might take a couple years; if coach works his magic, then there could be another runner like Bob or I, until then they just got to keep training !!
DB: Thanks Sam....Good luck at Golden South this weekend !