Dan – who authors one of my favorite blogs – shared a great 3 minute video that explains why the 400 meter is considered among the most painful events at the Olympics.
In sum, it is because it is at that uncomfortable length where you have to run at close to full pelt to win. However, no human can run it all out from start to finish.
As a result, a runner uses four different stores of energy. The first 50 meters involves the “ATP-CP” – the energy system that makes the explosive start possible. This lasts 5-10 seconds.
Next, the runner moves to anaerobic glycolysis – this burns glucose without oxygen, leading to lactic acid buildup and muscle fatigue. This is when the runner is running at ~90% of full capacity.
Next, the runner uses aerobic energy. However, this uses oxygen to break down glucose and cannot keep up with the demand.
This means the final 300-400 meters is when the runner taps their anaerobic energy reserves when the aerobic energy is too slow to fill the gaps. This results in lactic acid buildup that, in turn, means pain.
This means the last 100 meters is a test of the runner’s pain threshold. Whoever has the highest pain threshold at this point wins.
We’ve been watching a lot of track and field events over the past weeks. While every one of them looks challenging (in different ways), this video made me see the 400m in new light.
It also made me appreciate just how incredible our bodies are.
Take good care of it, we must.
