Yasso 800s

Today I tried the famed "Yasso 800" workout. For those that may not know, it is a speed workout where you run 800 meters, then recover for the same time you ran the 800, then repeat. According to this plan, you can predict your marathon time based on your 800 times. So if you run a 3 min. 30 sec. 800, you should theoretically be able to run a 3 hr. 30 min. marathon. Although - I have read the marathon time is typically 5-7 minutes longer for most that try this plan. Still I think a fairly reasonable predictor.

So I moseyed down to the local track and ran my warmup mile. I felt a bit nervous as I haven't been on a track in very long while. I stretched after my warmup and off I went. I did 4 800's (from what I've read it's a six week program where you start with 4, then add one each week to get up to 10).

Heres my stats:

1st 800: 3:23

2nd 800: 3:53

3rd 800: 3:28

4th 800: 3:27

Average: 3:33

So now I can say I can run a marathon in 3:40 (adding in the 7 minutes for posterity)? Well maybe. At least now I know where I stand. In starting all this I really just wanted to be able finish under 4 hours, so this is definitely encouraging. Well, I REALLY just want to finish, but finishing under 4 hours would be great!