400m training
Posted: Sun Mar 03, 2013 10:49 am
Does 400m training help the approach run in the pole vault?
It depends on a few things. If you have poor running form then simply training for the 400m won't help much and may hurt in terms of reinforcing bad form. If you have years of solid training behind you (you're in your early-mid 20s, 5.35m PR, etc.) then it will likely slow you down a bit since the limiting factors in 400m performance are not the same as a 30-35m sprint with full recovery inbetween jumps.
Anyway, I'm assuming you're a bit of a greenhorn, which is fine, so 400m training could be beneficial (not ideal) for you. It could potentially allow you to help your team in multiple events (pole vaulters are usually one trick ponies which makes scholarships tough to get), make you faster since the 400m is by no means a slow race, and also have the added benefit of improving your overall work capacity so that you're able to do more high quality form work (short runs) in practice.