My short-term track/running/fitness goals: Break 4 minutes for 1500m, 2:00 for 800m. Currently at 4:06 and 2:00.1 (the latter is so heartbreaking!). Squat 250lbs (currently at 185, weighing 138).
Educational goals: 4 publications in the next two years, complete PhD (CS). Get a solid grasp on differential calculus. Truly understand relativity and quantum mechanics.
Any advice from people who've tackled any of the above is welcome. Thanks.
Well I'm way behind you in the running (I'm attempting to do eight-minute miles) but ahead of you in the relativity and quantum mechanics, so I'll say this: you'll never get a proper understanding by reading popular-science type books. You want to get proper textbooks and work through the problems one by one. I can recommend Understanding Einstein's Relativity" by D'Inverno and Eisberg and Resnick for Quantum Mechanics.
Note: that last one won't get you into really interesting bits like the interpretation* of quantum mechanics, but I think you need to have a thorough understanding of the mathematics before you tackle the philosophical issues.
Squatting 250 at 138 lbs bodyweight would be something to be very proud of. I don't have access to my records, but I think my max was about 325 at around 175 lbs bodyweight maintaining very good form and going deep.
There's nothing to it really: squat heavy 2-3 times a week, increase the weight regularly in tiny increments, get plenty of rest, and eat lots of protein. If you're overtraining, drop back to 1-2 times a week.
Weight training is fun because results are directly correlated to how hard you work at it!
Absolutely. The 800m is primarily an aerobic endeavor, so it is important that you are fit. I'm not sure how much you're running presently, but your goal should be to improve your aerobic fitness: that means easy running at conversational pace, and an occasional harder run of ~20 minutes in duration.
That said, in such a short event, a fair deal of power is required. Thus, doing short hill sprints (from 60-200m) in the months prior to your attempt would be helpful. Be careful to introduce these slowly. Start with only two, and work up to, say, eight over a period of as many weeks.
Finally, interval work is crucial, although one has to be very careful -- too much too soon, and injury is basically guaranteed. Focus on workouts with rest time greater than or equal to your work, like 4-5x400m or 6x200m. You could do one workout a week.
My favorite book is Healthy Intelligent Training by Keith Livingstone. It's an incredible resource. Also, there's a ton of theory on 800m training in the following thread
My short-term track/running/fitness goals: Break 4 minutes for 1500m, 2:00 for 800m. Currently at 4:06 and 2:00.1 (the latter is so heartbreaking!). Squat 250lbs (currently at 185, weighing 138).
Educational goals: 4 publications in the next two years, complete PhD (CS). Get a solid grasp on differential calculus. Truly understand relativity and quantum mechanics.
Any advice from people who've tackled any of the above is welcome. Thanks.