A moment's hesitation can be the difference between winning and losing in a race that lasts about two minutes. Many distance coaches have trouble getting their runners to enjoy track. Distance runners enjoy the wide open spaces of cross country running, but many feel confined by running continuously around a track. If they become bored and lose interest it results in poor performances. Athletes who are great cross country runners may become only good or average track runners.
Restoration is a very important component of any exercise training program.
Hans Selye, back in the 1950's, outlined the stress-adaptation syndrome of which recovery was a key to adaptation and compensation. They applied work to recovery ratios to the training of athletes and establishing training cycles where exercise and recovery were theoretically quantified. When coaching the 800-1600, the coach must find the right combination of both speed and endurance for that particular athlete. When working with 800 runners, in general, you don't need lots of time on the track. Remember, they only run 2 laps.