When you leave the blocks you accelerate and try to get to your maximum speed. "The success of the reaction phase is determined by the speed of reaction to the gun and the subsequent force exerted against the blocks. After leaving the blocks, the athlete enters the acceleration phase of the sprint(187, Jeffreys). Once you complete the acceleration phase, you should try to maintain your current speed you have and not try to keep accelerating.
"Athletes who have a longer acceleration phase to top speed have an advantage in this phase because they have been required to hold maximum speed for a shorter distance... In considering the 200 and 400 meter sprints, the acceleration stage is lengthened. Unlike the 100 meters, where in most case the athletes aim to accelerate maximally to achieve top speed as soon as possible (188, Jeffreys). For shorter distances you try to make your acceleration phase faster so you can get up to your maximum speed before the finish line. But for longer distances like the 200 meter your accelertaio phase typically ends once you turn the curve, so you have a little more time to reach maximum speed
How long do you think the acceleration phase is?
Jeffreys, Ian. Developing Speed. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 2013. Print.
