A decathlon is a multiple event competition. There are four running races as part of the events, so after completing those events you will have run 2110 meters (and have gone over 10 hurdles), less than 1 1/3 miles. There are 4 other events in the decathlon that involved running, as a set up to jump or throw. You get three attempts in each of those events and your distance to run up is your choice (averaging 25-30 meters each time for a long jump, a high jump significantly shorter). Then there are two events that are throws from a circle.
The main point is, the decathlon is not about long mileage like a marathon, it is about excellence over a variety of events, or tests. Further, it is difficult to train for all of those events at the same time. In particular, the body type that would be ideal for the Shot Put and the 1500 meters are about as opposite as possible.
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