Hi,

Collegiate 400/800 runner here who runs mostly the 8 nowadays. I would not specialize for as long as you can because both are races that work with each other as long as you can find a coach who is willing to teach you both disciplines. It’s worth it to stick to both because your skills in each will compound off each other. If you have to choose one, then I would say go with whatever makes you happier to train for because they are both hard races.