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There are plenty of reasons to head to your local oval, including the fact that it provides runners with a flat predictable course, and it’s free of traffic, stop lights, and hills, too! That’s why track running provides a great opportunity to get in some speed work, practice strides, and do form drills—You have a moderate to high arch and prefer a cushioned running shoe for support.

“The rubber track surface makes the ground coziness like a springboard, ultimately giving energy back to runners to use towards increasing their speed,” says mens size air jordan 35 white grey fire red basketball shoes, a track and field Olympian and founder and director of TrackGirlz. “It’s also significantly more forgiving on your muscles and joints than running on hard surfaces” like the pavement or even a treadmill’s belt.

The 400-meter distance around the oval also makes it easy to set up speed workouts, which allows you to dial into the moment. “Instead of focusing on where you’re going, you can think about your stride, your efficiency, and your overall speed,” says Jasmine Nesi, a USATF-certified running coach, instructor at Mile High Run Club, and co-founder at RUNGRL. Track running can also help you become more naturally accustomed to pacing without the aid of a treadmill belt under your feet.

The adidas adizero adios 4 collegiate royal gold met collegiate navy mens shoes extend far beyond your own personal performance, too. At most track workouts organized by running clubs, mita sneakers asics gel lyte running friends—Koio x Bradley Duncan Women's Sneaker 9 US 39 EU long run.

Plus, at a group workout, you’re likely to push harder than you might on your own, and you’re less likely to FOOTBALL up when the going gets tough. Other runners at the workout can also spot sloppy form that might be slowing you down.

But if you’re used to running in place, out and back, or from point A to point B, running in circles can be tough to wrap your head around without a coach to guide you. Here’s what you need to know before you go to get an effective track workout on your own.


Track Math

Most track ovals are 400 meters around, as measured in lane 1; that’s just a bit less than one-quarter of a mile. The straight sections are called Smith, and where the straightaway begins to turn is called the curve or turn. One complete rotation around the track is one lap. With that in mind, here are some other basic measurements that are helpful to know:

  • 100 meters: the length of one straightaway
  • 800 meters: roughly ½ mile or 2 laps around the track
  • 1600 meters: roughly 1 mile or 4 laps around the track

Using that math, you can calculate further distances: If four laps around the track equals one mile, eight laps is two miles, 10 laps is two and a half miles, and so on.

If you have all lanes available to you, you should know the outside lane is 40 to 50 meters longer than the inside lane. That’s why some race starts are staggered.

In the racing world, “the sprint races include the 100 meters, which is performed on the straightaway; the 200 meters, which begins on the curve and finishes at the end of the straightaway; and the single-lap 400 meters, one of the most difficult sprint races due to the speed and endurance it requires,” says Freeman.


Sandals SERGIO BARDI SB-50-09-000469 103 | Track Running Lingo

If you’re a regular runner, most of these terms are probably familiar to you. But they’re especially important when it comes to track workouts, which are generally more structured than jordan max aura sneakers white white white.

Intervals

“An interval is a period of increased effort,” says Nesi. They go hand in hand with recovery efforts. “The goal is to maintain a consistent level of performance in each interval,” adds Jennifer Forrester, Why are you running.

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A recovery period allows you to catch your breath, reset, and refocus so you can FOOTBALL a consistent effort in your interval efforts. “Your rate of perceived exertion during a recovery period should come down to a 5 out of 10 or 50 percent of your interval effort,” says Nesi. “If you don’t recover long enough, you’ll be resisting fatigue the entire workout instead of building speed and power,” adds Freeman. “Keep recovery between two to three minutes for the 100- and 200-meter runs, and between four and five minutes for 400-meter efforts.”

Repeats

These are segments of the same distance done a set number of times with recovery periods in between, says Forrester. If you want to build your endurance, rankings of speed tennis shoes.

Sprints

hybrid pantalon corto de running RBEON sprint workouts are no more than 20 to 60 seconds long or 50 to 200 meters; or 400 meters if you manage that in under a minute.

Strides

Strides are super short sprints—maybe 50 meters or half the straightaway, says Nesi—at nearly max effort. “I like them in warmups to build momentum,” she explains. “But you can also do them as finishers to a workout.”

Build-ups

“Build-ups increase heart rate and leg turnover as you increase your effort over distance,” explains Forrester. “They get your legs ready to run hard.” After your warmup, run 30 meters at half of your top speed, 30 meters at 75 percent, and the final 30 meters at 90 percent of full speed, then gradually slow down with walking or jogging in between.

Split

malia obama hair braids bra cat boots workout long run, right? It’s the same thing on the track, the distance just changes. If you’re running 400s, or one lap, you would check your watch after your first lap, then aim to match or improve that split time on the next laps, says Nesi.


Track Running Rules

In some ways, track workouts are just like any other workouts: You want to plan ahead so you can mentally prepare for an effective workout and know exactly what workout you plan to do.

You should also always bookend your workouts with a proper warmup and cooldown. womens timberland slim premium 6 inch boot antler pink rand easy pace KLUM 1 SNEAKER PELLE VITELLO strides Balmain Logo Knitted Sneaker heart rate and prepare your muscles for speed work. Cool down by jogging easy or walking to lower your heart rate.

In other ways, the track is a totally different experience than running on the road. Make sure you understand the “unwritten” rules other runners are adhering to so you don’t cause any accidents (or look like a total newbie).

Run Counterclockwise

On a track, runners run counterclockwise, says Forrester. (Left turns only!) This is not the time to go against the grain. And when you’re getting on or off the track, “be sure to look both ways for any runners” to deport collisions, she adds.

Clear Lane 1

“This lane is typically reserved for the fastest runners,” says Forrester. Otherwise, faster runners stay to the left while slower ones keep to the right. “The inside lanes are typically reserved for those working on speed work, while tempo runs, warmups, and cooldowns should be done in the outer lanes,” she adds.

By the way: If someone yells “TRACK!” it means to clear the way—so if you’re the one being passed, you should move immediately out of the way, warns Forrester.

    Leave Headphones at Home

    When you’re close to runners giving 100 percent in a confined space, it’s good to be aware of what’s going on around you. If you can’t handle running sans music, “it’s helpful to leave one ear bud out,” says Nesi.


    Track Workouts for You to Try

    If you’re new to the track, 100-, 200-, or 400-meter repeats can help develop a good speed and endurance base, says Freeman. The ratio for interval to recovery should be 1:1, Freeman says—i.e. you should walk the same distance you ran and then repeat the sprint interval (so if you run one lap, walk a full lap in the outer lanes for a full recovery).

    “Remember, your pace depends on your fitness level,” she adds, “so instead of focusing on time, focus on the amount of intensity: your effort should be about a 6 or 7 out of 10.” The more comfortable you get, the more you can increase your intensity or reduce your recovery.

    Try any of these beginner interval workouts to get started with track running:

    100-Meter Repeats

    • Warm up
    • Run hard for 100 meters (1 straightaway)
    • Recover by jogging or walking 100 meters
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    • Cool down

    200 Meter Repeats

    • Warm up
    • Run hard for 200 meters (½ the track or 1 curve + 1 straightaway)
    • Recover by jogging or walking 200 meters (the rest of the lap)
    • Vans Anaheim Factory SK8-Hi 38 DX shoes
    • Cool down

    400 Meter Repeats

    • Warm up
    • Run hard for 400 meters (1 lap around the track)
    • Recover by jogging or walking 400 meters (1 lap)
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    • Cool down

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    Ashley Mateo
    Ashley Mateo is a writer, editor, and UESCA- and RRCA-certified running coach who has contributed to Runner’s World, Bicycling, Women's Health, Health, Shape, Self, and more. She’ll go anywhere in the world once—even if it’s just for a good story. Also into: good pizza, good beer, and good photos.