The Unmissed Memory

Talking about track gives me a sense of who I really am, since I ran for a number of years. But at the same time it reopen wound. I wish FCC had a track team, it would make my life. But at the same time it brings all the bad memories about it as well. My coach my senior year, was not the best. She told us that we could never beat a team that had not won the entire season. Our "Senior Night", track really doesn't have one you get a lanyard, but she tried to rearrange our relay that we had practiced and executed time, and time again but that made 2 other senior on the relay upset as well. Since I respected her more than they did, I told them to stay lined up the way she wanted until we got on the track, so that we could prove her wrong. She tried to set us up for failure and I did not appreciate it. In turn that night ended very badly, Jasmine another senior went off because she tried to pull us off the track and embarrass us. So, Jasmine and myself went off because we had been fed up with all her sly comments, and interpretations on what we should focus on more than our event. That particular coach makes me think there are other coaches that put their team down, but I doubt it because if you don't believe in something you won't support it.

Flashbacks

I went to a track meet at Tuscarora High School to help out my old team. I wanted to run so bad. My old team seem like they lack the motivation to even run. I worked the bull pin, which is where they get checked in for their races. A number of runners were late which was never allowed when I ran but I guess they don't care as much anymore. A lot of runners have scholarships so they felt like they didn't have to give their all but I don't think they realize how bad they look when they don't try. I was surprised by a lot of runners that I had previously ran with, they've improved a lot. When I was in the bull pin I tried to clean up as much as I could so that I could leave as soon as the meet was over. My old coach was happy to see me as were some of the parents that came to the meet. Since I look so young they asked me "What are you running today?". I answered sadly of course that I had graduated.The expression on their faces were surprised. I wish FCC had a team because I would surely be on it. You can never give a passion after a certain amount of time it becomes a part of who you are.

My Perspective

From the perspective of a sprinter it is hard to explain what it feels like not to be running anymore. I ran for 10 years before I came to college. Track has really framed my life so to speak because I have been involved in it since I was younger. It has taught me lessons about how to juggle more than one thing at a time, such as 4 events each meet and having time to still eat. It taught me how to handle a job, school, run, and have a normal teenage life all at the same time. In a way I think I abused my privilege of being on a track team, I thought it could last forever. Having to met the people I did during track it showed that even in competition, people can still be civil at the end of race even if they didn't win. There's always one that thinks their better but you ignore them and get back to what's really important. It's hard to adapt to only having school to worry about rather being in shape for my next meet, or just about how many hours I get at work. Track had an emotional effect on my life, it was apart of who I was. I was known as the "short girl that's fast", I lived up to that label at every given chance I was given. My family can tell how not having track is effecting me, they say I look lost and look I need something to do with my extra time. I have never had time on my hands because of everything I was involved in. It's a chapter in my life I wish didn't have to end, but its apart of growing up things end and you have to continue without them.

Rewarded for Qualifying

The majority of individual sprinting events have Preliminaries to give everyone a fair chance in winning the race. Preliminaries usually start in the beginning of the meet so that each race can be evaluated as soon as possible so the meet can continue. Remember a Meet is the entire Track event itself. Sometimes the heats are ‘seated’, which means that they by times, the times must be a certain length like 12.7 seconds—which is fast. The cut off for times is usually nothing over 13 seconds because that means you aren’t fast enough to be involved in the race. (time given is usually for a 100 meter dash). The next races are called Semi-finals because it explains itself, they’re before the finals. These races slim the runners down to about 7-8 runners at the most depending on the race. Some track meets are out to the get the runners because there are semi-semi-finals which makes the chances for runners that qualify even slimmer. But that normally does not happen. Finals are the main event that shows who is the best at that event specifically, and its overall in the entire meet out of all the teams. A runner feels amazing at the end if they win overall because that means they are the best at the moment.  

Field events also have qualifying flights. Flights are which bracket the jumper or thrower is in. Again each flight is set up with where individuals are in the same range of height, length, or distance. The field event work the same way only there is usually just preliminaries and finals because not often does it take much to beat others with more than one throw or jump.

*This is from a elementary to high school level perspective, at the college level things become more complex.

The Team Unites

The main events of the Track meets themselves are the Relays. To see four individuals become in sync with one another for a few seconds is amazing. Spectators enjoy them because to see a perfect focus of the team is unreal; it’s like they don’t have anyone around them and it’s just them running alone the track. The sprinting relays usually get more attention than the distance relays because it’s a fast paced race that requires about 6-8 people on the track running at a time. Before the race starts the teams must be set up into heats (the teams that involved in the race at a time-usually set up by running times) so that everyone knows who their running against. Then the teams walk to the track to line up heat by heat waiting to jump on to the track. When the runners get on to the track they go to a specific line in their line, each relay race has a specific line the runner must stand on. The first leg or runner sets the tone for the entire team, the 2^nd and 3^rd legs are supposed to keep the place or more up in front of other runners ahead otherwise maintain the place. The fourth leg is important; this runner should have the fastest time out of all the runners on the team because they have a lot of pressure on them to win the race for the team. Hand-offs are very important in these races, the baton must be on the inside of each runner at all times. The baton is what the times use to hand-off. Throughout the runners passes it must go right, left, right, left or however the runner is comfortable running with it. It must be in this pattern for the flow of the race will be thrown because the baton is in danger of happening which is never good. if a baton is dropped in a race the team is either disqualified because depending on how it dropped it could jeopardize another team’s chances (rolling into another lane on the track). Otherwise the team member could pick it up but it usually loses time for the team. The crowd goes wild and in sync a long, “Ooooooooooooooo…”, is yelled out because the baton has been dropped. The crowd is a part of the race as well because when another runner is about to pass another there is a whooping sound that echoes. The crowds loud and exploding comments are crazy because the runners can literally hear their passion about the sport in their voice.  

*This is from a elementary to high school level perspective, at the college level things become more complex.

Diet Of A Runner

Athletes must keep themselves hydrated and ready to run at all times. They must drink water or Gatorade, why Gatorade, I do not know because it is full of sugar, but it gets the job done. When drinking a runner should be aware of how much they are drinking close to their race, it can cause cramps and swishing in the stomach that makes them feel heavy while running.  I found water is best, crisp, refreshing, and doesn’t come out if you have to spit after a race. Which isn’t good, it can affect their running tremendously. A runner should always eat at least two hours before they have to run, this way their food is a little digested in their system.  If a runner gets hungry its best to just power up on a granola bar, fruit cup, or ask the coach is it okay for them to even have something. It is NEVER okay for a runner directly before a race, it causes cramps and the runner to throw up because the food doesn’t mix well with the body temperature after a race. There is always cases that defy these guidelines and remain unaffected, I am one. Most runners look like they eat absolutely nothing, but in reality they eat more than anybody they’ve probably met. When running all day, it makes a person hungry like they’ve never ate before. Of course, this is after the race is over and they don’t have to participate for the rest of the day. Most of the time it is not advised by any coach, official, anyone in the Track Nation.

*This is from a elementary to high school level perspective, at the college level things become more complex.

Field Phenomenon

Track & Field is how the sport is referred to, everyone knows the track includes running, but field has a wide range of events.  Some of the field events include running which are the jumping ones, while some require strength and precision. The events are long jump, triple jump, high jump, pole vault, discus, and shot put. Long and Triple jump are similar both require running down a run way but triple jump requires two legs when jumping whereas long jump only needs one to take off.  Both jumps have sand pits at the end of the run ways. Triple jump requires three lines and then the take board (line) to be on the run away, each board (line) is a certain distance away from the pit which means you must touch one of those with your foot when attempting a jump. Triple has two skips on one foot and a jump on the other leg when approaching the final board. Long Jump is a little easier as your running down the run way and approaching the board you must touch (hit) the board before taking off on one foot. High jump is a horizontal bar resting on to leveled devices. When high jumping the athlete must be very careful to not knock the bar off and to not injure their jump when going over and landing. An athlete who pole vaults is a very strong and precise person, as they run with the pole down the run way they must make sure it will slide into the space below the standards (upright bars) and crossbar. While making sure that happens they have to hoist themselves up into the air and over the crossbar. Throwing events are quite different from the others, they are usually excluded from the public eye, meaning they are out in fields because it is dangerous to be near them. Shot put in a metal ball that is precisely placed on the throwers shoulder, underneath the chin, next to the ear, it sounds difficult to do just by describing the form. After placing the shot (ball) to actually throw it, the thrower must slightly slide across the mat or cement, and push the shot up and out into the field.  Discus is harder to explain, the disc itself is a slight flat, but clearly has a certain amount of weight to it so it is not completely flat. For this throw the thrower must have their hand almost completely flat but with their fingertips still grips around it. To actually throw the disc they must spin and release without letting it go inside the netting, it flies like a Frisbee with weight to it into the field.

In high school Track and Field javelin and hammer throw are not allowed, the reason for I have never been told, I assume they require more skill than the allotted time can provide. Also, in indoor track triple jump and discus are not in the competitions. Many spectators come for certain events because it amazes them how an individual can yield such strength and focus it into one event or even multiple events.


 *This blog is from an elementary to high school level perspective, at the college level things become more complex.

The Difference Between Sprinters, Distance Runners

Every sport has its positions, lines, offense, defense, etc.; but in Track there aren’t any of those. Track is a sport that involves individuals accomplishing a goal by themselves without the hassle of worrying about where another person is so they can reach the goal, unless it’s a relay. Sprinters are short-distance runners that often have the most events to do in a meet that includes field. Distance runners usually just run long-distances because they’re not necessarily equipped to runner faster. Then are those who just participate in field events only because that’s what their best at and either rather not try anything else or just aren’t good at anything else, usually throwers. That is not always the case. Sprinters are the fast-pace athletes that use their legs for all they do. When sprinters run they’re generally on their toes, because they run at such fast paces to let their entire foot touch the ground would slow them down. Also, sprinters use starting blocks to run their race; they help the runner explode when they run. Starting blocks are a sprinters equipment that enables them from slipping when they’re about to start the race. Sprinters mostly participate in field events like long jump, high jump, or triple jump. Discus is also a possibility of a field event for a sprinter. Distance runners are the masters of pacing, they tend to run heel-toe because it’s a flat footed style that doesn’t need speed to be successful. Distance runners don’t need any equipment to start their race, except their feet. As well as their turnover speed, turnover speed comes at the end of their race when it’s just their time at stake. Their start for a race is usually staggered, about four runners on one line and six on the other. Distance races typically have about ten heats per race because there are so many people in the race at a time. Typically, distance runners don’t participate in field events, field events require speed, they may do high jump because they’re usually tall and skinny individuals who are distance runners.


 *This blog is from an elementary to high school level perspective, at the college level things become more complex.

Get Your Muscles Ready (Warming-Up)

Before you begin warming up everyone should wait until the entire team is ready and outside, unless they’re a deliberately late. Start off by running 4 laps at a reasonable pace that everyone can stay together. The pace should be fast enough to bend your knee and stride. A stride is how far apart your leading leg is from the other. Your leading leg is normally found by standing straight up and falling forward to see which one you catch yourself with. After you run the laps, stretching is next in even lines. Each stretch should last at least 15-30 seconds a piece. If needed depending on how often you stretch your muscles, a second time can always loosen the muscle more. Be sure not to over-stretch your muscle. After stretches, comes agilities, which are drills that help loosen your legs. Agilities should be down 30 to 40 meters out so that you have enough space to extend your leg.

As far as your arms are concerned, they should be in “pick an apple put it in a basket motion”. Your arms are in L-shape while your hands are flat, palm showing, straight up but to feel natural figure out how you would rather have your hand. When your hands are flat out, the track community says you go faster because there is no tension. When your hand is in a fist its thought that it takes away from the power of your running because it takes more energy to make a fist then to leave your hand free.

When at a meet it is best to act like you have sense and stretch properly. When the meet is at an indoor track, since the track is half the size of a normal track, warm up laps change. It is still the same amount (4) but that equals 2 laps on a regular track, its best to do an extra 2 laps at a slow cool down pace.  To prevent cramps during a race or an event stretch slowly for about 15 seconds to wake the muscle up. It isn’t good to just sit around while you’re waiting for an event, unless of course you’ve just finished. When warming up by yourself at a meet try to separate yourself from everyone unless you’re doing a relay and practicing hand-offs. Separating yourself helps you focus on what race you’re going to do. Usually sprinters and those who do field events have to stretch more because their muscles are constantly in use or bursting with strength at incredible speeds. Distance runners jog at a really light pace in place while shaking their hands, and bending down touching their toes to get themselves ready.

*This blog is from an elementary to high school level perspective, at the college level things become more complex.

Runner's Fashion Statement

The most important thing when running, you must be dressed appropriately. Not only for practice but for any event that you are participating in, each event is generally the same but sometimes there are exceptions. Always check with the officials to make sure you are “checked out”. “Checked Out” means your dress is fine or approved.

Practice Attire should be:

(From top to Bottom)

·         Hat (weather permitted)

·         Sweatshirt/running jacket

·         Long-sleeve shirt or Short-sleeve shirt

·         Long spandex

·         Short spandex

·         Sweatpants

·         Running shoes

-          Sprinters usually have shoes that support their arch

-          Distance runners have a flat shoe that supports their heal

This attire is worn in all weather. No matter how hot or how cold you must weather these layers at least during Warm-Up, because that’s what it’s supposed to do warm you up.

At a Track Meet Attire:

·         Team Sweat suit

·         Short or Long Sleeve shirt

·         Jersey

·         Spandex shirt under if you want

·         Team Spandex

·         Running shoes for warm-up

·         Spikes

-          Spikes- a shoes that helps runners stick into the track, they help runners run faster

-          Sprinters and Distance runners also have different spikes, each support the same as the shoe.

-          Sprinters have 7 spikes

-          Distance has 4 spikes

·         Field event shoes

-          Each field event has particular shoes that enables them to have a better result

If a runner wears something that is very obviously they must have the talent to follow. In the Track Nation, if you wear something that puts you in a place where everyone will notice you, you must have the talent to show that you drew attention for just that reason. During most field events (shot put, pole vault, high jump, and discus) and during races you have to tuck your jersey in. For the race it is easier for your number to be seen.

*This is from a elementary to high school level perspective, at the college level things become more complex.