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.