Track Running

Track running is an excellent starting point for beginner runners. A track runner, gaining confidence and experience in this sport, can then move on to road running, trail running cross country running, marathons or almost any other form of running. Many, however, decide to become track runners. It is an individual preference.

Track running, as the name indicates, involves running on a track – indoors or outdoors. The track runner runs in a circle around an oval track. The usual local college or high school track is oval in shape and 400 meters long. In running a track, you are going in circles.

A track runner needs to train long and hard before he or she can reach the physical perfection and stamina of any of the famous track runners. If you want to know how to become a track runner, ask. If you train regularly, you will be able to know exactly how your progress is coming. You run a track in laps, allowing you to accurately gage your time and distance. After a good work out, you will resemble one of those track running cartoons. Helpful tips for track sprinters to run faster include bounding drills and sprinting drills. A cartoon track runner may exaggerate the bounding drills, but they are essential if you wish to improve you racing skills. If, as a track runner, a leg up is required, check out the net for helpful advice.

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There are a number of famous male and female track runners to emulate. Jess Owens (1913 - 1980), the track runner, is one of the most famous black male athletes in the 20th century. He won four gold medals in the notorious “Hitler Olympics” in Berlin, in 1936. Among many of his words of wisdom, these two are particularly apt quotes for track runners: “Friendships are born on the field of athletic strife,” and “One chance is all you need.” Jesse Owens is not the only track runner with great quotes. Once, when asked why the Kenyans ran so well, track runner Kip Lagat of Kenya said: “It’s the road signs, ‘Beware of the Lions.’”

Olympic track runner Wilma Rudolph (1940 – 1994) is another famous track and field star. She rose to glory in 1960 when she won three Olympic gold medals at Rome. Other current and past Olympic track runners include Mab Keflezighi, Frank Shorter, Billy Mills and Jeff Galloway.