I am going into my Senior year and want to run track?

Question

i really want to run track this year but it will be my first time. i never had a chance to try out because i have been so busy in school and i want to run but i don't want to embarrass myself since this is my first time. i like running short distances. so what so i do to prepare for track season. thanks for ur answers

Answer 1

Sprinters need : 1) Power  (explosive power)

                        2) Flexibility

                        3) Form

Track doesn't start until spring. Could you take a yoga, tai chi, class or something like that part time this fall?  They help teach you deep breathing exercises, too.  If not, then ask the P.E. coach or track coach for tips on stretching exercises.  Flexibility will protect you from torn muscles and increase the length of your stride. Work on that first. When your flexibility is improving, then gradually begin your strength training, but don't stop the flexibility, always keep that going. Weight training will help increase power along with non-weight exercises such as push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups. Find someone such as your track coach or friend who is already a sprinter to show you the correct form for running. The motion of the arms helps to move the legs, use them as a team. Keep elbows and arms close to your sides moving straight back and forth, not a sideways twisting motion. Get a long rope around your waist and pull a friend hanging onto the ends of the rope behind you. Pull him/her like a sled dog with your friend running slightly slower to add resistance, especially for starting out of the blocks. Use wrist and ankle weights for some running sometimes, too. Hopefully, you have a knowledgeable and enthusiastic track coach whom will have good advice. My track coach was a great guy, but his love and expertise was in basketball. Good luck and have fun with it, I sure did.  

Answer 2

Well, if you consider yourself to be really fast you will want to try to 100m and 200m but the 400m is a good event for people a little bit slower but that can run hard for a long time.

Also you could try throwing or jumping.

Answer 3

I would say that 100m maybe 200m is your best bet because if you have natural talent it shows in those distances but if you want to 400m you need more than pure talent. you will need a lot of training and I must warn you 400m is a very hard race. I have seen people collapse during the race.