If you want to become a faster runner, youll probably end up doing a lot ofspeedworkon a track.
But how do you find one thats open to the public?
Turns out its easier than you might think.
Many public high school tracks are available for the community to use.
I run on a local school track, and the way I found it was pretty straightforward.
Thats the track I now run on most often.
I’ve found that schools don’t always put their track policy (or locations!)
online, so an old-fashioned phone call really is the quickest way to this information.
Local running clubs may also keep their own lists of favorite tracks, trails, and other run-friendly locations.
Check maps
Oval running tracks are easy to spot on maps.
What are the rules of running on a track?
There really aren’t many points of etiquette to worry about, though.
Dont expect thateveryschools track will always be open, though.
But when youre walking or warming up, you should stay in the outer lanes.
Go the correct direction
On a track, usually everyone runs counter-clockwise (turning left).
That’s standard for competition, anyway.
Do what everybody else is doing.
How do you do running workouts on a track?
The track is there for anything youd like to do, so there isnt a specific procedure.
Then do another fast interval, and repeat the process until youre ready to go home.
This can be a brisk walk, a slow, easy jog, or a mix of the two.
You want to finish this step feeling warmed up and ready to worknot exhausted.
Walk the curved part of the track (this is about 100 meters).
spin up the straight part of the track (this is also about 100 meters).
Dont go all-out, just keep up a strong, fast pace.
Repeat steps 2 and 3 as many times as desired.
you’re free to do more later.
Jog at least a lap or two to cool down, more if you like.
Runners would call the above workout 8 x 100 since you are doing eight 100-meter runs.
(The walking in between is considered the recovery.)
