As a beginner runner, you may have mastered running around the block, and logging some miles on the treadmill. You should also always bookend your workouts with a proper?
There are plenty of reasons to head to your local oval, including the fact that it provides runners with a flat predictable course, and it’s free of traffic, stop lights, and hills, too! That’s why track running provides a great opportunity to get in some speed work, practice strides, and do form drills—all of which will make you a stronger runner.
“The rubber track surface makes the ground feel like a springboard, ultimately giving energy back to runners to use towards increasing their speed,” says around the oval also makes it easy to set up, Run hard for 200 meters ½ the track or 1 curve + 1 straightaway TrackGirlz. “It’s also significantly more forgiving on your muscles and joints than running on hard surfaces” like the pavement or even a treadmill’s belt.
The 400-meter distance around the oval also makes it easy to set up speed workouts, which allows you to dial into the moment. “Instead of focusing on where you’re going, you can think about your stride, your efficiency, and your overall speed,” says Jasmine Nesi, a USATF-certified running coach, instructor at Mile High Run Club, and co-founder at RUNGRL. Track running can also help you become more naturally accustomed to pacing without the aid of a treadmill belt under your feet.
The meters: roughly 1 mile or 4 laps around the track extend far beyond your own personal performance, too. At most track workouts organized by running clubs, Run hard for 400 meters 1 lap around the track running friends—the kind who help you get out the door in epic conditions or tough out a long run.
Plus, at a group workout, you’re likely to push harder than you might on your own, and you’re less likely to give up when the going gets tough. Other runners at the workout can also spot sloppy form Health & Injuries.
But if you’re used to running in place, out and back, or from point A to point B, running in circles can be tough to wrap your head around without a coach to guide you. Here’s what you need to know before you go to get an effective track workout on your own.
Track Math
Most track ovals are 400 meters around, as measured in lane 1; that’s just a bit less than one-quarter of a mile. The straight sections are called straightaways, and where the straightaway begins to turn is called the curve or turn. One complete rotation around the track is one lap. With that in mind, here are some other basic measurements that are helpful to know:
- 100 meters: the length of one straightaway
- 800 meters: roughly ½ mile or 2 laps around the track
- 1600 Does Running Burn Fat
Using that math, you can calculate further distances: If four laps around the track equals one mile, eight laps is two miles, 10 laps is two and a half miles, and so on.
If you have all lanes available to you, you should know the outside lane is 40 to 50 meters longer than the inside lane. That’s why some race starts are staggered.
In the racing world, “the sprint races include the 100 meters, which is performed on the straightaway; the 200 meters, which begins on the curve and finishes at the end of the straightaway; and the single-lap 400 meters, one of the most difficult sprint races due to the speed and endurance it requires,” says Freeman.
Track Running Lingo
If you’re a regular runner, most of these terms are probably familiar to you. But they’re especially important when it comes to track workouts, which are generally more structured than long, steady state runs.
Intervals
“An interval is a period of increased effort,” says Nesi. They go hand in hand with recovery efforts. “The goal is to maintain a consistent level of performance in each interval,” adds Jennifer Forrester, a former D1 sprinter and the co-director of TrackGirlz.
Recovery
A recovery period allows you to catch your breath, reset, and refocus so you can give a consistent effort in your interval efforts. “Your rate of perceived exertion during a recovery period should come down to a 5 out of 10 or 50 percent of your interval effort,” says Nesi. “If you don’t recover long enough, you’ll be resisting fatigue the entire workout instead of building speed and power,” adds Freeman. “Keep recovery between two to three minutes for the 100- and 200-meter runs, and between four and five minutes for 400-meter efforts.”
Repeats
These are segments of the same distance done a set number of times with recovery periods in between, says Forrester. If you want to build your endurance, you can shorten the amount of recovery time you take between each repeat.
Sprints
A sprint is an all-out, full-speed effort over a short distance, says Nesi. Most sprint workouts are no more than 20 to 60 seconds long or 50 to 200 meters; or 400 meters if you manage that in under a minute.
Strides
Strides are super short sprints—maybe 50 meters or half the straightaway, says Nesi—at nearly max effort. “I like them in warmups to build momentum,” she explains. “But you can also do them as finishers to a workout.”
Build-ups
“Build-ups increase heart rate and leg turnover as you increase your effort over distance,” explains Forrester. “They get your legs ready to run hard.” After your warmup, run 30 meters at half of your top speed, 30 meters at 75 percent, and the final 30 meters at 90 percent of full speed, then gradually slow down with walking or jogging in between.
Split
You know what a mile split is during a long run, right? It’s the same thing on the track, the distance just changes. If you’re running 400s, or one lap, you would check your watch after your first lap, then aim to match or improve that split time on the next laps, says Nesi.
Track Running Rules
In some ways, track workouts are just like any other workouts: You want to plan ahead so you can mentally prepare for an effective workout and know exactly what workout you plan to do.
You should also always bookend your workouts with a proper warmup and cooldown. Jog at an easy pace for 10 to 15 minutes before the track workout. At the end of the warmup, add some strides to help boost your heart rate and prepare your muscles for speed work. Cool down by jogging easy or walking to lower your heart rate.
In other ways, the track is a totally different experience than running on the road. Make sure you understand the “unwritten” rules other runners are adhering to so you don’t cause any accidents (or look like a total newbie).
Run Counterclockwise
On a track, runners run counterclockwise, says Forrester. (Left turns only!) This is not the time to go against the grain. And when you’re getting on or off the track, “be sure to look both ways for any runners” to avoid collisions, she adds.
Clear Lane 1
“This lane is typically reserved for the fastest runners,” says Forrester. Otherwise, faster runners stay to the left while slower ones keep to the right. “The inside lanes are typically reserved for those working on speed work, while tempo runs, warmups, and cooldowns should be done in the outer lanes,” she adds.
By the way: If someone yells “TRACK!” it means to clear the way—so if you’re the one being passed, you should move immediately out of the way, warns Forrester.
Leave Headphones at Home
When you’re close to runners giving 100 percent in a confined space, it’s good to be aware of what’s going on around you. If you can’t handle running sans music, “it’s helpful to leave one ear bud out,” says Nesi.
Track Workouts for You to Try
If you’re new to the track, 100-, 200-, or 400-meter repeats can help develop a good speed and endurance base, says Freeman. The ratio for interval to recovery should be 1:1, Freeman says—i.e. you should walk the same distance you ran and then repeat the sprint interval (so if you run one lap, walk a full lap in the outer lanes for a full recovery).
“Remember, your pace depends on your fitness level,” she adds, “so instead of focusing on time, focus on the amount of intensity: your effort should be about a 6 or 7 out of 10.” The more comfortable you get, the more you can increase your intensity or reduce your recovery.
rate of perceived exertion:
100-Meter Repeats
- Warm up
- Run hard for 100 meters (1 straightaway)
- Recover by jogging or walking 100 meters
- You know what a mile split is during a
- Cool down
200 Meter Repeats
- Warm up
- Run hard for 200 meters (½ the track or 1 curve + 1 straightaway)
- Recover by jogging or walking 200 meters (the rest of the lap)
- You know what a mile split is during a
- Cool down
400 Meter Repeats
- Warm up
- Run hard for 400 meters (1 lap around the track)
- Recover by jogging or walking 400 meters (1 lap)
- Repeat 6 times
- Cool down
