umm... anyone do track and field here?

[Rufus12]

If you're going to be on a track spikes are vital for the 100m. See if blocks are going to be available, because if they are you need to learn how to use them.

 

[John P]

I don't need spikes right? and they are for x-country right?

If you are running a fairly modern track surface then you can wear spikes for all those disntaces if you really want to. They would only be used for actual races, not training, that is if you value your knees Since it's a corporate race I wouldn't think you would need spikes or blocks, but I suppose you could try to find out how serious the event has been since it's been held in past years.

As far as shoes, nobody can recommend a model without looking at your feet. Running shoes come in different shapes, curved, semi curved and straight. I have fairly straight feet, if I wear curved running shoes my poor little pinky toes get crushed. If you want a real nice pair and are willing to pay full price and get a perfect fit find your local running shop - they will have experts to fit you.

Otherwise - do some googling and figure it out for yourself

 

[iwantanewcomputer]

decent for someone that doesnt do cardio regularly. just hope nobody cares about how good of shape they are in

50 is a pretty good 400, though i had a coach in hs that did 46.something. There was also a sprinter that came back from an injury a few weeks before our leage meet. He had never raced over a 400...and the coach stuck him in the anchor for the 4x800. he ran the first lap in a 49.0...second in 61

 

[sash1]

Originally posted by: andylawcc

Originally posted by: sash1
And get some Aasics running shoes. Only upper body strength you should do is abs and back. A strong core will help your running posture and make running easier. And don't bend your elbows when you run. Just wastes energy, keep 'em at a 90 degree angle.

where do I get them, just any store? which model and how much do they normally run for (no pun really intended)

granted, equipment should be of my lesser concern. How should i train though?

so "working on upper body strength / abs and back" = situps?
and thanks for the "not bending elbows" tip.

Any sporting store. Dicks, or whatever you have down there. Even target might carry them, I dunno. The Asics 2110 is the newest model. That series is what I've always worn. Whatever Asics you can get, they're just good running shoes with excellent support. Whatever fits your foot the best is what you want

Training? Just go out and run. It really depends how much time. If it's just a couple of weeks, just go out and run and work on cardio. If it's a month or two I can give you some good detailed workouts to get good strength and cardio for those events. Otherwise, just work on cardio.

Yeah, crunches are good. Strong core = better posture. And yeah, a lot of new runners will tend to bend their elbows when they run. All this does is tell your body to send oxygen to your arms, which you don't need. Keep your arms loose and elbows locked at 90 degrees so you don't waste energy that your legs need.

Also, drink lots of water and on "race day" I personally suggest propel. I've never been a big gatorade fan. I love propel fitness water, tho.

 

[Miramonti]

Your times are very good for someone w/o any background in running and no training. If you run 4 times a week to get ready you'll do very well except against ringers.

 

[andylawcc]

Originally posted by: sash1
Training? It really depends how much time. If it's a month or two I can give you some good detailed workouts to get good strength and cardio for those events.

I will have less than 3 month. the event is on Nov 4. and school will start in late Sept so I can only train effectively during the Summer break (sept 1- sept 21). Other times, I maybe able to train during weekends.
anyhow, your "recipe" will be mucho appreciated

And yeah, a lot of new runners will tend to bend their elbows when they run. All this does is tell your body to send oxygen to your arms, which you don't need. Keep your arms loose and elbows locked at 90 degrees so you don't waste energy that your legs need.

but don't you need to use some energy to keep your elbows at 90 degrees?

 

[andylawcc]

Originally posted by: John P.
They would only be used for actual races, not training, that is if you value your knees Since it's a corporate race I wouldn't think you would need spikes or blocks, but I suppose you could try to find out how serious the event has been since it's been held in past years.

Otherwise - do some googling and figure it out for yourself

since I am computer geek, researching for these gears is like finding the perfect video card capable of being overclocked it to the max.

so I was looking in those "lightweight trainers" and "racing flats." Screw those Motion Control and Extra Cushioning stuff, I need every single edge! Yawww!! ! ! !

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: andylawcc
but don't you need to use some energy to keep your elbows at 90 degrees?

no, take physics.

 

[JRich]

Originally posted by: siameseplease

Originally posted by: JRich
I can run sub 50sec 400's and around 5min for 1600m. I'm 25 also and I have asthma. For me it was all about conditioning.

sub 50 sec 400? youre what we call in high school track and field "godlike". i run the 400 in 54 800 in 2:00, 1600 in 4:30, (this year going for school record of 4:24). cross country is where its at. this year we are statebound...

quote/And get some Aasics running shoes. Been using them my whole life and I love 'em. Just go out there and run. Only upper body strength you should do is abs and back. A strong core will help your running posture and make running easier. And don't bend your elbows when you run. Just wastes energy, keep 'em at a 90 degree angle./endquote

QFT i have always had asics trainers, will stay loyal to my puma spikes too. if you have a while beforehand, get in some milage, that will always help.

What sucks right now is I've developed microfractures in my heels from work and I can't run (fast) at the moment. I can jog and do light workouts, but no sprinting which is what I love to do.

 

[bunker]

Also, with regards to your arms, do not cross them in front of your body. They should go straight out in front of you, almost robot like.

One thing our coach did that really seemed to help me out was force us to do laps using extremely exaggerated (long) strides. It lengthened my regular stride which helped me improve tremendously. The shorter the stride, the more steps you're taking and the more work you're doing.

 

[allies]

I started track/xcountry my junior year of high school. Personal bests:

400: 52 or something split, never ran 400 open
800: 1:57.XX
1600: 4:26.XX

Definitely wish I would've started freshman year. Oh well though. As stated previously, get some decent running shoes (asics are my personal favorite - look into brooks, mizunos, sauconys, or new balance also), get some base milage in, and do some workouts. You'll improve drastically.

 

[tfinch2]

15.58 100m? I can run it that fast back peddling.

The last time I was timed running I ran the 40 in 4.7 in HS. I played basketball though.

 

[CollectiveUnconscious]

Before reading this thread...my 1600 was 4:54 and my 800 was 1:52. That's what I ran throughout high school. I never ran in college. Both of your times are sub-par.

 

[mchammer]

Originally posted by: JRich
I can run sub 50sec 400's and around 5min for 1600m. I'm 25 also and I have asthma. For me it was all about conditioning.

:Q Shens or you are hardcore.

 

[John P]

Originally posted by: JRich
I can run sub 50sec 400's and around 5min for 1600m. I'm 25 also and I have asthma. For me it was all about conditioning.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Shens or you are hardcore.

The last time I was in any sort of real running shape I ran in the Corporate National Relays here in Seattle, I believe that was in 1992. I trained for several months and ran about a 56 second 400m. Not bad for a slow, out of shape white guy.

There were a couple of guys from Hughes and Tenneco running about a 45 second 400m (luckily they have different team brackets so we were not running against them). They were a joy to watch, it didn't even look like they were expending any effort, silky smooth form. And here I am - sprinting 300m - then stopping to strap the piano AND gorilla on my back for the last 100m

 

[eLiu]

15sec is slow for the 100m... :/