FitSugar

5 Reasons to Run on a Track

FitSugar — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 06:00:00 -0700

If running is your main form of cardio, then you probably either run on a treadmill, the sidewalk or pavement, a trail, or an elliptical. Not too many people run on tracks because they say it's boring to run around in circles, but here are some reasons you may want to hit a track next time you slip on your sneaks.

The surface is spongy and forgiving, so it's great for knees and other joints. The softer surface also reduces your risk of injury.
Since you know exactly how long a loop is, it's easy to track your distance.
If you're working on increasing your speed, the smooth, flat, and predictable surface is perfect. You can run as fast as you want without worrying about sticks, holes, rocks, or gum.

If you want to know the other reasons you should run on a track, then keep reading

Winterize Your Workouts: Indoor Track Tips

FitSugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:00:00 -0800

If you're used to running outside, and the colder weather has forced you to exercise inside, working out on an indoor track is a great option. Many gyms and health clubs have them, and one reason they're a pleasure to run on is that their surface is spongy, so it's easier on your joints. It's the closest you can get to actually running outside because you're using your own muscle power to propel yourself forward, unlike running on a treadmill. While running in circles might feel a bit boring, you can easily keep track of your distance, and you know it's accurate. Who knows if cardio machine displays are all that precise?

The only downside to jogging on a track is that it feels quite repetitive. If you're interested in learning some great ways to keep it fun and fresh, read more.

Do interval training by sprinting the straights and walking the curves, or vice versa.
Run in the opposite direction. If you're constantly running clockwise, you're working one side of your body more, which could result in an overuse injury. So alternate between clockwise and counter-clockwise. Just be on the lookout for other runners, since this is a little against track protocol.
Do walking lunges around the track to strengthen your thighs and glutes, open your hips, and stretch your calves.
Make your legs and core work harder by walking or running with high knees.
Run sideways. Turn your body so the outside edge of your right foot is facing the direction you want to move. Take a step forward with your right foot, then step your left foot to meet your right, and repeat. Move as quickly as you want, doing one lap with your right leg leading, then another lap with your left. This is great for toning your outer thighs.
Jump rope around the track. This is best done when the track is less populated for obvious reasons.

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Sanya Richards Goes For Gold, Again!

FitSugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 03:30:00 -0700

If you don't already know the name Sanya Richards, then it's about time you learned about this 23-year-old amazing athlete.

Sanya Richards already achieved Olympic gold in Athens in 2004, but things have changed since then. In 2006 Richards was diagnosed with Behcet's Syndrome - a rare disease resulting from inflammation of the blood vessels, which causes pain, swelling, and stiffness of the joints (among other things). Despite her painful illness, Richards finished first in the 400-meter race during the US trials, and she's expected to medal in this Olympics.

I'm always thoroughly impressed with athletes just from their stamina and strength, but when they overcome hurdles that would make most of us throw the towel in, I'm in awe. Cheer on Sanya at the Olympics in Beijing that begin Aug. 8 - yay!

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Track Etiquette

FitSugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:00:00 -0700

I have been hitting the track lately for sprint interval workouts. The track close to my house is full of folks working out, which I must say makes my heart swell with joy. All those people exercising outside feels like an inspirational community to me. Problem is some folks don't know how to share.

Like most public spaces, there is an etiquette to working out at a track. Just like driving on the freeway, the inside lanes are for fast running, and you should keep to the right if you're going slowly. If you're walking or doing a recovery jog interval, stick to the outside lanes. You should also yield to faster runners.

Another important unstated rule is that the direction of traffic is counter clockwise. So don't run against the flow. As always, have fun out there.

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Learn to Love: Running at the Track

FitSugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 05:30:00 -0700

The expression "I am running around in circles" definitely has a negative connotation, but I am here to say that running around in circles, well ovals really, when at the track is something you should learn to love. Before you protest, let me list my reasons why I have come to love track workouts.

Body Health:

Be it a dirt or a composite track, the surface is much easier on your joints than unforgiving concrete sidewalks and even softer than more forgiving asphalt streets.
Warming up is easier at the track for me. I actually do a track warm up with a two lap combination of skipping, side to side grapevines, jogging and high knee lifts to warm up my hip flexors, followed by some stretching.

Safety:

Simply put – there are no cars on the track, so you don't have to worry about getting hit by an automobile. You can actually space out, crank your tunes, or really focus on your running stride and gait.
There is safety in numbers. Running alone before the sun comes up or after it goes down can be a bit risky. There are generally a handful of people running or walking at the lit tracks so you can worry less.

Oh, I am not done yet! To see the rest of my reasons, read more.

Timing/Interval training

You can accurately monitor your pace at the track by timing every lap, so they are great for tempo runs.
Running intervals is so easy at the track – make every third lap a sprint and measure how far you can go before you feel the need to slow down, but do try to push yourself to the finish line.
Running with people around can really bring out your competitive spirit and make you run just a little bit faster. You know the thought, "I am going to pass the dude."

Formality

The track just seems so formal that it brings out the best in me. I feel it really reigns in my wandering mind and makes me focus on my running technique. Yep, it reminds me of track practice from the days of yore and helps me channel my inner coach.

I know that if I only ran in circles at a track, I would probably lose my mind. But I do so like to mix it up, and running intervals at the track is actually fun and doable. Try it. You just might like it and even learn to love it.

Fit's Tip: If you do all your running on a fancy track with a slight grade, make sure to run in both directions around the track since the angle of the ground can throw off your gait and possibly create an over use injury on one side of your body.

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Track, Treadmill, Trail, or Sidewalk?

FitSugar — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 03:00:00 -0700

I wasn't born a runner, but now that I've been doing it for a while, I crave it. Even when I get on my sneaks to go for a walk, I get this surge of energy and inspiration to run instead. Running gives me an incredibly strong feeling inside and out. It helps me clear my head and work my heart.

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My favorite place to run is on a trail because it's so quiet. I love being surrounded by trees and all the sticks, hills, rocks and toads (I saw one on the trail yesterday) make an interesting obstacle course. Running on a trail in the woods is more fun and it makes the time go by really fast.

What about you? When it comes to running, what's your preference?

In Praise of Running at a Track

FitSugar — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 13:30:00 -0700

Running...it is a great way to exercise but it can get boring no matter where you do it. That is why it is great to mix it up and run in different places and different environments. That is why I headed for the track this morning.

I haven't run on a track since high school and let me tell you it was fun and read on to see why I think it is so great.

Safety:

There are no cars on the track, so you don't have to worry about getting hit by an automobile. This one I think is a super plus.
There is safety in numbers. Running alone in the dark can be a little scary and there are generally a handful of people running or walking at the track so you can worry less.

Easy on the body

Tracks are generally much more forgiving to your joints than pavement and since the impact of running can stress your joints it is nice to give them a break.
I find warming up and stretching is just easier at the track. After running a gentle lap, I stop and stretch out my legs and back. Plus there are generally fences to hold onto for balance.

If you want to see the rest of my reasons, read more

Timing/Interval training

You can accurately monitor your pace at the track by timing every lap.
Running intervals is so easy at the track - make every third lap a sprint and measure how far you can go before you feel the need to slow down.
Running with people around can really bring out your competitive spirit and make you run just a little bit faster. You know the thought, "I am going to pass the dude."

I know that if I just ran on a track I would probably get bored. Boredom seems to be the number one motivation killer, so this is a great way to mix it up. Plus you can really crank your iPod (might not be great for your ears though) while you are running since you don't need to be on the look out for all those pesky cars.

Fit's Tip: If you do all your running on a fancy track with a slight grade, make sure to run in both directions around the track since the angle of the ground can throw off your gait and possibly create an over use injury on one side of your body.

Jessica Biel Hits the Track and so Should YOU!

FitSugar — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 11:37:52 -0800

Jessica Biel works out and she works out hard but it definitely pays off.

Want to hit the track to start training for your title as sexiest woman alive but have no idea what to do then, read more

Go to a track and run a lap (400m) at a high intensity for your skill level -- say 2 minutes for one lap. Then rest for 90 seconds and go at it again.

This time, try to keep the same time (2 minutes or better) for your sprint, but use more intensity. Repeat 8 times (about 1.5 miles). Each time you go around try and keep the same time or better (as your original lap) but increase the intensity.

Be sure to warm up before you start running and to stretch after. If you don't typically run (or do any kind of cardio training) you may want to start with longer distances (at a slow pace) for a few weeks rather than jumping right into sprint training.

Fit's Tip: Scope out a local track for when it is open to the public. Also, some gyms have indoor tracks as well but a lap may be a shorter distance so go around twice or do more reps. Running on the track is a great way to switch up your workout.

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Fitbit Tracks Your Workouts and Your Sleep

FitSugar — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 12:00:00 -0800

Although I think healthy living is often about simplifying things, I still love techy health gadgets. If you're a health nut like me, you probably wonder everyday if you've gotten enough sleep or how many calories you burned on your morning jog. Most fitness gadgets only monitor your workouts, but the Fitbit ($99) keeps tabs on your sleep too. So it keeps track of you day and night.

It contains a motion sensor like the ones found in a Nike+ Sports Kit or the Nintendo Wii. The Fitbit measures the duration and intensity of your walks or runs, how many calories you've burned, the number of steps you've taken, and distance you've traveled each day. It also monitors your bedtime habits by tracking how long it took you to fall asleep, the number of times you woke up during the night, and how long you were actually asleep. It has a small blue OLED display that shows your steps, calories, distance, and overall activity level. Interested in more details? Then read more.

Fitbit is also wireless. Your data will automatically be uploaded to the Fitbit website as soon as you walk within 25 feet of the base station, which comes with the Fitbit. This tracking device isn't shipping until late December/early January, so if you want to be the first on your block to have one, you can preorder on the website.

Six Ways to Get Back on Track

FitSugar — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 03:30:00 -0700

Sunday mornings may start out lazy, but by the time afternoon rolls around, I always feel like it is time to get back on track. Creating a simple routine helps me make sure I have all my duckies in a row, from clean gym clothes packed in my gym bag to a meal plan for the week and steel cut oats started for breakfast. I love ending my weekend with a nice relaxing soak in the tub, which helps me sleep better so I start my upcoming week refreshed and ready to go.

Here are my suggestions for how to get back on track after a busy weekend.

Wash Your Workout Clothes	Plan Your Meals	Schedule Your Workouts
Pack Your Gym Bag	Start Your Oats For Breakfast	Relax With a Bath

What do you do to ensure that you start your week off on the right foot? Tell me how you get back on track in the comments section below.