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Q&A for How to Prepare for a Track Meet
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QuestionHow can I condition myself for a track meet?Francisco Gomez is the Head Coach at the FIT Potato Gym, a training gym established in 2001 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Francisco is a former competitive runner who helps endurance athletes train for major marathons like the Boston Marathon. Francisco specializes in Injury Rehab, Flexibility, Marathon Training, and Senior Fitness. He has a B.S. in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology & Running.To stay lean and fit, be sure you strength-train at least twice per week. At the end of your workouts, try doing sprint exercises to improve your agility.
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QuestionWhat can I do to control my breathing?Community AnswerWhile running, you should breath in through your nose and out through your mouth; this will help prevent cramps. Your breathing is very important while running -- you need to get oxygen into your body so you don't pass out. Focus on long, steady breaths.
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QuestionWhat do I do when I'm nervous about my first ever track meet?Community AnswerIt is perfectly normal to be nervous before your first meet. To help calm your nerves, close your eyes, breath in deeply through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth. Shake your arms and legs to get the jitters out.
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QuestionWhat if my legs are hurting?Community AnswerStretch it out. Make sure that you stretch before and after the meet. Jump around a little and keep your legs moving; it will help it hurt less.
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QuestionIs it wise to eat candy and sweets before competing in a track meet?Community AnswerNo, it isn't. You could get cramps, which will affect you for the worst and you won't be able to run. Sugar may also give you diarrhea and a need to stop during running. Stick to healthy foods with plenty of long-burning energy release.
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QuestionShould I eat breakfast before a meet?Community AnswerYes, but be careful. You want to eat enough food to fill you up and give you some energy, but you don't want to eat so much that you get sick when you run. I would recommend maybe some eggs and toast or a bowl of oatmeal.
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QuestionCan I first start sprinting, and then jog, and at the end of the race sprint again?Community AnswerIf you are talking about a 100m, you shouldn't jog at the end unless you are super tired (in that case you should be running and practicing more often). If it is a 200m, you should still sprint it all out. A 400m race is different -- you should sprint the first 50m, but then you should start to coast and try to maintain that speed before sprinting again in the last 100m.
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QuestionShould I go to the bathroom and do my business before the race?Community AnswerYes, you should because you don't want a full bladder before the race. It makes you uncomfortable. Just make sure you go in plenty of time before the race so as not to miss the race!
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QuestionWhat if I want do good a the 50 m race at school, but every other school has girls that are better than me?Community AnswerTry other races and don't give up. If you only sprint, consider talking to a trainer or a coach about working up to that point.
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QuestionHow can I win a 3000m race?Community AnswerPace yourself. Everyone else will probably sprint at the start of the race and tire themselves out. If you start slowly, you will have enough energy to sprint at the end.
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QuestionHow can I win when I'm slow?DonaganTop AnswererSlower runners can win long races if they build up their stamina.
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QuestionDo I have to run or jog at the meet?Community AnswerIt depends on your event. In the 100m and 200m, you have to sprint all the way. In the 400m, sprint at the start for about 75m, and then keep a fast jog until the last 100m, where you sprint your hardest. In the longer races (800-1500m), you should keep an easy-paced jog most of the way, and sprint at the end. For field events, like long jump and triple jump, you're better off sprinting, but it can be hard to get your footing right.
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QuestionHow can I prepare for a long jump?Community AnswerMake sure you put your mark down before actually competing. Also, get your run-through in so you know that you are prepared. Lastly, do some strides and practice a few pop-ups into the pit. Make sure you are well-stretched.
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QuestionWhat is a triple jump in track?Community AnswerIt's basically an extended long jump, where you combine the length of three consecutive jumps.
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QuestionHow can I motivate myself to keep going when I'm tired during a race?Community AnswerSay, "I only have 100 to go, then I'm done." When you get through that 100 say that again (trust me it will work). Also, think about things not related to track so you will get your mind of it.
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QuestionI try this and I still always come in last place. What else can I do?Community AnswerJust keep practicing. Keep at it, and, in time, you will improve.
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QuestionWhat if I forget to run the day before my race?Community AnswerDon't worry too much. It's good to have a rest day and take a break every now and again. Just be sure to warm up thoroughly so your muscles are ready for the race.
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QuestionWhat are some good tips for someone who is starting track for the first time?Community AnswerTry out lots of events to see which you like best. Attend every practice, and ask the coach or your team members for advice and help if you need it. You should also watch how others compete in the event you choose in order to pick up tips. Exercise so that you are in your best shape, and remember to eat healthy and get enough sleep.
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QuestionWhat do you do if your track meet was cancelled but then you found out that you were going to have it anyways and you barely got any practice?Community AnswerDo your best. Try to eat a healthy dinner the night before and get enough rest. It's okay if you haven't had a ton of time to practice or train. Relax yourself and let go of your nerves. Compete to the best of your abilities.
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QuestionShould you stretch for a 100 m race?Community AnswerYes, you should stretch and warm up regardless of which event you will be competing in. It is important to loosen up your muscles and get them ready to run.
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QuestionHow would I prepare for hurdles?Community AnswerYou could start by practicing hurdles in general. Stretch your legs, but don't stretch too much -- you just want to stretch enough to where your legs are ready for running.
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QuestionHow do you conserve your energy if you are competing in multiple events?Community AnswerPace yourself throughout the day. Do your best on each event, but try not to wear yourself out. Drink water and have an energy gel or snack between the events. If possible, try to sign up for a fewer number of events if you feel as though you are too tired to give your best in each.
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QuestionDo you need to wear anything special such as active wear?Community AnswerYou should wear your uniform if you have one. Otherwise, active wear would be a good choice.
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QuestionHow do I practice for shot-put?Community AnswerTo practice for a Shot-put, take an 8 pound ball, then step, step, push, and mark where you landed. Repeat this process and strive to better your distance.
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QuestionHow can I help myself prepare for pole vault?Community AnswerYou should practice the pole vault. You can also exercise or lift weights to get your body in top shape for competing.
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QuestionWhat about a triple jump?Community AnswerPractice the steps and footing. Don't make your muscles sore by practicing too much; this will limit your stepping ability.
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QuestionHow fast should I run on the 800m run?Community AnswerStart easy, then increase your speed mid-race.
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QuestionIs stretching the night before or the day of a meet more effective as oppose to a dynamic warmup?Community AnswerA dynamic warmup will prevent injuries during a race, so it should never be skipped. The more stretching you do, the better you will perform, so if you can stretch both the night before and day of, you will feel great.
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QuestionHow do I become faster at running? Each time I run with others, I am always last or close to last.Community Answer
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QuestionHow do I run my 4x8?Community AnswerYou can break it down as follows: For the first 150m, sprint, for the next 250m, jog at a good pace, next 100m, run at a slow sprint, next 100m, fast jog and finally, sprint the next 200m with everything left.
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