TAKING THE FIELD ON A Track

North side Chicago park Taken by PKSenagore July 17, 2016. All rights reserved.

LAST YEAR’S TURKEY TROT TRAINING PLAN WITH TRACK DAYS INTRODUCED the concept of using a defined distance oval for one training day’s WORKOUT.  Competitor.com ran an article in 201, "Five Reasons to Run on a Track" that provided some reasons for taking on the track as a RACE venue.  
 
This type of competition might not appeal to everyone, and there may be limited opportunities to do so in an organized event.  However, using EARNED RUNS BIBS, track racing is entirely possible!
 
The author Brandon Laan explains that his “article is not about training on the track, however, but rather about the benefits of racing on an indoor or outdoor oval. A common misconception is that you must train on the track to race on the track. Rest assured, if you can run straight for 100 meters, turn left, then repeat, you will be fine.”
 
Why accept the challenge of track racing?
Here’s a summary of the reasoning presented by Laan; he says it helps with:
1) Setting a personal record
2) Getting out of a road racing rut
3) Respecting short distances
4) Gaining performance information
5) Avoiding bad weather (indoor)
 
REMEMBER, you can easily design a customized, personal track race using Earned Runs bibs. The only challenge may be to find a nearby track. High schools and colleges may provide convenient venues to use.
 
RUN HAPPY!
 
http://running.competitor.com/2014/05/training/5-reasons-to-race-on-the-track_46514