Getting Set for Distance Running

Getting Set for Distance Running

Training is essential in every athlete’s life. It defines the athlete performance level on the aspect of sports event he has chosen. Whether you are a runner, football player, swimmer, cricket play, or volleyball player, it doesn’t matter because training must be done for the body to be adequately equipped, and ready for the main game. Here is how to prepare you into getting set for distance running.

There are plenty of things to put into consideration when distance running is involved. A runner should have comfortable running shoes, your running log. In the record, you can write all the vital statistics, as you oversee your progress and look out for signs that signify you have to improve. The log consists of daily distance covered, your weight, morning pulse, personal records as regards your run and your daily comments are also crucial because it gives you an idea of your feeling before and after a series. The log also helps you to keep track of when you start feeling any pain. You can then figure out the source of the problem and tackle it.

Moving on, while training of the real thing, you have to put your body in consideration most especially your joints, lower back, feet, ankles, knees, and hips. Make sure you save them for the real thing, straining them before the primary race can affect your success rate. Nevertheless, you have to prepare for the real thing properly, but it should be done professionally, carefully and gradually to avoid confirming the body to stress and injuries.

The treadmill is another speed workout you can rely on when preparing for a distance run. This kind of exercise gives you less strain compared to the road’s practice. Typically anglers on the treadmill are set at three percent higher, but if you want something more challenging, you can gradually increase the angle of inclination.

Nature also affects on training time. Hot summer days leave you dehydrated and take toll of your overall performance. You are training in the morning, before sunrise, and in the evening, after the sun sets. Therefore, you can adjust your training schedule to fit the weather. Training before dawn helps boost your energy’s level, and after sunset helps prevents your body from breaking down due to heat strokes, enables you to sleep well and also stabilizes your blood pressure.

Running in the evening can be risky sometimes before it is dark and cars might not notice you. Therefore, you are advised to wear a bright color and wear a headlamp if possible.

Other than the physical preparation, mental and emotional development is made in getting ready for distance running. Start at a training pace which suits the capacity your body can handle, to prevent muscle strain and joint pains, after which you can gradually employ changes as you go, based on the statistics you have accumulated, start with little steps before taking the giant leaps. Stretching before running is not necessary; you can do so after running to relax the muscles.

Distance Running and The Olympics

Distance Running and The Olympics

Running traced back to the old days, in fact as humans, we run in most of our everyday life whether for a long distance or a short one. However, in the world of sports, the long-distance race is part of the oldest track event Included in the Ancient Olympics. Any running game where the runner covers at least two kilometers is tagged as distance running. Endurance, stamina, and strength are of essential value in this competition. During the race, competitors must maintain their energies to run effortlessly towards the end of a long race.

Only males were allowed in the 19th century to compete in long-distance running in the Olympics game, until 1928 when a woman was allowed to compete in the Summer Olympics. However, women were only allowed to participate in the 800-meters distance race.

 1500, 3000, and 10000-meter event were instituted in 1972, 1984, and 1988 respectively, although, the 5000-meter race replaced the 3000-meter run in 1996.

All Olympic race rules and regulations (both it’s drafting and amendment) are made by The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). Such standards include

  • Olympic distance runners are to maintain their lane from start to finish.
  • In longer distance races (1500 meters and above), runners are divided into two batches.
  • The first batch stays across the inner half of the track and goes first, while the second batch remains on the outer track until the first batch finishes the first turn.

For a country to compete in Olympic distance running events, the runner can complete the race within the Olympic qualifying time. Only three representatives from a country may compete for every race. Olympic distance events have1 to 2 rounds of preliminary runs, in the finals, a total of 8 runners take part in the 800-meter run, 12 in 1500meter, 15 in the 5000meter, and the numbers of finalists for 10000 meters vary about the number of entrants. The race comes to an end when an athlete’s torso touches the finish line.

One of the persons who shook the Olympic marathon world and became the most popular in the marathon world is Deena Kastor, an American and a distance events champion. She holds both national and world records in numerous marathon (including the half-marathon events), and a bronze medal in the women’s division of distance running Olympics in 2004. In 2006, she went further to set a new American marathon record of 2:19:36, which has been the highest noted since the inclusion in the Olympic track, in 1984. Currently, she and Dathan Ritzenhe in (her fellow American) are among the 2008World’sTop Olympic Contenders.

Distance running requires the right combination of talent, track and field skills, ability, speed, strength, flexibility, and stamina. Countries that bring their best running athletes to participant tend to have a better shot not just at winning, but also at setting a record.

In Olympic, distance running tends to dominate the scene. Therefore, the Pressure on runners and marathoners is super intense.