Running on a track is so hard!

blt0087

I don't get it..
Last night I went out to the track and could barely run a half mile before I had to stop and walk, I was really struggling. Then another lady showed up and I decided to run around the school instead (im still new to running so I'm self conscious about it, even though I probably shouldn't be), anyways I ended up running two miles, only stopping once for a quick water break.

Does anyone else have trouble running on the track?

law1558

I find that running is sooooo mental! I can psych myself out of a good run with little to no effort!

There are some great aps that will track your distance run, based on GPS, if you carry your phone with you - I like SportsTracker and MapMyFitness.

One great thing about running on a track, though, is that they are usually made from materials that are easier on your joints than running on the sidewalk or street. Maybe keep a track-run to once every couple weeks, if you find they mess with your mind!

donrdon

I find running in circles (track) doesn't keep me interested any more than the treadmill does. A run through town or out in the country tends to keep my mind active and into the run. I will use the track the odd time to run intervals but usually set up my Garmin for that so I can avoid the track altogether.

MB_Positif

Try the road or some trails. If you got through two miles you can get out on the road just fine!

DavPul

what other surfaces are we comparing it to?

MB_Positif

what other surfaces are we comparing it to?

Clouds and/or peanut butter would be my two best guesses.

MoreBean13

I hate running on tracks. It's like the boredom of a treadmill without the luxury of a TV to watch. I will only do it for sprints.

(Well, I also did it for a while when I was rehabbing an ankle injury because it's a soft, stable surface.)

Ditch the track. See the world!

Panda_Rolls

Music makes a HUGE difference for me. If I don't have my headphones I'm totally worthless.

PhoenixStrikes

I found running outside a lot harder than he treadmill but a lot more interesting. I wonder if the monotony of a track is boring you?

eAddict

It is the only place I can run. I like the cushion of the track as well as the built in counting ;-) I move over a lane each lap. I end up anywhere from 3-4 miles. I use head phones so boring scenery isn't the issue. It has proven a blessing to my old knees vs sidewalk or road.

jess1992uga

I ran cross country and time trials on track I was always worse than out in nature. It's something about being able to be distracted and feel like I am getting somewhere. I can just get out of my mind....and the running becomes peaceful. When I am on track I think I just get so caught up in the number of laps and it gets so repetitive. I think it's definitely mental..

DavPul

I hate running on tracks. It's like the boredom of a treadmill without the luxury of a TV to watch. I will only do it for sprints.

(Well, I also did it for a while when I was rehabbing an ankle injury because it's a soft, stable surface.)

Ditch the track. See the world!

STAHP THE TRACK SHAMING

Lleldiranne

You know how, when you get to the end of your run, you see your goal and kind of run a bit faster to get there? (at least, that's what I do). Maybe running on a track makes you think you're close to your end when you aren't and so you're putting more effort into it and tiring faster. Just a weird idea.

I prefer to run on a running trail or in my neighborhood. If I must run indoors, a track is better than a treadmill (yes, I've had access to an indoor track. 7.5 laps per mile, it got really tedious really fast, but still…) It feels like running on a track is closer than treadmill to the kind of running I'll be doing when I finally get back into 5k and 10k and work up to larger races, but maybe I'm just fooling myself :laugh:

ayalowich

The track is not for running a typical workout. You use it for intervals with the intention of getting faster. If you show up just to run your normal pace, then I can see why it might be boring but that is not its primary purpose.

MoreBean13

I hate running on tracks. It's like the boredom of a treadmill without the luxury of a TV to watch. I will only do it for sprints.

(Well, I also did it for a while when I was rehabbing an ankle injury because it's a soft, stable surface.)

Ditch the track. See the world!

STAHP THE TRACK SHAMING

I feel victimized and bullied by this post.

blt0087

You know how, when you get to the end of your run, you see your goal and kind of run a bit faster to get there? (at least, that's what I do). Maybe running on a track makes you think you're close to your end when you aren't and so you're putting more effort into it and tiring faster. Just a weird idea.

I prefer to run on a running trail or in my neighborhood. If I must run indoors, a track is better than a treadmill (yes, I've had access to an indoor track. 7.5 laps per mile, it got really tedious really fast, but still…) It feels like running on a track is closer than treadmill to the kind of running I'll be doing when I finally get back into 5k and 10k and work up to larger races, but maybe I'm just fooling myself :laugh:

I think you're right about running faster. I went out for a night run, did one mile around the school..no problem. Got onto the track thinking "ok, its just a mind game..I got this" I found myself trying to run faster than I usually do. So I think you're onto something there. Also I use the track at the local middle school, so its not a nice paved one..its like weird gravel/dirt. As soon as I stepped foot onto it, it felt like I was running through mud..or peanut butter as one poster said
I usually run on the sidewalk and road that goes around the school.

fitnessfromfreedom

Wow, I'm going to be honest that I LOVE the track. I never had one until I got to high school running Cross Country trials and it was so nice to have so I could gaugue progress better. I loved that about it and that I could plug in the music (can't run without music personally) and just zone out into lala land and enjoy the pavement and actually focus for once.

I just love the track because it's LESS distraction, which is honestly why I run, to feel focused on something for once because I'm so scattered. It provides a world with less distractions/stresses/demands/etc. It's more difficult I agree, mentally, but it's a challenge that you can overcome and strengthen your focus from - definitely worth it.

MercenaryNoetic26

Tracks are fun! Good people watching on those as you zoom past or get passed.

wolfchild59

I get beyond bored running on a track and it makes it way harder for me. The longest I've ever been able to go on a track (when not doing C25K coaching for people) was two miles. And it was REALLY hard to get through those two miles. Not that I can't do that distance, it was actually my last casual run before a half marathon. But the power was out in the fitness center in my apartment building, the gym I tried to go to was maxed out on people on treadmills and the trail was closed due to it being dark. So I went to the track.

It was just so monotonous that it made it feel like I was running miles and miles and that it was taking forever. I got to the end of that eighth lap and was so anxious to get away from there that I didn't even do a lap or two to cool down, I ran straight off the track, got to my car, and got home.

I'd say to try finding a local trail or someplace that you could run without the forced stops of street corners, and give running a try there. I find that the more engaged I am in things that aren't my actual running, the easier the running is. It's why I stream movies and TV shows when I'm on a treadmill, it makes the time fly by.

jennifer_417

I actually liked running on a track better than the road, but everybody is different.