Last night at the track:
"Oh Jeez.Last night was a fine example.Some fat bint dressed in black walked AGAINST the flow.There were no lights and she was Indian.Nearly bumped into her twice.I'd have disappeared into the folds of her boosom if I'd gone head first.............hey sounds like fun :-)"
I Agree. The following week I did just that. Also I tried to set an example by makeing sure I went right to the outside when I did my recovery. Also there were other runners doing there own thing who quickly got out of my way.
Like I said going around someone in lane one is no big deal,
but haveing to go out to lane three is. On hine sight I should not have run into the guy when he took his blocking stance but I only had a few seconds to decide and if I let him win they all win.
Edison Runner wrote:... the bottom line was they didn't want anyone to use the inside lane since it was getting worn down.Are you joking?
Pete wrote:
Edison Runner wrote:... the bottom line was they didn't want anyone to use the inside lane since it was getting worn down.Are you joking?
That's pretty standard. Lots of tracks put up barriers in lanes 1 and 2 when they're not being used for competition. Makes sense for most people's purposes, but it displays a complete lack of understanding about the need for distance runners to run intervals longer than 400m.
The track I use is at a private school with gates at the front, so usually it is dead during non-school days/hours. One day, however, it was super-annoying when there was (1) a guy with his kids riding BIKES on the track AND (2) another guy with his son flying a remote control model airplane, both at the same time!!! I agree with the previous poster that the reason why people will walk on a track or on a treadmill is b/c they feel that they are being athletic if they are at an atheletic facility or gym. How boring, though.
Walking actually wears a track much more than running (more footstrikes of longer duration, and with a "slide" rather than a "bounce.")
As for why people walk (or jog) on a track rather than much nicer trails, I believe it's b/c they want to know EXACTLY how far they've gone. Assuming this, the way to get them out of lanes 1 & 2 is to tell them politely "Did you know that 4 laps in lane 1 isn't a mile? For that you need to walk in lane 3." That might get them out of the inside lane.
In fact, at the local track we use the sign on the gate notes that fact (even though it's actually the outside of lane 2 that would give you 4 laps/mile)
Space Lord wrote:
I agree with the previous poster that the reason why people will walk on a track or on a treadmill is b/c they feel that they are being athletic if they are at an atheletic facility or gym. How boring, though.[/quote]
I have no problem with non runners enjoying the track. We should all learn to SHARE the facilities. However there has to be some protacall for safty and enjoyment.
I would not picnic in the middle of a soccer field and tell the players to get lost since I was here first.
I have made mistakes. My high school dean once called me in cause I was running on the greens of the golf course he was playing at.
Also my high school coach was pissed at me for pucking in lane one. How bad is that.
Another reason why walkers do their thing around a track is for safety! It's out in the open usually with other people.
hold the phone wrote:That's pretty standard. Lots of tracks put up barriers in lanes 1 and 2 when they're not being used for competition. Makes sense for most people's purposes, but it displays a complete lack of understanding about the need for distance runners to run intervals longer than 400m.I guess that makes sense, but I've never seen that. Mind you, the track I used to train on was a cinder track that had weeds poking up through lane 1, and the one I train on now is an old rubberized track that hasn't been patched in many years, and has a buncha bare spots on the curves in lane 1. I suppose I'm not helping it get any better, but then again, neither are the folks who own and (don't) maintain it.
Just had a funny thought. There could be a sight called, "Lets Walk" with walkers complaining about rude runners hogging up the track.
One solution would be to do your intervals in lane 3. For a mile interval you could start at the 800 stagger of lane 5. Then:
400 split = 800 stagger of lane 4 (or 400 stagger of lane 7).
800 split = 800 stagger of lane 3 (or 400 stagger of lane 5).
1200 split = 800 stagger of lane 2 (or 400 stagger of lane 3).
1600 split = finish line.
Keep in mind you are running the whole time in lane 3 even though you are using the stagger marks of other lanes. An easy way to avoid confrontation with your walkers. A little easier on your legs too.
Where do I pick up my Nobel Peace Prize?
Nice try. And I did think about that. Problem is how do I deal with everybody else in lane 5 walkers, joggers, bystanders cyclist and others. Only Jokeing your point is well taken. Thanks.
On all the tracks I have trained on in Britain, this sort of behavious just isn't allowed. When people get in the way we shout TRACK, and they are obliged to move aside. Slower runners usually move out to let faster runners pass.
In the club I run with we do yell out track, but it is only understood by the runners. As a club we extent the courtesy to the slower runners and run around them as long as they are into their hard effort. Useally there is no problem with walkers when there is a group running together.