Is there any kind of public track to do speedwork on after college? Do they even exist? I know public pools exist but I have never heard of a public track. I would like to use one. Are there any near Memphis?
Is there any kind of public track to do speedwork on after college? Do they even exist? I know public pools exist but I have never heard of a public track. I would like to use one. Are there any near Memphis?
I sneak onto the local high school track after work. Nobody's ever using it after 6 anyway, but they clearly don't want people on it.
Most high schools have tracks. If you're a taxpayer, you have the right to use it.
Sweet, I'll stop by the university to see if it is public. If not I may try and use a high school one after hours or something.
All of our public schools have tracks, that the tax payers payed for with a bond issue. However if the public wants to use the track they have to pay a facility usage fee. So if you want to use it legally a official form the school district has to come out with you and unlock the 8 foot high fences that surround ALL of the tracks.
I jump the fence and so does everyone else. In fact the area where everyone jumps the fence is falling over.
Kiryea wrote:
Most high schools have tracks. If you're a taxpayer, you have the right to use it.
Reality check223 wrote:
don't think it works that way
It does. None of the local tracks are locked up and many even have instructions for use by the general public (walkers use outer lanes, etc). Some even have timed lights for use by runners and walkers.
Reality check223 wrote:
Kiryea wrote:Most high schools have tracks. If you're a taxpayer, you have the right to use it.
don't think it works that way
It does if you threaten them with a lawsuit.
I often do speed work at local parks or on the road, where I have quarters marked out. It works fine for anything over about 200 meters (I could mark out 200s, but I don't feel right not doing them on a track). It especially works if you're mostly racing on the roads.
Towards track season though I try to hit one of the local public schools in the late evening or on a weekend.
Reality check is right about this, Kiryea. It may be the case that none of YOUR local public HS tracks are locked up, but that is not the case where I live. There are three big high schools in my town, two of which have very good track programs; all of the tracks have locked gates, and only one of those is jump-able (you'd have to climb for the other two, and that is a little more that I'm willing to go through at this point). Note that public HS buildings and sports equipment are generally not available for non-student use.
The nearest public HS track to my in-laws house in Arizona (a nice public school with good sports program) has a non-climbable fence. You'd have to go Mission-Impossible on that track if you wanted weekend access without getting a key from the relevant coach or AD.
Now, I do think that publicly funded HS tracks SHOULD be available for public use, but that's a different story all together.
rounder wrote:
Reality check is right about this, Kiryea. It may be the case that none of YOUR local public HS tracks are locked up, but that is not the case where I live. There are three big high schools in my town, two of which have very good track programs; all of the tracks have locked gates, and only one of those is jump-able (you'd have to climb for the other two, and that is a little more that I'm willing to go through at this point). Note that public HS buildings and sports equipment are generally not available for non-student use.
The nearest public HS track to my in-laws house in Arizona (a nice public school with good sports program) has a non-climbable fence. You'd have to go Mission-Impossible on that track if you wanted weekend access without getting a key from the relevant coach or AD.
Now, I do think that publicly funded HS tracks SHOULD be available for public use, but that's a different story all together.
Wow, that is the polar opposite to what I am used to. Even the school buildings are available for non-student use around here (with permit). Schools here are always designed with community use in mind.
Its way simpler than jumping fences. First find the closest track and just call them and ask. Most high schools and colleges will let you on theirs as long as you don't interfere with practice. At high schools you won't be allowed while class is going. Next option is if you can find a local running club they have scheduled track workouts and although I don't run theirs I just use it while they are on it.
I should also be able to use the school's greenhouse, weight room and copy machines whenever I want since I am a tax payer and ultimately I paid for those too.
Short sprints, 15x50.
Squats, weights. Bulkin' up, getting big, thick, and firm.
If it's locked, you might want to ask. If it isn't locked, just use it. Where I live, even some of the private school tracks have signs saying that the public are welcome.
Another option is to find a nice grass loop. For example, where I live there is a sports complex where I can run a 1.5 mile loop around the outside of the soccer fields. Get creative.
White Pony wrote:
I should also be able to use the school's greenhouse, weight room and copy machines whenever I want since I am a tax payer and ultimately I paid for those too.
Why stop there? We pay for all military facilities as well, right? I should be able to use the Marines' training facilities whenever I want. If they tell me I can't drive around in a tank, I'll just say "hey, I'm a taxpayer and I paid for this tank. I'll sue your ass if you try to stop me!"
You're not alone:
Here in SoCal, most high school tracks are open when school is not in session and most college tracks are open when not being used for team use, which is maybe one reason why so many of the medal winners are training around here. But, while YOU can train at UCLA or USC after hours (have to pay for parking) John Smith and HSI was kicked off the UCLA track a few years ago because he (unlike Bob Kersee) is not longer affiliated with the track program. Same thing happened to Trevor Graham, Justin Gatlin and Sprint Capital at NC State.
Don't be afraid to ask the AD for policies if you find the track locked after hours. A number of JCs around here have mondo tracks which are locked most of the time. BUT if you go to the athletics department, you can get a permit IF you have an insurance policy that covers your (their) liability.
The answer is not always a flat out "no."
where i live huntington beach, ca the high school tracks have been free for over 30 years probably since the tracks were made, last year they changed the dirt tracks at edison, fountain valley etc. to all weather tracks, they also put up high fences and are locked with a huge sign closed to the public.
Litigator wrote:
Reality check223 wrote:don't think it works that way
It does if you threaten them with a lawsuit.
Holy crap this is a good idea. I jumped the fence to a high school track last week. Some doucebag man came up to me and stopped me in the middle of my 400m sprint. He told me to leave the track. I got pissed and flipped him off and finished my 400. I took a quick 60 sec break and ran another one. When I was about to pass him HE JUMPED IN FRONT OF ME. What a retard. I ran him over and then when I was done I walked over to him. He told me to get off of the school track. I punched him in the face and ran off. He somehow found me and is now trying to sue me. I will just sue back. Hopefully it goes well!
Go to Orange Coast College--open any time the track/xc teams aren't training there.
UCI is open when there is not a track practice or soccer game.
Corona Del Mar HS, where Bill Sumner is the coach--not a great track, but almost always open.
You might have already noticed...we have it "easy" around here, compared to what many runners have to put up with.
HS are generally open to the public in my home state, Ohio.
I have found that in many states, there is at least one track in a given area that is open to the public, even if it's a private school. UCLA's track, last time I was in town, was open to the public. Busy place on a summer night!