Can I run 100mpw all on a 400m track?

Yes, the turns will injure your knees.

Think about it. Half the time, you will be making a left turn. I'm a masters track guy and I alternate running directions on the track, but even so, I get ankle and knee issues from time to time due to running three times a week on a track.

Run in parks, trails, anywhere there is enough grass/dirt. Running on uneven terrain has a host of other benefits, also.

I almost never run on the roads due to the impact. (I'm aware of studies indicating that when you run on a soft surface, you tend to land harder than when you're on a hard surface, thus potentially negating any benefits from running on softer ground. However, if you're mindful of doing soft landings, running on soft ground is preferable.)

I don't like tracks either, but they're better than roads and they may come in handy for speed work. Even so, I still do most of my speed work on grass -- heck, I've went to the track just to run on the football field.

That sounds incredibly boring first of all. Don't you have grass or crushed gravel trails? And yeah 100 MPW on a track would hurt your knees. Probably also ankles too. Unless you are on a track like all by yourself where you can alternate directions.

If you can run 100mpw without issue on the roads, you could run 100mpw on the track. Your body is likely strong enough that the easy turn on a track, at an easy pace, won't be a problem.

Personally, I prefer to run on the field/turf inside, than on the track itself, if I am doing a full run avoiding the roads. Moreover, you only spend a few strides to make the turn. Not an issue.

Sure. If you're worried about the turns, change directions. To wit, Lionel Ortega:

Ortega ran to multiple WAC conference championships running for the University of New Mexico in the 1970s and was a National Class marathoner - champion of the prestigious Nike OTC marathon in Eugene with a best time of 2:14:25 in 1978, the third best performance all time by a New Mexican. He was also one of the early champions of the Duke City marathon, running 2:27:42 for the win in 1974. A two-time Olympic Trials qualifier (1980 and 1984).

Rumor has it that Ortega ran most of his marathon training on the UNM track - 100+ miles a week. The University banned him from its use at one point, even though he was an alum. He'd sneak back in anyway and had the cops called on him for trespassing at least once. Terrific story.

Smicksmoll wrote:

Trying to get off the hard roads, will the turns injure my knees?

Yes probably

Just run baby

Smicksmoll wrote:

Trying to get off the hard roads, will the turns injure my knees?

1/10

strengthcoach wrote:

Run in parks, trails, anywhere there is enough grass/dirt. Running on uneven terrain has a host of other benefits, also.

I almost never run on the roads due to the impact. (I'm aware of studies indicating that when you run on a soft surface, you tend to land harder than when you're on a hard surface, thus potentially negating any benefits from running on softer ground. However, if you're mindful of doing soft landings, running on soft ground is preferable.)

I don't like tracks either, but they're better than roads and they may come in handy for speed work. Even so, I still do most of my speed work on grass -- heck, I've went to the track just to run on the football field.

I've went? Good grief.

Yes. I have done numerous 6-8hr training runs on the track in preparation for ultra track races. Like any changes in training, you will be at risk for injury if you do not do it gradually but your body will adapt to running the curves over time. Run on the outside lanes where the turns are more gradual and switch directions often, at least once per hour. There are actually a number of positives about running on the track including always having immediate access to food/water/bathroom and not having to worry about getting hit by a car.

Wow this sounds like hell.

Ultradude wrote:

Yes. I have done numerous 6-8hr training runs on the track in preparation for ultra track races. Like any changes in training, you will be at risk for injury if you do not do it gradually but your body will adapt to running the curves over time. Run on the outside lanes where the turns are more gradual and switch directions often, at least once per hour. There are actually a number of positives about running on the track including always having immediate access to food/water/bathroom and not having to worry about getting hit by a car.

In Tom Osler's "serious Runner's Handbook" he says that he frequently trained for ultras by doing long runs on the track for reasons like the ones you mention.

Maybe you're Tom.

I used to run 20 mile runs around a dirt track in Los Angeles on hot smoggy summer days at 9:30 pm when I got off of work. This was awesome. I would zone out and loved doing this, especially in the night. I kept the same pace all the way and checked my pace every mile. I also had a precisely measured one mile loop on the sidewalk, which I gradually switched to instead of running on the track.

Dirt tracks are very easy on the legs, especially the knees.

However, never do this on rubberized tracks, as they are very hard on the legs, especially the knees. If you do this on a rubberized track with rubberized shoes, you will seriously damage your knees.

Only if the curves are banked.

And you change directions.

And the track is made of asphalt.

Daniels gave examples in his book of a grad student who was not a competitive runner but ran 20 miles a day on a track, and another guy who ran quite a bit of mileage inside his house. You can do anything if you need to.

Smicksmoll wrote:

Trying to get off the hard roads, will the turns injure my knees?

A track is only marginally better than the road. Grass, dirt trails, mulch trails are all much better choices.

Don't forget that 4 laps won't equal a mile. You need 402.33 laps to get 100 miles.

English, please wrote:

strengthcoach wrote:

Run in parks, trails, anywhere there is enough grass/dirt. Running on uneven terrain has a host of other benefits, also.

I almost never run on the roads due to the impact. (I'm aware of studies indicating that when you run on a soft surface, you tend to land harder than when you're on a hard surface, thus potentially negating any benefits from running on softer ground. However, if you're mindful of doing soft landings, running on soft ground is preferable.)

I don't like tracks either, but they're better than roads and they may come in handy for speed work. Even so, I still do most of my speed work on grass -- heck, I've went to the track just to run on the football field.

I've went? Good grief.

Surely you've seen much worse and aren't that surprised.

Excellent preparation for a marathon on the track.