Ann Arbor's
BAD DECISIONS
TRACK CLUB
A Very Running Group
Common Questions
Q: Do I need track & field experience to join this club?
A: Not at all! However, some basic track etiquette is worth knowing.The big thing is this: Be aware of other people using the track, especially in lanes 1 & 2—aka the "Inside Lanes"—as these are generally reserved for running hard. Click here for a more thorough list of dos and don'ts... (mostly don'ts, lol)
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Q: Why run on a track?
A1: To quote this article from SportTracks, "It's a chance to concentrate on running form and pace without needing to slow down for traffic or tree roots on trails. Many tracks have special coatings that add spring to your step and lessen impact forces. It's always beneficial to mix up your workouts, so visiting the track a few times a month will only make you stronger..."
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A2: To quote fictional American sports icon Ricky Bobby, "I wanna go fast!"
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Q: What's an "interval" workout?
A: Interval training just means alternating between harder and easier intensities. So for a track workout, we'll run a relatively short distance at a fast speed, and then ‘recover’ for a similar amount of time by walking or jogging. Typically we'll repeat that process several times.
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Q: What do all the numbers mean in the workout?
A: Usually the numbers refer to the distance (in meters) of the interval or repeat we're running. A track is 400m around, which is basically a quarter mile.
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The most common distances we run are:
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200 = 1/2 lap = 1/8 mile
400 = 1 lap = 1/4 mile
800 = 2 laps = 1/2 mile
1000 (aka 1k) = 2.5 laps = 1 kilometer
1200 = 3 laps = 3/4 mile
1600 = 4 laps = 1 mile​
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​Visual representations below:​​
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Track Etiquette, continued...
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The standard direction of travel around the track is counter-clockwise.
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If you need to pass another runner, pass on the right / outside.
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Don't stand around on the track. The track is for bodies in motion, so if you need to stop to tie your shoe, have a chat, or anything else, move out of the way of where folks are running.
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Don't step out onto the track without looking. Just like a busy street, this is a recipe for ugly collisions.
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Don't walk in Lane 1 (Walking is fine! Just not on the inside lanes where folks will be running hard)
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Don't jog your rest / recovery interval on the inside lanes. Inside lanes are for pushing your pace.
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Don't just stop. When you finish a hard interval move immediately out of the way, as there's probably someone coming up behind you.
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If someone behind you yells "Track!" or "Lane 1!" they are asking you to move to an outside lane to let them pass. No one in our club will ever say this to you, but we may occasionally say it to members of the public or the youth club that sometimes runs at the same time. There is also sometimes an elite / professional club at the track, and they will definitely expect folks to move out of their way.
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It's best not to wear headphones while using the track.
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— More items to come!