Track

Essay by PaperNerd ContributorCollege, Undergraduate September 2001

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For some people, the sport of track may seem like a dull and pointless sport. I think the reality of it is, track takes a lot of work and discipline. Also from building speed, endurance, and agility in track, all that can help you in other sports that you may have. The most important thing about track is winning in your races and field events. There are many things you can do to "prepare to win"� in track and I'll tell you about them.

Winning your race doesn't just start on the track, it starts the night before. During the night before, there are several things you may do to prepare yourself for the next day. Things you may do are simple and easy like having a healthy dinner. One thing I recommend is pasta or noodles, that way by eating foods like this, it will stay in you longer and it gives more carbohydrates and energy which make you go stronger for your race. Drink lots of fluids; preferably water to keep yourself hydrated. You want to drink these mostly the night before, not before your race. This will decrease the cause of stomach cramps and aches.

Another simple idea you may use is, stretching before you go to bed. By this, it helps you stay loose at all times. It's a good idea to do this when you wake up in the morning also. One of the most important things the night before your meet is getting enough sleep, you want to get as much as possible. You want to try getting at least seven to eight so you wont be tired or dragging the next day. Getting enough sleep will help you keep focus for your races.

When you wake up in the morning, it's a smart thing to begin stretching your muscles out again. You wake up tense at times, so it's good to keep yourself loose. The most important thing you can do in the morning is eat a well-balanced breakfast. People say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Well there true, it is the most important meal of the day. By eating breakfast it can help you not only out on the track but studies have shown it helps you out in the classroom too.

If you eat lunch or eat in-between breakfast and your meet your going to want to stay away from foods that are high in fat, sugar, and sodium. These types of nutrients will slow you down. When you arrive at your meet, your going to want to start out by running to get your muscles warmed up. This way you can get them good and ready to stretch. Then it's helpful to get a good stretch for your muscles. A good-quality stretch consists of a twelve to fifteen second count. You don't want to pull your muscles, or stretch them out to hard. You want to stop when you feel a good and nice tension. By getting a thrall stretch, it can prevent you from pulling a muscle and serious injury.

Keep walking or keep up a slight jog so your muscles don't tighten up. Before your race or field event stretch once more to keep your muscles nice and free. Then theirs one more thing to keep in mind. On your marks, get set, go! This is what I try to do to "prepare to win."� Doing what you do to prepare for your race can mean the different between winning and losing. If you care about winning as much as I do, then here are some useful and effective tips you may use when you have a track meet or if you just like to run.