Well, I guess we are not done with winter after all…
As the snowiness that we all love to hate returns, my runs have moved back inside. I have already talked about training on a treadmill, but I have not yet talked about the other indoor option. Time for the thrilling tales of the magical indoor track. The place where time seems to slow and that wondrous sense of déjà vu abounds!
The Characters
The variety of people that can be seen circling the track on a Saturday morning is pretty amazing. Young and old, fast and slow, athletes and chit chatters. Having been to the rec centre a couple of times, I have found that I fit in nicely with the mix of people.
Although there were plenty of people just there for a nice morning walk this weekend, there were others with more purposeful intentions. These people had some of the classic long distance running gear and were there for the majority of my two hours and forty minutes. Heck, I even saw a group of people sharing a lunch box that was full to the brim with all sorts of running food and drink.
It was great to be surrounded by so many people just doing their best to stay active.
Focus on the Finer Details
An indoor track is not the best way to train for a trail run. I mean, could it be more flat? (points if you read that in the style of Chandler Bing) But nevertheless it is a good option for building endurance when the conditions outside are sketchy.
One of the benefits is a totally controlled environment to practice running form. Outside it can be a bit tough to focus on the finer details, but there are no distractions on the track, just running the same 420 meter stretch about 50 times.
Located at a rec centre, this particular track weaves its way through the second-floor fitness area with the occasional window peering down at the swimming pool or skating rink. I noticed around lap 10 that I could use the reflection of these windows or the gym mirrors to check my form. Glancing over from time to time really kept me on my toes and stopped me from crumpling over… until the last few laps anyway.
Interesting(?) Thoughts
A few random thoughts from the crazed mind of a person running in endless circles…
- For long distances I run ten minutes then walk one minute. My inner dialogue: So, if I run one lap in 2.5 minutes, I only need to run four laps before I finish my ten minutes of running. If there is about 420 meters in a lap then every four laps is about 1.5 kilometers. So, if it takes 10 minutes to run 1.5 kilometers and I need to run 20.9 kilometers then I need to run uhh… *head explodes*
- It seems that people sort of forget the whole “look both ways” concept as soon as they are indoors. The number of people that I nearly mowed down is astounding.
- Running past one of those windows that looked down onto the pool, I saw a person swimming laps who appeared to be… naked. I couldn’t stop or I’d become of one those human hazards I just described. By the time I made it around again, about two and a half minutes later (math
), my imagination had put together a dramatic situation where the pool was cleared out and the lifeguards were attempting to corral the naked person. Turns out it was just a nude color bathing suit. But that lap sure went by fast!
Circling the track is undoubtedly a repetitive experience. But, with my Malcom X autobiography playing, some excellent people watching and terrible mental math skills, it ended up going by pretty quickly. Still can’t wait until this snow melts and I can get back outside!
