SHIZUKA TRACK PRIMER The girls team holds all cups: short distance, long distance and field championship trophies, also the team plate and championship banner. The boys team holds the total team banner for boys and girls. It's generally said that muscle bulk is of benefit to a short distance runner, and a slim build is characteristic of a long distance runner. Of course there are always exceptions to the rules. This isn't the bible, but my opinion only. Those who read this should feel free to agree or disagree with what I have written. DISTANCES 60m: You will need athletic ability and pure speed (because this distance is run indoors with without the aid the wind). 100m: You will have to learn to explode out of your starting blocks and still have a short burst of speed at the end. 200m: Your start doesn't need to be as good as the 100m runner, but you will have to be able to maintain your speed, and learn to run the curve. 400m: You will need speed and endurance. and will need to master the curve, because there are two curves. 4x100m Relay: Simply put the baton passing is the most important thing. You will also need to know where you are in the baton zone. 4x400m Relay: The baton zone and pass isn't as important, because you don't use a running start like in 100m Relay, but your anchor must have full confidence in him or herself, because unlike the 100m Relay no lead is safe. 100m Hurdles: You need to have a very good start out of your blocks like 100m and very good agility as well. Keep in mind when choosing the hurdles elementary, high school, and college hurdles are a different height. Height and weight affect your speed. A short person may have problems later with the height of the hurdles. 400m Hurdles: Your hurdle skills don't need to be as good as the 100m Hurdles because of the spacing. But remember this is the most demanding event in short distance, so you will need a greater deal of speed and endurance. Long Jump: You will need some speed and a good sense of timing because of the foul line and some self control to train yourself. Always put your hands in front of you when landing. 800m: You will need good endurance and some speed along with the ability to maintain a pace when running. That's why many coaches recommend that you run the 400m to work on your speed. 1500m: You will have to master running at a set pace, along with conditioning and endurance. 3000m: You will have to be able to maintain your pace for a longer time of duration. Conditioning is critical to your success. 5000m: You will need to have superior endurance and very good conditioning, along with the ability to speed up your pace and maintain it, then to slow down over and over again. 10,000m: You will need to be in top condition and very good endurance, master your pace setting, and be able to run with a discomfort at times. You'll need good control of your breathing. 10,000m is as far as I have every run. Someday I would like too try a half-marathorn. I am a sprinter by choice but when I was in junior high school, I ran all distances. My school motto was: We have two types of runners long distance and longer distance. -A famous long distance school. Shot Put: You will need size and power. The reason I say this is the older you become the heavier the ball is. Size might not be important but power surely is. Shizuka (far right) and team goodrow@infionline.net Privacy Policy of Kids Running