If you’re going to run 800s on a track in a lane other than 1 and stay in that lane the entire time (except for dodging the little old women walking in that lane) what marks do you use to start?
Maybe I need to goto the track at a time other than 5:45 AM and hope for some clarity post caffeine, but every week we discuss it, try to remember where we started the previous week and then pick a new place to start.
There are no marks for such a thing, as there are no circumstances in which anyone runs an 800 in a meet in a single lane. The closest you might get would be to use the 400 marks (usually the line in front of the big lane numbers on the first turn beyond the start/finish line) and start in the next lane to the outside of one of those marks. Not sure off the top of my head if that works for all the lanes.
this might be everything you ever wanted to know about it:
-mike
.
Most tracks will be labelled…
But this will help.
http://www.trackinfo.org/csunmarks.html
The tough call on the 800 is that it’s lanes for the first 400 and then a shitshow for the inside lane at halfway…so, there’s no marking that puts you in a specific lane but the inside for the whole way…you will have to guestimate…
All tracks are not the same size. Even the markings can vary. Recently I measured a track that I had been running for years using a wheel. The first lane measured 404.92 meters, NOT 400 meters. If you really want to know, you will need to measure with a wheel.
A lot of tracks were built on a 440 yard standard. That is about 2meters plus a little difference on a 400 meter track. Then some of the 440 yard tracks were corrected to meters. The actual measurement is on the very inside of the first lane. So sometimes tracks will be off a meter or two. The 400/440 is the longest event to be marked on the track with staggers. The rest hold their lane for one lap then move to the first lane.
Because everyone wants to run in lane one or two a lot of tracks for public use block those two lanes so the track holds up better.
Since the marks are for 400s, you’ll have to visually double that distance for the 800. Mark it with a piece of tape so that you are consistent during the set (a discreet paint marker if you can get away with it). As mentioned, many tracks are not exact; but that doesn’t matter as long as you use the same lane/track you can see relative improvement (and they are going to be off by 1-2% at most, which is less than your speed difference due to weather conditions, different track surfaces, or flats vs. spikes).
You could also use your bike cyclometer if you don’t have a measuring wheel.
So arbitrarily choosing the white line like we did today might not have cut it? Maybe we should just hurdle the sawhorses on lap 2 next week? Great helpful responses, thanks all…
If you’re staying in the same lane, use the staggered start/block marks to start. Run around twice, ending at the finish line (assuming it’s a standard, certified 400 m. track).
Disclaimer: This is very general information and every track is different. But it is correct for most tracks, and close enough for a work out on nearly all others:
Most 400 meter tracks have a standard 400 meter stagger mark. That mark is the 2nd white line after the “standard start” line that is placed at the entrance to turn 1. It is also called the “2 turn stagger” line and is marked with those words on some tracks. (the first white line is the 1 turn stagger line, also the 800 meter start for lanes)
To do what you are asking has 2 simple answers.
You can start at the 2 turn stagger mark in lane 3 but run in lane 2. That would be a 4 turn stagger in lane 2 and add up to 800 meters for 2 laps
or
You can run from the start line in lane 2 and run 2 laps and call it 1/2 mile. If you trig out the distance it is very close on most standard tracks.
By standard I mean…
I did measure on the inside of the lane. If it is long, that can add up on long repeats such as 2K. It’s relative if you field test on the 1st lane.
If we’re talking a high school track, there actually will be start/stagger marks for the 4x200 relay in most states since that’s a commonly held relay at the high school level, and it’s run entirely in lanes in most circumstances. So there’s your 800M done with 4 turns in lanes.
find the finish line
If there is a 4x200 start stagger but it’s not marked as such, it’s the set of start diamonds/lines that you find furthest from the finish line. The outside lane (6/8/9 depending on track size) will seem so far from the finish line that you’re essentially through turn 1.
When I used to start hs track meets, we’d have to have the starter and assistant starter stand back to back midway on the turn so we could actually see a whole 8 team field get set before one of us fired the gun for the 4x200. It really is an impressive amount of stagger for that race configuration
Thanks, that’s what I thought. I think this is where we started this AM. We were in lanes 4-5-6 and yeah, the outside person was nearly around the turn.
And there’s definitely something funny about the length of that track, not to mention one side is higher than the other. Someday I might borrow a measuring wheel to see how long it is, just so I can feel better about my times (I hope)
All tracks are not the same size. Even the markings can vary. Recently I measured a track that I had been running for years using a wheel. The first lane measured 404.92 meters, NOT 400 meters. If you really want to know, you will need to measure with a wheel.
What track & where is this?
That would have worked just fine… group workout? You may have to run lane 2 or 3 at times to pass folks, so you run a little more? -no biggie.
Start & stop at the same place, that’s the key. Fwiw, the community track near downtown Portland has decent lighting right in the middle so folks start there (in winter when it is dark) using a cone & take 220y splits on the other side using another cone in where it’s also well lit near the middle.
Running wide impacts lap times far less, IMO then say, wind or rain or cooler temps.
Memorial High School track in Houston, Texas. A very nice track. Turns are wide which make it great for training. I was truly surprised when I measured it. It is used for competition all the time.
There are no marks for such a thing, as there are no circumstances in which anyone runs an 800 in a meet in a single lane.
Ever heard of the 800 relay (4x200)? That is in a single lane.
Start lines for 4x200 will probably be labeled, and they are the last start lines marked on my local track. You will know you are on the right ones if lane 6 is 2/3 or so around the 1st turn.
I don’t think it is a college or pro event, but they run in a lot of high schools, so probably marked on their tracks.
this might be everything you ever wanted to know about it:
http://www.iaaf.org/...ing_Outdoor_7462.pdf
-mike
That’s awesome. Thank you for posting this. I’ve often wondered about different distances, but always forget to ask someone. This is really helpful!