The track is a beast for runners and non-runners alike. As most of you know, my husband hates to run and does it only because it burns a ton of calories, and is an excellent way to gage just how out of shape you are at any given time. Plus, we can bring the kids to the track and make it a family affair. With that in mind, I present to you two track workouts – one in runner’s lingo and the other in plain English.
First, for the non-runners. Don’t let the track intimidate you! Everyone, maybe especially runners, have a healthy fear of the track. It can be punishing but it also be very fun and rewarding.
Here’s a great workout you can do for a fitness boost, no running knowledge required! You can also work up to running and simply walk a lot of this workout:
Now for the runners! Yes, the track is hard and scary (don’t tell the non-runners that!) but you got this. I know that I have a healthy fear each time I step onto the oval but, I’m a stronger runner each time I step off of it. Here’s a track workout in a language you can understand. It’s for all runners and for any distance but *warning* it is a HARD effort and totals 9 miles. If you’re not quite up to the entire workout yet, break into manageable pieces and build toward doing the whole enchilada. Mmmmm food. Oh wait…track session first, then food:
Don’t forget to bring a lot of water, possibly a bag of ice and a sports drink for afterward that has sodium and electrolytes like Gatorade or Body Armor.
Happy Friday and happy running! Cheers!
[Tweet “Track workouts the whole family can do. Non-runners welcome! #ICanDoThat”]
Do you workout with your family?
How do you feel about the track?
Getting to the track is something I plan to do in the next few weeks. I want to begin building speed and obviously the track is the first step there! This was really helpful and thank you for sharing.
I always think it’s fun to get back to the track because that usually means it WARM! Good luck building (more) speed 🙂
This is awesome! Although I don’t think I could convince the hubs to run around a track. Oddly enough I’m missing the track even though it scares the pants off me every sone time I start a workout!
Maybe he can do a workout in the infield??
I’m sure you miss it…it’s quite the adrenaline rush!
The first one is for me and totally with your husband on this, but still love that you gave both options here today 😉
I have to have options for everyone, right? At least he will run around for a little while in between push-ups, etc.
You inspired me to hit the track tomorrow morning! You think I can do this one at this point in my training? I’m up to 15 miles for my long run
I’m SO glad! Give it a try. The worst that happens is you can’t finish it, but then you can build onto it next time. Let me know how it goes!
Awesome track workout! Thanks!
Love this! I’ve often wondered at what age I could take both girls to the track with me, but I didn’t consider making it a whole family affair. Such a great idea, especially as my husband is very much like yours- he’ll run a little but he’s not a “runner” and has no big goals, so he could get his workout in and also be helpful with the baby. 🙂
Exactly!! At this point we bring the boys bikes and it’s still kind of a pain to watch them BUT, it’s a lot better then not going! You can probably keep the baby contained to the stroller…or, if no one is there, you can take it on the track 🙂
Family “workouts” we do are going on hikes and family bike rides….but we don’t really consider that a workout as much as just spending time together…..
I hate the track…I think it brings back high school memories…but I know I need to add an occasional track workout into the mix….took a screen shot of your IG so I have it:)
That is awesome!!
We do some of that too but the boys don’t make it very far these days…soon enough though 🙂
Love it. Now I just need to find myself a track! Love that you broke it down into these two workouts.
I’m sure it’s hard in the city, and even if you find one, I’m betting it’s crowded. Good luck!!
These track workouts look awesome! I need to find a track nearby, actually there is a club that meets during the week that I should just join. I started training using the Galloway method yesterday and finally was able to enjoy 8 miles with joy! And my average pace was faster than normal so hello win win. Happy Friday!!!
That is great!!
I love going to the track in groups – that way everyone can run at their own pace and you’re all suffering together 🙂
Yes, when our kids were little, they rode their bikes while we ran. My youngest loves spin class, started when she was 7. she was too short to sit so she did the whole class in 2nd & 3rd position. she’s now 10 and LOVES to workout with mom. She labels various exercises on popsicle sticks, pulls them out of a jar randomly for a workout for us. Great idea for anyone bored of their routine. Have to share my fondest workout memory exercising with my kids….last summer, we had an unplanned summer at the beach stuffed in a tiny one bedroom cottage. It was pouring rain and windy. I was edgy and jumping out of my skin. My son and I laced up our sneakers while my two little ones laced up their roller blades. We ran/bladed along the ocean wall with waves occasionally hitting us. we were obviously soaked and jumped in every puddle we could find. It was a blast!!
My real reason for responding today-i’ll be away for the summer with no internet, OMG!!!! I never responded to your skin post. I wanted to tell you I never noticed your spots. I’ve always thought you were beautiful inside and out!!!! You know the surgeries I’ve been through…whenever I get down on myself I just remind myself it could be worse.
Have a great summer!!
Thank you Christine! I can’t wait for the boys to be old enough to do “real” workouts with me. Right now, they can’t reach the pedals on the spin bikes, but they try!!
Have a great summer and enjoy being unplugged 🙂
Our husbands are so similar, it’s scary. Great workouts, Allie and I love that you did one in layman’s terms for runners unused to the track! I will pin & tweet these suckers.
Thank you Carly!!!! Love all the support as always 🙂
Family workouts are the best! Now that my kids are a bit older, I find a few of them pushing me! And i love it. My summer is filled with soccer and many of our fields are surrounded by tracks – so this is a perfect workout to do when they are at soccer practice and I am waiting for them!
Thanks!
That is truly awesome! I’m sure, someday very soon, my boys will be much faster then me!!
These workouts look so fun and challenging! I still haven’t found a track open to the public since I moved, but since the intervals are 800 or further I could take this to the running trail or the treadmill. Ryan and I go to the gym together a few times of week, it keeps me accountable for strength training and then we can each do our own workouts.
You can absolutely do that! I love that you guys workout together…at least in the same room 🙂
Great idea Allie! I love the fact that you put a non-runner’s one in here because I so don’t know all the lingo! Pinning!
We do workout together sometimes which I love although my husband is not much of a runner. Hopefully the kids will start getting into it as they get older. I actually do not usually do track workouts but would if I had a group to run with. Great tips and workouts! Pinned!
Thanks!! And the track is perfect for group runs because everyone can still go at their own pace.
I’m looking forward to the day when my kids run more at the track. At this point, we bring their bikes so they don’t get too bored!
I’ve been working out with the boys while on vacation!! I LOVE the track. Speed work is one of my favorite workouts!
That.is.awesome!!
I work out with my kids often. My son is 11 and he can run with me. He doesn’t always choose to, but he can. My daughter is 5 and she rides her bike alongside while I run. She is only good for 3-4 miles and even those are hit and miss, but it’s fun. My husband is a runner too but he’s WAY too fast for me. He looks like a wounded giraffe when he tries to run at my pace. LOL!
These track workouts are great. I am not a huge fan of the track unless I have lots of friends to keep me company!
The track sounds perfect for your family! You can run with your son, your husband can run at cheetah speed and your daughter can ride her bike however long/far she wants to! We always bring the boy’s bikes at this point because they are bored after 10 minutes 🙂
I’ll have to try this workout on the track – there is one a couple blocks from my house but I haven’t run on it yet because I usually run either on a treadmill or on road. Although I have run for most of my life, I didn’t grow up doing workouts on a track, so it’s always a little intimidating to try and decipher what people mean when they talk about their track workouts. This is a great post and helps us non-trackies figure out how to get the most out of the track.
Exactly!! The track can be intimidating but once you figure out it can actually be FUN, the possibilities for workouts are endless. I would also kill to have a track close enough to run to instead of having to drive 10 minutes!
Good luck and have fun 🙂
This is great! As you know I will be spending a LOT of time at the track this summer so this perfect! Still tryna figure out how to get the ice there!
LOL!!! I’m sure you will figure out how to get it delivered to you 🙂
WOMAN YOU KNOW I LOVE THIS.
I love you think of us NO RUNNERS TOO.
Of course!! I live with one 🙂