track and field (my best, times r they good)?

Question

i am a freshmen and joined track this semester "about 2 months ago" i had no idea i wanted to join. i wasnt even a good runner before high school. when i started high school about 8 months ago my best mile time was 8:00 after trying hard in P.E. at the end of the semester my best time was 7:15 in the two months i have been in track my best mile time now (two months after 7:15) is 6:00 is that a good time for someone in track? when i compete i come in like place 11 out of 15 and thats REALLY BAD! but is my time bad? i am really slow my best quarter mile time is 80 seconds, lol. I just have lots of stamina or whatever as told so by my freinds. sice i am good for running long distances before getting tired all i need is speed so 1. are my times good and do you think ill improve more and 2. do u have any tips on how i can get faster other than just keep practicing "herd it too many times..." thnx

Answer 1

Don't get discouraged because you're coming in 11th out of 15th. In track it's all about PR's, personal records, and not necessarily about coming in first.

As a freshman who just started doing track about 2 months ago I would be thrilled with my progress. You've dropped 2 minutes off of your time! So pat yourself on the back. Your time will have you finishing at the head of the pack in the PE mile.

As far as on the track team is concerned first go look at the school record for the mile. It's probably around 4 minutes maybe in the 3:50 range. That tells you the fastest anyone at your school has ran during their 4 years on the track team.

As you can see though with your progress the more you run and train the better and faster you will get. In the beginning you'll make large gains, as you have, the faster your time gets the harder it is to get a PR.

As a distance runner it's important to have a consistent base in mileage. When I was in high school as a 1500 and 3000 runner I averaged anywhere from 30-40 miles per week. Keep that in mind. You need to be shooting for at least 30 miles per week. To keep from getting injured you only want to add on 10% from your weekly total for the next week ie(30 miles one week, the next week you'd run 33 miles for the week.)

With your base in tact you then have to start incorporating track workouts, speed training, to help you improve your time once again. A workout I still do to this day: 4x 400m/jog 200m to rest, jog 1 mile to rest, 4x 400m/jog 200m to rest, jog 1 mile to rest. Your total mileage is 5 miles for the run, yet you've incorporate in a faster sprints into the equation.

Another thing you can work do is plyometrics. It will help you with your speed and quickness.

Lastly Pushups, Situps, and an overall core workout. I'm sure if you ask your coach they can give you a "core workout" this will help improve your stability as a runner and make your form and stride more efficient.

Good luck and seriously don't get down on yourself about being 11th out of 15th. I was in your shoes and by my Senior Year I was going to my Varsity Districts.

Answer 2

"Good" is a relative term. The biggest part of it depends on the State you live in. Guys who won State Championships in my state (West Virginia) would have been lucky to place in more competitive states like New York.

As a freshman, I would say yes you have plenty of time to improve your mile time and likely will. I did not run faster than 5:45 my freshman year and in my junior year of track clocked a 5:15 best (in the first mile of a 2-mile race, no less) and regularly could clock in the 5:20-5:30 range. You will improve, keep working.

Also, don't get discouraged if your times don't go down immediately. It is normal to see your time improve by leaps and bounds at first and then have a period of time (months even) when you can't seem to get more than a few seconds faster. We hit plateaus that take time to work through.

A six-minute mile won't win you any championships, but you're doing just fine. It sounds ridiculous to hear "just keep practicing" but that's honestly what it takes. If you're not doing speedwork you can throw some of that in, but do NOT overdue it. You'll only frustrate yourself when you get sore or injured. In my experience, doing half-mile (800 meter) repeats are a good way to get used to going faster. Start with maybe 4-5 with your goal pace being 3 minutes. As you get used to that you can make the pace a little more challenging. I still, actually, only aim for 2:45-3:00 when I do 800 repeats.

Also note, speedwork isn't something you do every day. I would only do that particular workout once a week at max.

One thing you might want to try is plyometrics after workouts. Short dashes/sprints, running striders and skipping can do wonders for your strength and your speed. Doing them at the end of your workout will also come in handy when you're in a race and want to kick at the end. Your body will be used to changing pace at the end of a workout anyway and it should make your kick more effective.

I hope this helps you. Good luck. Also keep in mind that your stamina makes you a good candidate for longer races like the 2 mile and even Cross Country or road racing where the events are longer and better suited for guys like you and me who aren't the quickest but can pace well and have stamina.

Answer 3

Ok, I am going to be honest. Your times for regular non track people is outstanding, but compared to good track runners your below average. I think at my schools track there is about 1-2 people who are about at where your at. Not to say that you haven't improved 2 minutes off a mile is great improvement and shows there is room for even greater standards. I mean your in good shape obviously, not trying to put you down at all, because I can only do like a 9 minute mile!! Keep working at it man, you should be able to improve just so you have the right attitude.

Answer 4

My 11 year old sister went 6:30 in the 1600m and 1:10 in the quarter and 2:55 in the 800

Answer 5

you're a freshman, and have lots of time to get better. a 6 minute mile is good, but for high school track you need to be at least a minute faster. the important thing is to keep training, and keep making your personal times better. dont come from a track meet thinking "i came in 11th", but "I cut 8 seconds off my best time".

if you have lots of stamina, you may want to move up to longer distances like 3k or 5k, or run cross country in the fall. but you can increase your mile speed by running sprints and hills.

Answer 6

6:00 isnt good. 80s lap isnt good. seeing as how your a freshman, you have 3 years to improve. A 400m should be under 65s at least. If you want to get better then train hard every day at practice. dont make any excuses. just accept what you have and work with it. do a sport in the fall like cross country or soccer.

Answer 7

stay focused. you'll get there. run 3 miles Monday and Wed then run 800's Tues and Thurs then run the mile on friday...take the weekend off. drink lots of water, stay hydrated.

this will over time help your mile time as your condition will greatly improve. 800's for speed, 3 mile for endurance, always run with a stop watch and time yourself. good luck

Answer 8

i think thats a good time. I think the reson for you coming in 11 out of 15 is because they are slightly better NOT SAYING YER SLOW! im interested in track two next year but im frekin out basicaly just keep practicing!I give you the best of luck!

Answer 9

Sounds like you should investigate a longer race- the 3200 (2-mile)? Cross country in the fall might be good for you.

Answer 10

Hmm... if you're a boy then 6 mins isn't very good and you should work on it. If you're a girl then it's better than average, but not great.