About Track Sessions
We know it can be daunting - turning up at the track for the first time – or after a break.
This page explains what’s so special about track sessions, and what to expect.
The Benefits
- Increasing your running speed
- Improve your running efficiency
- Practice pacing
- Increase muscle strength and endurance
- Boost your metabolism
- Reduced risk of injury
- Get a feel-good factor (runners high)
Track sessions can deliver real benefits to runners of all abilities and fitness levels. Club track sessions use the grass track at Lymm High School over the Summer (May – August); and Victoria Park Athletics Track during the Winter (September – April).
Speedwork Intervals ...?
The term simply means running at an increased effort for a short distance (say, 1 or 2 laps of the track) or a short interval (just a few minutes). This increased effort is followed by a brief recovery before you do it again. These intervals of increased speed ultimately lead to your body adapting to run at a faster pace.
Required Fitness
You don’t have to be ‘fit’ (or 'fast', or whatever) to join our track sessions.
It REALLY doesn’t matter what your current speed is, or your level of fitness, track training sessions will take you to your next level of running – whatever your starting point.
If you're a club member, and you want to improve your running fitness, we would be delighted for you to take part.
Track Surfaces
The track surface at Victoria Park feels springy and responsive. It feels as though its giving back just a bit of the energy you put in.
It's certainly kinder to muscles and joints than harder running surfaces like pavements or roads. And, of course, it's traffic and obstruction-free.
The grass track at Lymm is less responsive than the synthetic surface at Victoria Park, but it's also soft, kinder on impact, and provides a safe, dedicated running environment.
The Practicalities (Victoria Park)
If you’re at all apprehensive about just turning up please let us know and we’ll do our best to welcome you. If we know you’re coming we can assign a friendly running buddy to show you the ropes, and generally look after you. Email any of the names on the Contact Us page.
Where is it?
- Victoria Park Athletics track is our winter training venue for Tuesdays.
- Address: Victoria Park, Knutsford Rd, Warrington WA4 1DU
- There is plenty of free, lit car parking (it’s the same car park you would use for Warrington parkrun)
When you arrive at the track your first challenge is to get in...
Enter by the gate (it’s on the left as you face the track).
Time & Format
- Lymm Runners have the use of the track from 6.45pm so if you get there before 7.00 please make a start on your own warm-up.
- The session officially starts at 7.00pm when the coach/leader will call a welcome and start the session with a structured warm up.
- Whatever the structure of the session, most are divided into sets and nobody will be expected to run hard for prolonged periods.
- The session will end with a gentle cool-down and usually finishes about 8.00pm.
Facilities
- Victoria Park track is a synthetic (rubber) surface which is great for cushioning and grip. ‘Spikes’ should not be worn and trail shoes are not required!
- It is floodlit so you won’t need head-torches or hi viz.
