Running: This is an obvious one. Go on a run through your neighborhood or you can even have a parent bring you to the track. Treadmill is also a good option if you have one. Work on either a longer distance run at a comfortable pace or do some speed work and do shorter distances fast. If you are at the beach for a spring break vacation, running on sand is a great workout!
Yoga & Pilates: You can find a lot of these workouts online. Coach Harry's favorite is "Boho Beautiful." Go to youtube and type it in to have a ton of workout choices! There are targeted workouts for abs, legs, and arms too!
Weights: If you have free weights or wokout equipment at home, this is a great way to build muscle and strength.
Body Weight Exercises: Push ups, crunches/sit ups, planks, squats, lunges, mountain climbers, jumping jacks, etc. You can do sets of these. A good workout would be to pick 3 or 4 of these and do 3 sets of 15
Biking: You can go for a long bike ride varying your speed and finding hills to challenge you muscles. A stationary bike inside is also a great workout.
Swimming: If you have a YMCA membership or access to a pool, swimming is a great workout. If you are on vacation to the beach during spring break, this is a fun way to exercise.
Sports: Playing other sports is a great way to builid strength, speed, and endurance.
It is always very important to stretch. Stretching helps to prevent injury and keeps your muscles loose. Stretching should be incorporated into your workout routine before and after each workout. It is also very important, as an athlete, to work on your hip flexor mobility. This will help you in any sport that you play, not just track and field.
Warm Up routine to use before your workout
Cool Down routine for after your workout
Hip Flexor/Mobility Routine
Healthy eating habits are important for not just athletes. Knowing the right things to eat before a game/meet can be very helpful in improving your performance. Below are some general guidelines and suggestions.
Pre-Game Meal:
Eaten 2 to 4 hours before the performance
High Carbohydrate
Moderate in protein
Low in fat, spicy foods, simple sugars, and fiber
Pre-game meal example: Turkey sandwich and pretzels
During Performance Meal:
HYDRATE
Consume 30 to 60 grams of carbohydrates and drink a liquid containing sodium if the performance last for more than one hour to enhance endurance. Example: a banana or energy bar like a Clif bar.
You can get the needed carbohydrates, water, and electrolytes in drinks like Powerade.
After Game Meal:
Hydrate- it is important to replenish your body of any fluids that it lost during your performance. Be sure to drink lots of water the next day.
Normal Healthy Meal