New to the track? Try a relay workout

If you’re new to the track, it can be a pretty intimidating place. Even the most experienced runners can find track workouts to be unforgiving, especially if they haven’t stepped foot on the oval in a while. If you’re thinking of attempting a track workout but are feeling hesitant, we recommend grabbing a running friend and doing it relay-style. This type of workout will ease you onto the track and make it a lot more fun.

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The workout

The idea behind this workout is simple: while one of you runs, the other rests. As soon as one person finishes their interval, the other starts, and you continue alternating until the workout is over. Your rest is however long it takes for your partner to complete their leg. For example, if your workout is 6x400m, each of you alternates running a lap of the track until you’ve both completed all six of your intervals.

While having an actual baton isn’t 100 per cent necessary, it does make it feel more official and a bit more fun. Of course, you likely don’t have an actual relay baton lying around your house, but anything that’s light and baton-shaped will work, like a stick, an empty water bottle, or even a banana.

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Like we said, going to the track alone can be intimidating, but if you bring some friends and make it a game, the workout will fly by, and you’ll have a ton of fun while you do it!