Going to a Track Meet.

When people go to the University of North Carolina in February on a Saturday it's usually to go and watch basketball.

I am definitely not most people.

I was fascinated by the facility and lack of a real entrance.  Loved the projector and projection screen that showed statistics for the UNC athletes.  (All track facilities need this.  It's important for spectators to know what someone's personal best is and what the records are)  I also liked the speakers set up inside.  They were hung from the rafters.  The Tar Heel Indoor track, Eddie Smith Field House, has three levels.  The upper two levels are just balcony's and track offices.  The lower level has the track.  Overall the facility felt a little dated, but UNC did what they had to do to make it adequate.  It is nicer than UConn's in my opinion.   

One reason that I enjoyed track and field is because there were some characters I saw, and I am not just talking about Jackie Madden. 

I don't like to make fun of people.  I don't want this to be taken the wrong way at all.  But there was a weight thrower that really needs some cardio.  The lime green shirt with the gut hanging way out was quite a sight and is not healthy and probably counter productive to his sport.  I'm sure he is a nice person, but he's got to get healthier.  I feel bad for him.  He has to stick out at a track event like a lime green Volkswagen Beetle at a Ferrari dealership.  He has to feel bad.   Even for weight throwers this was a little much.  

Then we get to the male track runner with the extremely high ego.  So high even he knows it.  The sunglasses worn inside look tells us that he deserves to be ridiculed if he doesn't win.

You also have the high maintenance runners.  The ones who are spraying god knows what on themselves.  Covering their legs in some sort of cream.  They then go through tons and tons of stretching and warm ups.  They get the rollers that they put on their legs.  They swing their legs back and forth.  They do all sorts of stretches.  There is so much stretching going on.  It's a stretch fest.  I should ask track kids about stretching.   

Speaking of warm ups, I feel like these track runners do more of a work out when they warm up then most average Americans. 

When the runners are warmed up and ready to go, they go.  I love the perfection in the running and motion in elite sprinters.  It looks effortless because there is no wasted effort.  The legs work like pistons in a car engine.  One goes up and one goes down in perfect harmony.  Watch sprinters legs and lower body.  It's amazing.  It's truly amazing.  The other thing I notice is how much range of motion the runners have.  It's not like they are barely picking up their legs when they run.  It's much closer to them kicking themselves in the ass.

Track and field is so action packed.  You not only have runners on the track, but also runners warming up for the next event running on the edges of the track.  You have field events going on at once.  It's the perfect sport for those with ADD.  The worst sport to work for those who want things to go exactly to plan.  

The final take away from watching track and field events is how boring to watch the 3,000 meter run is.  Even when you have a rooting interest.  And the second heat of the 3,000 meter run when you are in a hurry to see the next event is just awful.  It's a wonder that the starter doesn't shoot himself to begin the event. 

But actually the person I knew best was in the 3,000 meter run.  So because they are awesome it won't be my final take away.

The 3,000 meter run also taught me a lot about track and field, and what a winner is.    A coach or parent was happy with a runner who finished second to last.  I think the kid was from a Division III school.  I have a feeling that regardless of how his competitors did, he did the best he ever has in his life.  I also saw a runner from Wingate just get to the ground at the end of his race.  Completely exhausted.  Completely spent.  Sweat dripping from his body and praying for some air.  I have no idea where this runner finished.  I don't think he had the fastest time, but he is definitely a winner.  If you train as hard as you possibly can and on the day of the competition you give the effort he did, it doesn't matter how the competition did because you really did win.  (Of course if he went drinking the night before and gave it his all, but didn't have is normal abilities it's a completely different story.) 

I love track and field because it requires people to have the self discipline to constantly push themselves to get better.  If you win a race, but don't break your own personal record then you weren't perfect and aren't completely satisfied.

My final take away are just how perfect mid distance runners and sprinters bodies are.  I did notice that.  They have the bodies that most people really do want.  There is not any fat on these people.  No matter how bad you do at the track, I have to imagine that they feel a little better when they look in the mirror.  Track runners are some of the most elite and fit human beings in the world.