Track Running is an umbrella term used to describe any timed running sport held on a measured distance track.

Track running is an umbrella term that describes any type of timed running performed on a measured distance track; these tracks are most often 400 meters in length.

In competition, the goal of track running is to be the first, or fastest, competitor to finish the race.

Rules vary according to the specific event a runner is competing in.

The only even held at the first ever Olympic Games in 776 BCE was a stadium length foot race. This event is one of the precursors to modern track running. In fact, track running was a part of other Pan-Hellenic Games held around this time. In the 19th century, formal organization of modern events began, and it was also around this time that track running made its way into schools� exercise regimes. Track and field running events were also included in the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.

Baton
Hurdles
Running shoes
Starting Block

High level competitive athletes train rigorously to achieve the level of physical fitness required to compete in these events. Training does vary according to the event a runner is training for; the training regiment for a sprinter differs from that of a long distance runner.

400 Meters - equivalent to a quarter mile or one lap around a standard track

Cool Down - slow running or jogging done after a workout or competition to loosen muscles and rid the body of lactic acid

Hitting the Wall - the point at which muscles glycogen stores become depleted and a feeling of fatigue takes over

Intervals - training in which short, fast repetitions often 200 to 800 meters are alternated with slow repetitions of jogging for recovery

Lactic Acid - a substance which forms in the muscles as a result of the incomplete breakdown of glucose; lactic acid is associated with muscle fatigue and sore muscles

Negative Splits - running the second half of a race faster than the first half of the race

Splits - refers to the time at mile markers or other preplanned checkpoints along the way to the finish line

Strides - short, fast, but controlled runs of 50 to 150 meters, which are used both in training and to warm up before a race

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athletics_(track_and_field)
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-267--439-0,00.html