Counting Laps at the Gym....running

No suggestions, but I just have to ask: How do you not go crazy?!?! My gym's track is 7 laps = 1 mile, and I prefer the treadmill over that.  I would also recommend changing direction every now and then if running in that many circles.

Actually, I do have a suggestion...do you have a watch that has a lap function? Just hit the lap button.

Good luck. I hope the snow melts soon!

iPod nano with the Nike+ attachment to keep track of the mileage, and forget trying to count.  Before I had that, I would just keep repeating the lap number over and over in my mind, and increment it at the start of the lap.  Didn't really care for that, as I like to let my mind wander.

Most tracks have a prescribed direction, and you have to run with the flow.   Time-honored tradition is counter-clockwise, but some indoor tracks switch directions every other day or every third day.  This is especially true if the corners are canted to help prevent injuries.

I second the nano 

http://www.sportcount.com/products.php

http://www.amazon.com/Hand-Pitch-Counter-Finger-Ring/dp/B000EP7INI

Either seem pretty affordable.  My gym is 12.5 to a mile and they hand out the silver amazon option if requested.  Works fine.  Pick a spot, and click each time.

I understand that; I was only hoping to give some advice. I am not a MD/PT/etc., but I would think that doing 100% of your running on a small track that constantly has you rounding corners would not be good for the knee, foot, etc. that is constantly on the inside. I would probably choose the treadmill over the indoor track for that reason (or do everything possible to switch it up if the indoor track is my only option). I switch direction even when running on the outdoor (1/4 mile) track. But, that's just my opinion and what I've been told by others (I don't have any factual information/case studies/etc. to support my statements, or to give examples of actual injuries that could result).

BikerGrrrl - 2007-04-13 3:12 PM I feel I can say this, since I live in Minnesota and I assume your weather isn't worse than mine... Run outside. It's fun, even when the weather is cold. I run in the street when the sidewalks are too icey, etc. I also wear a headlamp for when it's dark (all winter when I run after work). Really, I don't mean this in a snarky way. If you'd like advice on gear, clothes, etc., I'd be glad to offer it. I did buy those things to put over my shoes for traction (cannot remember name...) but never tried them before the snow melted. Granted, I was forced inside a few times when the wind chills were dangerous or the precipitation was really bad. Then I used the treadmill though

Since we're taking some poetic license and veering off topic

...yes, I agree with this post 100%. 

I live fairly close to your area and can say I ran 99.95% of my runs, 100+ miles per month, outside all winter long.  I would consider probably under 5 of them to be epic "me vs. nature" struggles.  The rest were fine given proper clothing, which is much easier than you might think.

I can also PM or address wardrobe/traffic/whatever issues you might question.

A few other methods...

1.  Train solely on time and HRM.  The BT HRM-based training programs will give you a time to shoot for and targeted heart rates (Z1 through Z5).  I run indoor track on weekday mornings so that I don't have to bring all my outdoor workout clothes with me (which can be A LOT on those 10 degree days).  Just look at the clock at the gym, or press the start on your HRM and run the prescribed workout, i.e., 10 min warmup, 20 min Z2, 5 min Z3, 10 min cooldown.  Pretty amazing what a good workout you can get, as well as pace to HR correlation AND NO COUNTING LAPS!

2.  This takes a little calculation.  Say you were doing pacework 8:40 miles.  I run on a 10 lap and 16 lap/mile track.  For a 10 lap track: 8 * 60 = 480 seconds + 40 sec = 520 seconds to run a mile.  520/10 = 52 seconds.  It should take you 52 seconds to run each lap.  Great way to work on pacing.  For the 16 laps/mile, I just keep dividing the time until I get to lap time, i.e., 8:40/2 = 4:40, 4:40/2 = 2:20, 2:20/2 = 1:10, 1:10/2 = 35 sec.  It should take me 35 sec to run each lap.

Anyways, a few more ideas.  Kept me sane during the winter.  I HATE COUNTING LAPS.  I even lose count on 100 yds in the pool. 

It's a matter of preference.  When it's cold enough to wear tights, I usually wear a supporter underneath, or wind briefs if it's really cold.  I don't wear shorts under the tights.  Some guys wear nothing under the tights, but I don't find them tight enough for that.    Sometimes, when it's REALLY cold, I'll wear sweat pants over the tights, and then I get the slipping sensation you described.  I've discovered, though, that nothing is really falling down (if it's tied properly), it just feels that way.  For slightly-cool-to-kinda-cold weather (mid-thirties to mid-forties or so), I wear lightweight training pants, which are not tights, but not sweats either, again with the supporter.

Something I have done at the indoor track I run at (16 laps = 1 mile) is I break it down.  I keep track of each lap on my fingers, 1-4 on the left hand is the current lap for that 1/4 mile.  1-4 on the right is the 1/4 mile I am on.  So it goes 1-3 on the left, then 1 on the right, repeat until you hit 3 right and 4 left that is 1 mile.

So for your 20 lap track you could do 1-4 left, then 1 on the right for the 1/4. 

At the track I run at they switch directions every 15 minutes, so 1 hour worth of running is 4 direction changes.