"Run Day", in Physical Education Class

"Run Day" has traditionally been a day that students voice the most displeasure with.  It is a day that they are required to do a cardiovascular activity that is recorded for a grade.  To try to take the anxiety away we teach the kids a few of strategies that will help them achieve their desired result while enhancing their fitness.  These strategies are not just for the students but for anyone who is starting out on a plan to improve their fitness. 

Whether it is a mile run, a 20 minutes run, a pacer run, or a cross country run it is important to try these strategies to improve your endurance.  As you endurance improves you will need these strategies less as you will be able to run greater distances.

1. "Quarter Quarter"  This technique is to run a quarter of a lap, then walk a quarter of a lap, then repeat until you are finished.  By building in the break the body recovers and you ready to run again.
2. "30 30"  This technique is to run for 30 seconds and then walk for 30 seconds and repeat.
3. "Run the straights and walk the turns" This technique is to run the straight away on the the track and to walk the turns.
4. "Run as far as you can then walk 20 paces"  This technique is to run as far as you can then walk for only 20 paces and then run as far as you can and repeat.  This technique is best used after the first three as you build endurance.

For our students, if they use these techniques they will pass the runs while building cardiovascular endurance. 

Happy Running! :)