The sport known as track and field dates back to 776 B.C. in Olympia, Greece. Track and field is a sport that requires a high level of mental commitment and resilience, as it is primarily based on discipline.
Track and field contains 3 different events: running, jumping and throwing, each of which contains its own specific categories.
For the running category, there are 5 events: sprints, distance, relays, hurdles and steeplechase.
The running events are further divided by run length in meters, such as sprints designated for 100m-400m, middle distance for 800m-3,000m and long distance for 5,000m-10,000m.
Relays are the only event in track and field that is performed in groups. It works by having participants pass a baton while running on a track, which is divided into four sections of either 100m or 400m.
Hurdles utilize the same sizes as the sprints and distance running; however, they contain one big difference: the obstacles. The track has rows of these barriers, which the participants must leap over and continue running.
Steeplechase is another event that takes an insane amount of mental and physical strength. Steeplechase takes place over a 3,000 m sprawl of land, typically containing 28 fixed barriers and seven water jumps throughout a seven-lap race. This derivative of track and field originates from the racing of Irish horses, as it requires athletes to display elite distance running and jumping skills.
The jumping events of track and field consist of long jump, triple jump, high jump and the pole vault. Jumping was remarked by many athletes as one of the most mentally taxing categories. As for the jumps, there are four stages: the approach, takeoff, flight and landing. To perform these phases perfectly requires a high concentration level and resilience when practicing.
The final category of track and field is the throwing events. The throwing events contain shot put, discus, javelin and hammer competitions.
Shot put is an event in which the athletes spin and release a metal sphere above the shoulder while staying within the bounds. The goal for the athletes is to maintain proper form while putting (pushing) the ball to a far distance.
Discus is an event that is extremely similar to the shot put event. The only difference between the two is that discus is performed with a flat aerodynamic disc.
The next throwing event is the throwing of a javelin, a spear-like weapon often crafted of carbon fiber or metal. To complete the javelin-throwing correctly, the spear must land tip-first with no rotation allowed by the thrower. Another qualifying factor for this event is that the javelin must be held and thrown from the cord grip.
Track and field contains 48 events in total at the international level. With an all-or-nothing mindset being set worldwide for many of the participating athletes, many feel mentally worn out.
Sophomore Tysin Adams, a participant in long-distance running for North Forsyth High School, said, “There’s usually a track meet every weekend. Sometimes there’s two a week,” as well as practice every day after school.
When inquired about the mental taxation of track and field athletes, Adams said, “The more physically draining ones are the longer distances and then the more mentally draining is the shorter distance. Like the 800 is really mental because you have to figure out how fast to do the first lap, and then see how drained you are on the second lap.”
Track and field is a sport for the ages, one requiring durability and the right mentality to achieve triumph.
