Okay, so I’ve been meaning to get back into shape, and I heard about this Gary Martin track thing. I figured, why not give it a shot? It sounded intense, but I was ready for a challenge. I’m not gonna lie, I was pretty out of breath just thinking about it.
Getting Started
First things first, I had to find a track. Luckily, there’s a decent one at the local high school that’s usually open to the public. I grabbed my old running shoes – which, admittedly, have seen better days – and some water, and headed out. It was a surprisingly nice evening, not too hot, not too cold. Perfect for a run, or so I thought.
The Workout
I remembered reading something about the Gary Martin track workout, and it had multiple sets. Here what I did, to my best memory:
- Warm-up: I did some light jogging for about 10 minutes, just to get the blood flowing. And some dynamic stretches that make me look I know what I am doing, you know, arm circles, leg swings, the whole nine yards.
- Set 1:I tried 400 meters, then rest, then 300 meters, rest, then 200, rest, and finish with 100 meters run. To be honest, my “run” was more of a “fast jog” by the end of the set.
- Rest: Took a very necessary break, a long necessary break! About 5 minutes. Gulping water, trying to catch my breath, questioning my life choices.
- Set 2: I thought to repeat Set 1, but with more effort, and oh my god, my body was screaming at me. I did another round of 400,300,200, and 100, rest in between.
- Cool-down: Walked a lap, did some static stretches, mostly just tried not to collapse.
My Thoughts
Man, that was tough. I definitely underestimated it. I’m not used to pushing myself that hard, and my body was feeling it. I felt like my heart was going to explode, and my legs felt like jelly. But, you know what? I finished it. I didn’t give up, even when I wanted to.
I wouldn’t say I’m instantly a track star, but it was a good starting point. It showed me where I’m at, fitness-wise, and where I need to improve. It was a humbling experience, to say the least.
I’m thinking of making this a regular thing, maybe once or twice a week. I’ll probably need to adjust the workout as I get fitter, but for now, this kicked my butt enough. I might need a few days to recover, though. Walking down the stairs is going to be an adventure.
