A track is a rough path or road and is usually one that is not built. It is made by people walking there. When constructing or creating a track surface, one needs to put in mind that choosing the type of surface is the most important decision to make. There are very many options available but unfortunately, each option comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. You therefore need to consider a number of various critical factors in order for you to choose the best track surface.
How can you choose the best track surface? This is definitely easy for one needs to consider the location, financial resources and also the possible measures of maintaining it. The use of the track surface chosen is also important. The major factor to consider is the financial resources and also the maintenance capability. One should also be able to ask his inner self the intended frequency of the chosen track surface. The major type of track surface is the running track surface. Any track surface chosen affects the physical health, running technique and mostly the speed of the runner. The major theme of performance and safety should be the main key deep inside your mind when making your choice on which track surface to choose. A track surface which is easy to maintain and cost effective should also be considered as top factors when making your decision. A perfect research on advantages and disadvantages of various types of running track surfaces should be carried out in order for you to select the best one which fits the intended purpose and planned budget. A track surface which has more pros and cons is the best track surface to go for.
Natural surfaces are the best track surfaces for they require very minimal cost to construct making it very affordable. Cinder and clay are natural track surfaces which are common. Some people might also prefer grass. They have a positive impact on the runner’s joints. Comfortability is also a sweet factor experienced on natural track surfaces for one feels very comfortable to run on. The exercise the legs by making them work harder hence improving the running techniques of the runners. The soft surfaces make the effect of a fall or hit less severe hence minimizing injuries. It also strengthens the muscles in the feet. Soft surfaces also help to create more resistance than other running track surface materials.
It is true that anything that has an advantage also has its disadvantages even though some advantages might overtake the disadvantages for they might be many and stronger. This applies to natural track surfaces for it only has two evident and major disadvantages. Natural surfaces are slightly costly to maintain for they need constant maintenance. This maintenance requires adding of filler materials and leveling them. Lanes also need to be remarked regularly because holes might be seen on the track surface if they are not well kept. This may lead to increased rate of injuries due to the roughness of the track surface and the evident holes if it is not levelized properly. This will therefore lead to constant maintenance which is very costly.
Did you know that the transportation cost has really increased in the recent years? The cost of transporting materials which are used in building or creating the natural track surfaces is very expensive. The most advantageous part with natural track surfaces is that they have used very advanced and unique technology to build them in the recent years. This advance surface tracks have been designed to hold water nicely making it less costly to maintain. The cost of using to enhance this latest technology is however expensive for it has raised the price of natural track surface making it rare too be preferred or chosen over in the new era.
Another type of track surface is polyurethane running track surfaces which comes in four different types which are listed as follows: The porous polyurethane track which has a base mat. It is also made of a porous layer. The layer is coated in a texture spray. Softness and permeability are evident in this type of surface. Rubber particles mixed with polyurethane which can also be called base mat are bound together to form The Basic Polyurethane Bound System. A porous and solid polyurethane and rubber is topped on a base mat after sealing. This creates a permeable and textured surface. So many people prefer to use this type of track surface. Each layer can also be mixed and poured in place to form a full pour system. Texturebility is done to the surface but they remain impermeable.
Synthetic running track surfaces are also important. Synthetic tracks are preferred surfaces for they provide a reasonable and most importantly a forgiving surface to the runners’ legs. They make measuring distances and timing sessions easy for they are exactly 400 meters around. Rubber particles mixed with latex or polyurethane and commonly known as synthetic rubbers are common materials used in building most running tracks. An installation to a depth of about 1\2” of latex or polyurethane surface is done on top of a concrete base or even an asphalt base. Systems of different textures are constructed in layers for best results and also pulling it easily along the surface. Despite of the many advantages, synthetic track surface also has a disadvantage: The two long curves on every lap causes stress on the ankle, knees and hips.
Is a rubber running track surface important? This is a very important question because a track surface that has rubber has more advantages than all other types of track surfaces. A super shock absorber and a smooth layer to prevent injuries and fear of falling in athletes is reduced. The softness prevents the muscles and joints from overstretching and injuries and any other forms of damages. Muscles are no longer stressed for leg exertion is supported making it easy to support even the most violent outcome. A synthetic track surface lasts more than 20 years which signifies that it is very durable. It is not affected or influenced by weather and therefore does not require a lot of maintenance. The best track surface should be average meaning it should not be too hard or too soft. This prevents injuries for runners will not cause harm to the ankles or even hurt their knees. It should have a force that stops runners from sliding on the ground and also have an act of holding them tightly to prevent stumbling and falling although it should be very fast. Despite being durable, it should also be very attractive. It should not be too expensive but very easy to handle and maintain. A softer track surface than normal makes it easy for the legs and feet to move. This therefore makes softer tracks to be preferred over hard tracks in the long-distance running events making short distance running events to benefit more firm, hard and faster tracks.
Another type of track surface is latex running track surface. It is safe and durable. A performance is also provided by latex-bound tracks. Latex bound tracks have spring surface. This surface is very fast also very forgiving to the ankles and the feet. The advantageous part of it so that it allows water to pass through it hence making it easy for water to drain from the track surface. Black is the basic system. Latex running surfaces can also come in three other types of colored systems; Colored rubber and binder which is colored I the top layers, Full depth color tracks in which the rubber and latex binder are colored all through the surface, Colored binder which has a black rubber. The biggest disadvantage of contemporary latex running surfaces is that the use of colored binder and also colored rubber is very expensive because the cost of buying them are very high which makes it very costly to maintain
All-weather surfaces are another type of track surface. They are the fast-modern track surfacing systems. In the late 1960s all- weather roads were invented. These roads are made of asphalt with rubber or sand. They are commonly known as asphalt bound surfaces. They are called all-weather surfaces because they are not affected by weather making them very durable. They are very convenient to runners for they allow them to keep up a steady rhythm because they are very fast. Over the recent years, asphalt bound tracks are not commonly built because their surfaces are very unpredictable and the materials used in building them are very expensive. Asphalt bound surfaces become very soft during hot seasons and a bit hard during the cold seasons for they are affected by temperature. When asphalt ages, it becomes old, their ability to return to their original shape becomes harder than normal. Asphalt bound tracks may weaken the runner’s joints and muscles hence increasing the risk of injuries. As we manufacture the needed asphalt, we shut the asphalt plant down, produce a special mix, clean the plant equipment and restart production of regular asphalt. This makes asphalt bound track quite expensive
Another type of track surface is the woodland. It is also known as the nature trails. Protection against dangerous things is created in soft woodland. This is best for a joint and friendly training. The soft surface can weaken your strength and slow down your pace, this therefore makes it unsuitable for a high running pace but a specific pace. The advantage of running on woodland trails is that they are located in areas of scenes which makes you keen to return. This makes them easy on the legs. The disadvantage of running on woodland trails is that woodland trails can be muddy and slippery when it rains. Presence of tap roots can be hectic for runners because it causes accidents and injuries due to falling which might also lead to breakages. This surface may also turn rough when the mud dries up hence causing damage on the users’ ankles by twisting them.
The best track surface to practice on is the grass because it is soft and easy on the legs. This makes your muscles work harder. This is advantageous for it builds strength and definitely means you will do a better job when you go back to the road. Flat ground provides an excellent speed work surface. The disadvantage of running on the grassland is that grass is uneven and can therefore cause harm or injuries to runners with unstable ankles for this is very dangerous to them. During rainy seasons or winter, we might experience some wetness on the grass hence making it slippery. Runners with allergies or dangerous diseases like asthma may suffer a lot when running on this surface due to excess cold. The soft texture of the grass can tire the legs quickly due to the use of extra energy on the slippery ground. You can prefer to choose grass as your training surface for it is the best training surface for most runners especially when they get cold.
Did you know that a track surface is also needed for schools’ sports facilities? When asking yourself this important question, you should put in mind your needs, your preference and most importantly your budget. Soft track surfaces are preferred for the schools’ long-distance programs. This soft surface favors the legs and feet. Small events which are also called print events may want a firm tack but faster.
Running Track Surfaces is also a type of track surface. A proper running track surface releases spikes and adds energy to the athlete’s foot from the running track surface. The best track surface reduces the level of injuries for it minimizes fatigue on the athlete’s knee and also reduces leg wear.
To avoid a lot of continuous injuries, heavy metals, solvents or even mercury and any other type of harmful materials should not be seen anywhere of the running track surface. In general, one needs to consider the track surface that has more advantages than disadvantages. It is therefore true that all surfaces have their advantages and disadvantages but your body should be the number one indicator on which track surfaces you are going or want to choose. Make sure you chose the best track surface to avoid injuries as possible. Best track surfaces may also reduce the expenses of repairing and maintenance for it will not require frequent repair due to their high-quality nature.