Run.

Origins of Track and Field Modern track and field traces its origins to the Olympic Games of modern Greece (more than 2500 years ago!) Races from 100 meters (1/10th of a mile) to 10,000 meters (6 miles) are run on a 400 meter oval.

The Story of Mercury The Greeks worshipped Hermes, the messenger of the gods in Greek mythology. The Romans borrowed the Greek stories of Hermes and added them to their own stories about their messenger god, Mercury. The messenger god dressed in the clothes of a shepherd and wore winged sandals. He was the fastest of all the gods. Track and Field has adopted the winged shoe as one of its symbols.

Relays Relay race—a race between teams in which each member of the team completes a portion of the race. Example: 4x400 meter track race. Each team member completes one lap (or leg) of the race. First Leg: Second fastest runner and quickest starter. Second Leg: Best straight away runner. Third Leg: Best curve runner. Fourth Leg: Fastest runner and best competitor.

Relay Exchange A stick (called a baton) is passed from one team member to another between laps in an area called the “exchange zone.”

Training Techniques Running Drills Breathing Exercises Breathe through your mouth and nose at the same time Deep breaths from the stomach (diaphragm) Cadence breathing Ex: breathe in for 2 steps and out for 2 steps Running Drills Butt kicks High Knees

Athletic Competition Why do people compete? For medals or prize money To be recognized or praised for athletic ability To gain experience and knowledge from competing against others of similar ability To gain psychological advantage over others (e.g. be able to “psych them out”) To have fun To get faster and improve the body and/or mind To escape every day life

Hydrocephalus From Greek: “hydro” (water) and “cephalus” (head) Too much cerebrospinal fluid in the brain; body cannot drain it May be caused by birth defect, head injury, or other infections or conditions affecting the central nervous system May cause: abnormally large head thought and behavior may be affected typically does not cause intellectual disability Treatment: surgical implantation of a tube (shunt) to drain the fluid.