[KentuckyHillBilly5321]

So how many meets can they actually compete in during the year? The next thing is a little of the top but what are the best track surfaces for them to run on, which are the faster tracks?

In cross--it is 13. In track (as of last year) it is 4 indoor meets and 10 outdoor meets (not counting the regional/state).

The best surfaces--another great question. The best is a synthetic surface known as "Mondo". It is like a really hard (but still flexible) rubber. It is hard enough where you can get up on top of the surface, and there is hardly any bounce (like some of the other rubber surfaces)--so all of a runners motion is heading forward (not up and down). This is what most of your Olympic level tracks are made of.

From there, you basic sythetic surface (rubber, crushed up tires, shedded Nike shoe soles, etc) are next in line. They are usually great for sprinters, but take a little bit away from the distance runners (again--to much up and own). That can usually be counter-acted by some forward lean (which the sprinters are usually running with). A lot of high schools have these types of tracks now. And it is a good thing for injury prevention (especially since so many schools are running higher mileage now-a-days).

Last on my list, are the old asphalt, concrete or performance coated asphalt tracks. They are bad for traction. They are bad for injuries (because the surface is so unforgiving). They are bad for speed. I am under the impression that the distance runners run faster on them at times. (Again--no up and down bounce--all forward motion).

I hope I filled in the blanks here . . . . . If not--give me a yell!