Track and field events, which include running-related activities (such as sprints, middle-distance events, long-distance events, hurdles and relays), field activities (such as jumps and throws) and activities that combine both track and field disciplines, are all challenging in their own right. However, some events stand out as being particularly tough due to the physiological and psychological demands placed upon you or the technical skills required for competitive success.
Marathon
Although the marathon technically is not a track and field event, as it's rarely performed on the track, it is contested along with other running events at large sporting events, such as the Olympics and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships in Athletics. According to Running Times Magazine, the physiological and psychological demands of marathoning are extreme, and participation in marathoning requires your preparation to be intelligent and thorough. Marathon running requires you to cover a distance of 26.2 miles as quickly as possible, which places significant stress on your body in terms of your fuel use (your ability to store large quantities of gylcogen in your muscles and liver), oxygen consumption, joint, muscle, bone and other tissue integrity and ability to buffer lactic acid. The marathon is also one of the most psychologically demanding sporting activities, especially when you "hit the wall," a phenomenon that occurs when you run out of energy, states Dave Martin, emeritus regent's professor of health sciences at Georgia State University.
Decathlon
According to Sheldon Blockburger at CoachR.org, the decathlon is a multi-event competition that consists of 10 track and field events that are performed over a two-day span. During the first day of competition, decathletes contest a 100-meter sprint, long jump, shot put, high jump and a 400-meter race. During the second day of competition, decathletes compete in a 110-meter hurdle race, discuss, pole vault, javelin and the 1,500-meter run. Blockberger states that the second day of competition is the most demanding, as the events require a greater degree of technical skill and the decathlete is already fatigued from the first day's competition. Decathlon is one of the toughest track and field events because it challenges so many of your body's energy delivery systems, and it requires you to possess a high degree of muscular strength and endurance, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, mental toughness or tenacity and a psychological make-up that includes the following traits: discipline, determination, aggressiveness, ambition and perseverance.
Pole Vault
The pole vault is one of the toughest field events in track and field. According to a Feb. 18, 2009, article by Max Olsen in the "Daily Nebraskan," pole vaulting is one of the most intricate of all field events because it requires the perfect blend of speed, strength and flexibility, along with finely-tuned technical skills and know-how. Bill Falk, at EverthingTrackAndField.com, states that, although pole vaulters may vary in size and shape, successful pole vaulters will possess the following attributes: speed (for charging down the approach path), jumping ability (the ability to convert horizontal motion into vertical motion during the lift-off phase), overall athletic ability (a combination of coordination, balance, strength and power) and a positive attitude, which includes the desire to excel at the highest levels. According to Falk, "deep down vaulters must enjoy riding the pole and flying off of it."
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