A starting pistol or a starter pistol is a handgun, basically a typically a specially designed revolver. It is used so that once it is fires to start the track and field races, as well as competitive swimming races at some meets. And the sound of the gun going off serves as the signal for the athletes to begin an event. Running track is the best feeling ever it allows us too relieve stress and build our confidence out there on the track.  Track and field is a beautiful site and it sets up sharp, well preparing or dealing with any time of race. The shocking part about it is the gun that is used before any race has or is about too began. The gun is used that so everyone out there is able too hear when the race is about to began. It is a painful and loud sound that may get to jump but its all worth it at the end. The gun loud also allows and tell any and everyone when to began running. And is you didn’t know , believe it or not track and field is not the only sport that uses a gun to began an race or meet.

The gun is well prepared and used and no one will get hurt by it all it. Blank shells or caps are used to prevent injury and thus usually a cloud of smoke that appears in the air. Starting pistols may be modified versions of standard pistols incapable offering bullets, most commonly achieved by welding an obstruction into the barrel. When electronic timing is used, a sensors often affixed to the gun. Which sends an electronic signal to the timing system upon firing. For deaf competition or for modern electronic systems, and light may appear instead of sound and gun smoke , that is because they are not able to hear anything at all.

Sometimes there is an issue with dealing and using an starting pistol and I say that because some people get nervous and some are just not feeling the nosey at all. Another issue with the gun Is since the report of the pistol is carried to the competitors at the speed of sound. Which takes about 3 milliseconds to travel one meter, positions nearest the starter hear the report a few seconds before the runners that are lead behind him or her.

There is also an silent pistol that was once used in 2012 games that is connected to speakers behind each athlete competing in a heat ensuring all athletes to hear the pistol simultaneously. Dealing with the silent gun pistol throughout the Olympics everyone knows that every second-or hundred of a second counts due to lag in sound traveling time, runners in the farthest lane have an disadvantage from the beginning of their athletic challenge. The gun gives runners in the closer lanes and distant leg up. Leg up meaning they kind of hears it first and its a possibility that they may be in the lead.  But depending on how fast or focused they are  that’s if they will remain In lead. Track runners are based upon building, learning and staying focused at all times thought out practice, meets and more. This year one time dealing with track Olympics committee is suing an electronic gun that makes no noise at all but is instead weird to speakers directly behind each runner, ensuring all runners hear the starting mark , in order to began the race.

Staying focus is important and comes along good in the long run for you and your teammates. You can take the focus off those elements of the race you can not control , your finishing time, your opponents, the weather. But it will direct them to the outcomes you can control. Visualization is something that is totally different but important as well here today. Visualization yourself executing your race plan, going through your warm-up routine, and even focusing on your breathing. By directly your thoughts to those who are physical and mental aspects you can control. The nervous will dissipate and you will increase your chances of success.

Visualizing during the race, you will visualize is racing is tough, there’s no two ways about it. At  some point on your way to a great race or a new PR you’re going to hurt and you’re going to have self doubts. Letting negative thoughts creep into your mind is one of the easiest. Track and field is an exciting event and chilled one at that.