To determine your takeoff foot, have a friend gently push you from behind. The foot you step forward from is your dominant foot and can be used for the takeoff. Alternatively, you can determine your takeoff foot by thinking about which foot you kick with or which foot leads when you jump over something, such as a hurdle.

10 years = 10-11 strides 11 years = 10-12 strides 12 years = 11-13 strides 13 years = 12-14 strides 14 years = 13-15 strides 15 years = 14-16 strides 16 years = 15-17 strides 17 years = 15-21 strides

Another way to determine your starting point is to begin from a certain point on the track and run forward the number of strides you have determined you will take. Mark the point of your last stride. Do this several times so you can find an average distance based on the number of strides you take.