How to Run Faster

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After you've been running for a little while and improved your endurance, you may want to focus on a new goal -- running faster. Here are some simple things you can do to start running faster and improve your race times:

Be Prepared for a Little Discomfort

Some beginners have difficulty running faster because they're afraid of feeling uncomfortable. But one of the first steps to getting faster is to learn what it feels like to pick up the pace. When you're pushing yourself during speed training, expect to get out of breath and feel your leg muscles burning.

Try Interval WorkoutsWork on Your Turnover

If you can increase your stride turnover, you'll run faster. Start by running at about your 5K pace for 30 seconds and counting every time your right foot hits the ground. Then jog for a minute to recover and run for 30 seconds again, this time trying to increase the count. Focus on taking quick, light, short steps -- as if you're stepping on hot coals. 

Interval workouts are a fun way to work on your speed. You can do track workouts, such as 400m (one lap around the track) repeats. After a 5- to 10-minute warm-up, alternate between running one 400m at your 5K pace and jogging one slow, easy recovery lap. Start with two or three 400m repeats (with a recovery lap in between each), and try to work your way up to five or six. Or, if you're running on the road, you can use lamp posts or telephone poles to mark intervals. After warming-up, try sprinting for two lamp posts, then recover for two, and keep repeating the pattern until you've covered a mile.

Do a Tempo Run Once a Week

Tempo runs help you develop your anaerobic threshold, which is critical for running faster. To do a tempo run, start your run with 5 to 10 minutes of easy running, then continue with 15 to 20 minutes of running at about 10 seconds slower than your 10K pace. Finish with 5 to 10 minutes of cooling down. If you're not sure what your 10K pace is, run at a pace that feels "comfortably hard."

Try Some Hill Training

Hill repeats are an efficient way to build running strength. Find a fairly steep hill that's about 100 meters long. Run hard to the top of the hill, and slowly jog back down. Start with 3 to 4 repeats once a week, and gradually work your way up to 6 to 7 repeats.

Lose Weight

If you're already trying to shed some pounds, here's more incentive: Research has shown that, on average, runners get two seconds per mile faster for every pound they lose. So, for example, a 10-pound weight loss would shave about one minute off your 5K race time.

Don't Forget About Rest Days

Don't assume that running hard every day will make you faster. Rest is critical to your recovery and injury prevention efforts, so don't forget to take at least one day off completely each week. Your muscles actually build and repair themselves during your rest days. So, if you run every day without taking days off, you won't see much improvement.

Be a Smart Racer

It's possible to shave some seconds or maybe even minutes off your finishing time with smart racing strategies, such as making sure you don't start out too fast. 

Running Stretches!!!

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   Before you run, stretch. Avoid static stretches (stretch and hold): they have been found to reduce performance and increase the possibility of injury. They're great for after a run, but before you run, perform dynamic stretches. They will help you and your muscles warm up. Here are some good ones to use:
   • Leg lifts. Swing one leg out to the side as far as you can swing it, and then swing it back across your body in front of your standing leg, as far as possible. Repeat this stretch ten times on each leg.
   • TIn soldier. Keep your back and knees straight, and walking forward, lift your legs straight out in front in an exaggerated march, and flex your toes towards you. Too easy? Add a skipping motion. Do ten reps with each leg.
   • Butt-kicks. Kick your own butt? You bet! While standing, walk forward, and swing your legs back and up, trying to kick yourself in the glutes. If this gets to be too easy, do it while jogging. Do ten reps with each leg.
   • Lunges. Step forward using a long stride, and keeping the front knee over or just behind your toes, lower your body by dropping your back knee toward the ground. Walk using that movement. Maintain an upright posture throughout the stretch, and keep your abs tight for maximum benefit. Once again, do ten reps on each leg.
   • Pike stretch. Get in a "pike" position with your butt in the air. Put your right foot behind your left ankle. Keeping your legs straight, press the heel of the left foot down, and then release. Repeat ten times on each leg.
   • Hacky sack. Lift your left leg up like you're kicking a hacky sack, bending at the knee so it points out. Tap the inside of your left foot with your right hand without bending forward. Repeat ten times on each leg.