How to Run or Sprint Faster
Running or sprinting is an activity that can provide the body with exercise to keep it in peak condition. Part of the enjoyment of running is pushing your body and going as fast as possible. In order to increase speed, there are several training routines that can optimize your performance. Whether you run for a sport or just for fun, following some guidelines should help you maximize your speed and go faster.
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Instructions
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Get loose by thoroughly stretching out prior to running. It's difficult to operate at your peak if you start out cold turkey. Stretch out your entire body, especially your legs. Some helpful exercises include doing toe touches and high knee stretches, where you bring your knees up towards your chest. A set of 20 or 30 jumping jacks will also help.
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Focus on what's directly in front of you. Keep your head straight and avoid using your peripheral vision or looking down at the ground. Instead, concentrate completely on the path in which you are running. Doing so will aim all of your energy toward your intended path and should increase your speed.
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Lean forward slightly while running. One of the biggest reasons runners lose speed is because of leaning back once they get winded. Leaning forward at all times will help to increase your momentum and optimize your running speed.
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Keep your weight on your toes and the balls of your feet while running. Avoid using your heels to propel you because they will only slow you down. Try to make each foot spend the least amount of time possible touching the ground. Doing so will propel your body to achieve maximum momentum.
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Use plenty of arm movement to help propel you. This means swinging your arms frontward and backward as far as they naturally want to go. In turn, your momentum should increase.
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Relax the parts of your body that you aren't using to sprint. This basically means you should loosen everything from your shoulders up. Doing so should help calm your body down and increase speed and endurance.
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Tips & Warnings
Eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables is also helpful. Consume plenty of carbohydrates prior to running. Foods like pasta and bread can provide those carbohydrates.
If you're running a race, try to avoid looking at your competitors. This will only mess up your flow and reduce your speed.
References
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