Running is a great way to get in shape, clear your head, and explore your surroundings. But sometimes, running can feel like a slog. For anyone who has ever run a race, whether it’s a 100-metre sprint or a full marathon, the question of how to run faster always arises. While there’s no magic answer that will turn you into the world’s fastest runner overnight, there are definitely some things you can do to pick up your speed and improve your running performance.

 

In this blog post, we’ll go over some of the ways you can start running faster, from improving your technique to adding speed workouts to your training regimen. These will help you pick up the pace and make running feel easier and even more enjoyable. Let’s begin.

 

1: Strengthen your core

 

Having strong abdominal and lower-back muscles will help you run faster by improving your form and preventing injury. Unfortunately, many runners don't focus on building core strength, thinking that they'll just naturally get stronger as they run more miles. But if you want to see results both in terms of speed and in terms of avoiding injuries, it's important to focus on building core strength from the very beginning.

 

The good news is that there are plenty of ways to do this, even if you're not a fan of crunches or sit-ups. Planks, bird dogs, and deadbugs are all great exercises for runners who want to build core strength.

 

2: Develop a better running technique

 

One of the best ways to start running faster is by improving your technique. Good running form not only makes you more efficient (which means you’ll be able to run faster with less effort), but it can also help prevent injuries. Here are a few key aspects of good running form that you should focus on:

 

  • Stride Length: Take advantage of gravity by maintaining a tall posture and using a quick cadence to generate Forward momentum. As your foot strikes the ground, focus on driving your knee forward (rather than up) so that you can effectively “push off” into the next stride.
  • Arm Swing: Relax your arms and let them swing naturally at your sides. Resist the urge to pump them across your body, as this will only add tension and make you more likely to tire out quickly.
  • Breathing: To maintain a strong and sustainable pace, focus on taking deep, even breaths through both your nose and mouth. And resist the urge to hold your breath while you run; this will only make you feel more winded.

 

3: Incorporate speed workouts into your training

 

If you really want to learn how to run faster, incorporating speed workouts into your regular training routine is key. Not only will these types of workouts improve your leg turnover and sprinting speed, but they’ll also help increase your overall endurance so that you can sustain a fast pace for longer periods of time. Here’s a brief overview of each type of workout:

  • Intervals: Interval training alternates short bursts of high-intensity activity with active or passive recovery periods in between. For example, you might sprint for 30 seconds followed by 1 minute of walking or jogging (active recovery), then repeat this pattern for a total of 20 minutes.
  • Tempo Runs: Tempo runs are continuous runs performed at a slightly slower pace than race pace with brief periods (about 30 seconds) of rest in between each “tempo effort.” The goal of tempo runs is to help runners learn how to “settle into” their desired race pace and maintain it for an extended period of time without tiring out too much.

 

4: Eat a healthy diet

 

What you eat directly impacts how you feel when you run. Eating too much processed food or foods high in sugar can make you feel sluggish, while eating nutrient-rich foods will give you more energy.

 

5: Improve your breath control

 

Proper breathing is essential for running, yet most runners don't think about it very much. When you breathe properly, your lungs expand fully and evenly, which allows them to take in more oxygen. This oxygen fuels your muscles and helps them work more efficiently. The result? You guessed it: You'll be able to run faster.

 

Final Thoughts

 

If you want to know how to run faster, you just need to know where to start. Focusing on core strength, cleaning up your diet, and optimising your breathing are all great ways to run faster (and better). By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to shaving minutes (or even seconds) off your personal best in no time.