Improve Running PerformanceWhat do you do when you want to improve running performance? Well, seriously, quite often I get questions of runners trying to improve their running performance. And often I can help them out with the same advice. Look for example at a recent e-mail I received : "Hi Dominique, I run a mile three times a week. In the beginning I ran it faster every time. Lately I am stuck and can't seem to improve anymore. What can I do to improve my running ? Thanks in advance. Neil" The runner in this e-mail makes a few mistakes. That's okay, he is learning. And I was able to help him out by pointing out a few of my running tips.  Improve Running Tip #1 : Run Further to Run FasterThis runner runs a mile.Every workout. Never more. Leaving him completely out of breath. Not being able to do more. Imagine if he built up his mileage. To three miles per workout. Five miles per workout. Add in an even longer run getting to, say, ten miles. A mile would suddenly not be that far anymore. I bet he'd be doing that one little mile a lot faster. That's one of the first keys when you want to improve your running: run further and develop your base, your basic stamina/endurance. Want more information about base running? Check out the base running drills page. Also keep in mind to increase your mileage safely. Improve Running Tip #2 : Vary SpeedThis runner only knows one speed. Top speed.There are incredible benefits in running at different speeds. Base Running Speed I just linked to that page, I know. It's so important, I am doing it again. This is the most important running speed. It's easy/slow running. Many people don't like working out at this speed. It's too slow. Too dull. Too boring. But at this speed you train the heart to transport more blood and oxygen with every heart beat. You train the running muscles to more effectively use the oxygen in the blood they get from the heart. This speed should be the cornerstone of your running program. Tempo Running Speed Tempo running changes your lactic acid threshold, so that lactic acid builds up less rapidly in your running muscles and gets transported out more quickly. I am not going to go into all the scientific detail, I'll try to keep it high level. See lactic acid as the by-product of exercise. When your body produces only a little lactic acid (at low speed), your body can remove it from the muscles without a problem. However, when you run faster and faster, more lactic acid gets produced. At some point your body will not be able to remove it out of the muscles quickly enough and the lactic acid starts building up. When lactic acid builds up in your legs and you can't get rid of it in time, your legs get really, really heavy. That's basically what happens when you run at a high speed for even more than five minutes or so. At some point your legs will start to drag. It's the lactic acid doing its work. If base running is most important, tempo running is a close second. Doing base running and tempo running alone, many of us would be able to set personal records on all distances of 1 mile and up. Interval Running Speed At this speed you improve the amount of oxygen your running muscles can consume. So, where base running makes your heart stronger, pumping more blood (and oxygen) to your muscles with every heart beat, interval running makes your running muscles work more efficiently. Interval running is out of the three just discussed probably the hardest one to do. I really dread doing intervals most of the time. I know they help make me fast. And afterwards you have got a real sense of accomplishment. But they do hurt a bit! That's why you should follow the advice I provide in the above link. It makes interval running just that little bit easier. Covering all these different speeds in your training is necessary to keep on improving your running. Improve Running Tip #3 : Running TechniqueIn addition to doing the above running workouts, it pays off to focus on your running technique. When you improve your running technique you use less energy with every step you take.Now, we take a lot of steps when running. A 1% improvement pays off over the long haul. It can come down to fairly simple things, e.g. keep your head straight, don't make your arms swing wildly from the left to the right etc. Some useful links to learn more about running technique: Running Cadence Deals with the optimal number of strides per minute you take and provides drills you can do to improve your stride rate. Frustrating at first, but when you can improve the number of steps you take from, say, 165 to 180, it pays off dividends. Running Technique The running technique page gives you various ideas to work on your running technique. Improve Running Tip #4 : PeriodizationThere is a time for each type of running training. When preparing for a race, you need to know the concept of periodization.This is cutting up your training in different building blocks. Starting with base building you then progress to faster workouts closer to the race. Finish with a good taper and you'll be optimally prepared for race day. Improve Running Tip #5 : Do More Than Running Training Alone
More than running training alone improves performance. Running training is incredibly important to improve your running. But it's not the only necessary component. Now, back to the runner in the e-mail. He runs three times per week. Does he do any cross-training? Does he consider his diet and stay away from junk food? Just a few aspects which certainly do have their impact on how fast you are and factors to look at when trying to improve running performance. These five simple running tips combined give you a good basis to start of from. So, keep in mind: I hope this helps you in becoming a faster runner who can constantly keep on improve running performance. Subscribe to the Best Running Tips Newsletter or to the Best Running Tips Blog. Go from Improve Running Page to Running Training Page Go from Improve Running Page to Best Running Tips Homepage Running Training Questions: Ask Your Running Training Questions | Running Training Q&A Summary | Running Workouts: Base Running | Tempo Running | Interval Running | Fartlek / Speed Play | Goal Pace Running | Special Workout: Billat's 4 x 5 | Special Workout: Yasso 800 | Running Workouts | Hill Running Tips and Workouts | Running Programs: Heart Rate Monitor Running Programs | 10K Running Program | Half Marathon Running Program | Running Technique: Running Cadence | Running Strides | Running Technique | Pose Running Technique | Barefoot Running | Other: Running Stretches | Cross Country Running Tips | Cross Training for Runners | How to Improve YOUR Running | Increasing Mileage Safely | Periodization | Five Basic Running Tips | Tips on Running Races | Speed Training | Running Journal / Running Log | Cross Country Running | Running Records Like this page: |
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