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9 Ways to Run a Faster Mile
By Christine Luff, ACE-CPT Christine Luff, ACE-CPT Christine Many Luff is a personal trainer, fitness nutrition specialist, and Road Runners Club of America Certified Coach. Learn about our editorial process Updated on August 31, 2019 Reviewed Verywell Fit articles are reviewed by nutrition and exercise professionals.
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Sophia Chen 1 minutes ago
Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based researc...
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David Cohen 1 minutes ago
by John Honerkamp Reviewed by
John Honerkamp John Honerkamp is an RRCA and USATF certified running c...
Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more.
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Ava White 1 minutes ago
by John Honerkamp Reviewed by
John Honerkamp John Honerkamp is an RRCA and USATF certified running c...
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Luna Park 2 minutes ago
Verywell A standard track is 400 meters for one lap (four laps equalling one mile). Some tracks are ...
by John Honerkamp Reviewed by
John Honerkamp John Honerkamp is an RRCA and USATF certified running coach, celebrity marathon pacer, and recognized leader in the New York City running community. Learn about our Review Board Print Hoping to improve your mile time? Whether you’re a high school track athlete, a beginning-level runner, or a masters runner, making small changes to your training routine can improve your pace. If you don't already know your current mile time (or it's been a while since you clocked your mile), start by doing a timed trial on a track to set a baseline to measure your progress against.
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Andrew Wilson 8 minutes ago
Verywell A standard track is 400 meters for one lap (four laps equalling one mile). Some tracks are ...
Verywell A standard track is 400 meters for one lap (four laps equalling one mile). Some tracks are shorter and will require more laps to reach a mile.
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Amelia Singh 5 minutes ago
Tracks are usually marked, but if you are unsure about the size of a track, just ask (or, if you are...
Tracks are usually marked, but if you are unsure about the size of a track, just ask (or, if you are using a school track, check the athletic department's website). Here are nine strategies to try the help you shave time off your mile. 1
Schedule Interval Training High-intensity interval training is a fun way to improve your speed and confidence.
As a runner, incorporating speed intervals into your training schedule can help you to improve your level of fitness and 1-mile pace. Once a week do speed repeats.
For example, on a track, you might run several 200-meter sprints (1/2 lap) or 400-meter sprints (full lap) with a short recovery in between each effort. The workout is fairly straightforward.
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Daniel Kumar 31 minutes ago
After a 5-minute to 10-minute warm-up, alternate between running hard for 200 meters or 400 meters a...
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Harper Kim 8 minutes ago
For 400-meter intervals, start with two or three repeats (with a recovery lap in between each), and ...
After a 5-minute to 10-minute warm-up, alternate between running hard for 200 meters or 400 meters and then easy jogging or walking for the same distance to recover. If you’re doing 200-meter repeats, start with six repeats and try to work your way up to eight to 10 repeats.
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Lucas Martinez 1 minutes ago
For 400-meter intervals, start with two or three repeats (with a recovery lap in between each), and ...
For 400-meter intervals, start with two or three repeats (with a recovery lap in between each), and try to work your way up to five to six repeats. These can be performed on a track or on any measured stretch of road.
You can also do these workouts on the treadmill. If you're running on the road, you can use lamp posts or telephone poles to mark your intervals.
After warming up, try sprinting for two lamp posts, then recover for two. Repeat the pattern until you've covered a mile.
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Kevin Wang 1 minutes ago
6 Track Workouts to Improve Your Speed and Finishing Kick 2
Build Endurance If you want to run a...
6 Track Workouts to Improve Your Speed and Finishing Kick 2
Build Endurance If you want to run a faster mile, you’ll have to run longer than a mile. You may already participate in at least one run per week that is longer than a mile, but you want to add one that is significantly longer. To increase your running distance, start by gradually increasing the distance that you are currently running.
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Sophia Chen 32 minutes ago
For example, if your longest run is currently 2 to 3 miles and your total weekly mileage is 10 miles...
For example, if your longest run is currently 2 to 3 miles and your total weekly mileage is 10 miles, add about 1 mile per week until your long run totals 7 to 8 miles. You can accomplish this by adding up to a mile to your longest run, increase your total mileage by up to 10% each week. If you are training for a half marathon or full marathon, you'll continue to build your mileage on that long training day.
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Ella Rodriguez 24 minutes ago
Doing one long run per week (in addition to shorter runs on other days) will improve your cardiovasc...
Doing one long run per week (in addition to shorter runs on other days) will improve your cardiovascular fitness and strength, which will lead to faster times. It also helps improve your mental strength, which will help you push through discomfort toward the end of a race. How to Run Longer Distances Without Burnout or Fatigue 3
Increase Stride Turnover The rate at which your feet hit the pavement is called your stride rate or your stride turnover.
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James Smith 27 minutes ago
You can practice improving your stride turnover to learn how to take quicker, shorter steps and impr...
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Noah Davis 17 minutes ago
However, some scientists feel that the rate is highly personalized. You can identify and improve you...
You can practice improving your stride turnover to learn how to take quicker, shorter steps and improve your pace. Most new runners have a stride turnover that is too slow. Coaches sometimes recommend reaching a rate of 180 strides per minute.
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Madison Singh 19 minutes ago
However, some scientists feel that the rate is highly personalized. You can identify and improve you...
However, some scientists feel that the rate is highly personalized. You can identify and improve your rate with a simple exercise. Identify your current turnover rate.
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Ella Rodriguez 20 minutes ago
Run at your 5K pace and count the number of times your right foot hits the pavement for 1 minute.Dou...
Run at your 5K pace and count the number of times your right foot hits the pavement for 1 minute.Double the number to get your turnover rate.Use a running drill to improve it. Run for 1-minute intervals and begin by running at your current stride turnover rate.
Run again and try to increase your foot strike count. Repeat the sequence several times, trying to increase your foot strike count by one each time. If you have a heart rate monitor, try to identify the turnover rate when your heart rate is lowest.
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Joseph Kim 29 minutes ago
This may be the most efficient stride rate for you. Be careful not to overstride while you are runni...
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Julia Zhang 25 minutes ago
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Improve Running Form Spend a few minutes at the beginning of each run practicing proper runnin...
This may be the most efficient stride rate for you. Be careful not to overstride while you are running. Your feet should land under your hips, not in front of you.
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Improve Running Form Spend a few minutes at the beginning of each run practicing proper running form. You can use simple warm-up drills that accentuate different aspects of good running form. This will ensure that your movement is enhanced during the body of your workout.
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Isabella Johnson 19 minutes ago
Try adding four to six drills that help your running form to your warm-up. For example, a quick and ...
Try adding four to six drills that help your running form to your warm-up. For example, a quick and efficient stride turnover helps you to run faster with less energy. Participating in a drill called "fast feet" helps train your feet to move more quickly.
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Madison Singh 29 minutes ago
Simply run in place as quickly as possible for 1 to 2 minutes to complete the drill. Other drills in...
Simply run in place as quickly as possible for 1 to 2 minutes to complete the drill. Other drills include butt kicks (lifting heels behind you as if you are kicking your butt) to improve hamstring engagement or carioca drills (sometimes called "grapevines") to help improve hip stability.
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Harper Kim 79 minutes ago
After the warm-up and during your run, pay attention to posture, arm motion, and foot strike positio...
After the warm-up and during your run, pay attention to posture, arm motion, and foot strike position as these all make a difference in your speed. You don't want wasted energy and inefficient body mechanics that will slow you down.
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Sofia Garcia 20 minutes ago
Work on your form at a lower speed so it can serve you well as you speed up. 8 Quick Fixes for Runni...
Work on your form at a lower speed so it can serve you well as you speed up. 8 Quick Fixes for Running Form 5
Run Hills Doing hill repeats will make you stronger, as well as improve your running efficiency. Hill work can increase your lactate threshold to improve your mile time.
You can perform hill repeats (also called incline training) on a hill outside or on the treadmill. A treadmill makes it easier to control the incline and the length of the hill, but most treadmills don't allow you to run downhill, which can be an important part of training especially if you are training for a race with hills. To do hill repeats, start by warming up with 10 to 15 minutes of easy running.
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Isaac Schmidt 57 minutes ago
If you are running outdoors, find a hill with a decent incline—but not too steep. If you can, find...
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Luna Park 6 minutes ago
You'll want to try to push yourself hard up the hill, but don't let your form fall a...
If you are running outdoors, find a hill with a decent incline—but not too steep. If you can, find a gradual incline that extends for about 100 to 200 meters. Start running up the hill at your 5K effort pace.
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Liam Wilson 98 minutes ago
You'll want to try to push yourself hard up the hill, but don't let your form fall a...
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Julia Zhang 38 minutes ago
When you reach the top of your hill, turn around and recover by jogging or walking down the hill. Th...
You'll want to try to push yourself hard up the hill, but don't let your form fall apart. Try to keep a consistent effort.
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Ava White 114 minutes ago
When you reach the top of your hill, turn around and recover by jogging or walking down the hill. Th...
When you reach the top of your hill, turn around and recover by jogging or walking down the hill. The number of repeats depends on your experience and fitness level.
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Joseph Kim 38 minutes ago
Beginner runners should start with two to three repeats, adding one additional repeat each week over...
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Kevin Wang 40 minutes ago
Learn How to Run Hill Repeats 6
Climb Stairs If you don't have easy access to hills, run...
Beginner runners should start with two to three repeats, adding one additional repeat each week over three to four weeks. Advanced runners can start with six repeats and add one each week with a maximum of 10 repeats. After completing your repeats, finish with a 15-minute cooldown of easy running.
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Isaac Schmidt 83 minutes ago
Learn How to Run Hill Repeats 6
Climb Stairs If you don't have easy access to hills, run...
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Audrey Mueller 100 minutes ago
As your fitness level increases, try to run upstairs for longer stretches of time. Stair Running Wor...
Learn How to Run Hill Repeats 6
Climb Stairs If you don't have easy access to hills, run stairs instead. You can use the same approach as hill repeat. Find a staircase that has several flights (you want to be able to run uphill for at least 1 to 2 minutes without having to turn around and run down).Run up the stairs for 30 seconds, then walk down to recover. Repeat five times.Gradually work your way up to 10 repeats.
As your fitness level increases, try to run upstairs for longer stretches of time. Stair Running Workouts to Build Speed and Power 7
Lose Excess Weight If you're already trying to shed some pounds, here's more incentive.
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William Brown 10 minutes ago
On average, runners get 2 seconds per mile faster for every excess pound they lose. For example, a 1...
On average, runners get 2 seconds per mile faster for every excess pound they lose. For example, a 10-pound weight loss could shave about 20 seconds off your mile race time.
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Christopher Lee 20 minutes ago
Trying to lose weight while training for a race can be tricky. Your body needs to be fueled properly...
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Madison Singh 156 minutes ago
That said, there are some basic nutritional guidelines you can follow to make sure that you don'...
Trying to lose weight while training for a race can be tricky. Your body needs to be fueled properly to get the most out of your training, which means cutting calories might not be the best approach.
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Charlotte Lee 45 minutes ago
That said, there are some basic nutritional guidelines you can follow to make sure that you don'...
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Dylan Patel 110 minutes ago
Fill up on nutrient-dense foods like crunchy vegetables, sweet berries, and fresh fruit. Build meals...
That said, there are some basic nutritional guidelines you can follow to make sure that you don't consume too many unhealthy (and unhelpful) calories. Eliminate empty calorie foods. Sweetened sodas, candy, starchy fried snacks, and sugar-filled baked goods provide calories but are not good sources of nutrition.
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Ethan Thomas 27 minutes ago
Fill up on nutrient-dense foods like crunchy vegetables, sweet berries, and fresh fruit. Build meals...
Fill up on nutrient-dense foods like crunchy vegetables, sweet berries, and fresh fruit. Build meals around lean protein, whole grains, and leafy greens.
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Sophie Martin 43 minutes ago
You also want to be mindful of how much you're eating. You might feel entitled to a big indulge...
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Amelia Singh 54 minutes ago
If you're unsure how many calories you need to eat each day, you might want to work with a r...
You also want to be mindful of how much you're eating. You might feel entitled to a big indulgent meal after running, but you don't necessarily need to eat more calories than you burned.
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Scarlett Brown 129 minutes ago
If you're unsure how many calories you need to eat each day, you might want to work with a r...
If you're unsure how many calories you need to eat each day, you might want to work with a registered dietitian who specializes in running to get personalized guidance. 8
Get Strong Building muscular strength will boost your speed and provide other fitness and health benefits. You don't need to lift serious weight or hit the gym five days a week, though. There are several bodyweight exercises you can do a couple of times of week after your run to help add lean muscle.
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Sofia Garcia 63 minutes ago
Simply add basic whole-body moves to the end of your running workout two to three days per week. For...
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Ethan Thomas 15 minutes ago
It also improves your muscular strength in your upper body and core. Doing strength training after y...
Simply add basic whole-body moves to the end of your running workout two to three days per week. For example, after a 3- or 4-mile run you could complete: 10 to 15 push-ups10 front and side lunges10 single leg squats on each legFinish with a 1-minute plank This basic routine will help you strengthen the muscles that keep your body stable and balanced while you are running.
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Victoria Lopez 110 minutes ago
It also improves your muscular strength in your upper body and core. Doing strength training after y...
It also improves your muscular strength in your upper body and core. Doing strength training after your running workout instead of on a different day allows you to fully rest on recovery days.
Strength Training for Runners 9
Rest Well Don't assume that running hard every day will make you faster. Training is important but rest is crucial.
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Victoria Lopez 24 minutes ago
Rest days are critical for proper recovery and injury prevention. Your muscles need this break to re...
Rest days are critical for proper recovery and injury prevention. Your muscles need this break to rebuild and repair tissue. But you don't need to lay on the couch all day for this rebuilding to occur.
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Madison Singh 73 minutes ago
A rest day shouldn't be a complete day off. Instead, it should include easy activities that...
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Hannah Kim 62 minutes ago
Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reli...
A rest day shouldn't be a complete day off. Instead, it should include easy activities that you enjoy, preferably those that engage muscles that you don't use when running. For example, you can take a yoga class, go for a bike ride, swim, or visit a rock-climbing gym. Why Athletes Need Rest and Recovery After Exercise 2 Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles.
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Nathan Chen 130 minutes ago
Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reli...
Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. The Effect Of Acute Body Mass Reduction On Metabolism And Endurance Running Performance.
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Madison Singh 23 minutes ago
Nijhuis-Van Der Sanden, Staal JB. Injuries in Runners; A Systematic Review on Risk Factors and Sex ...
Nijhuis-Van Der Sanden, Staal JB. Injuries in Runners; A Systematic Review on Risk Factors and Sex Differences. PLoS One. 2015;10(2). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0114937 By Christine Luff, ACE-CPT
Christine Many Luff is a personal trainer, fitness nutrition specialist, and Road Runners Club of America Certified Coach.
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