how to get better at running, how do you do it? Options

[sheddingtears]

set goals. go from 15 minute runs and gradually increase from your usual non-stop running time.

[Sweetlilkizzez]

ok so im a runner too it takes me about 7 minutes a mile... i dont run as much as i used too but every summer i do this before i run cross country for my school. start out real small like walk 3-5 mile everyday for a week. then run 1 mile 5 out of the 7 days the next week. and then 2miles the next week then 3miles soo on but if ur musles are real sore then your over doing it so make your runs 3days a week. make sure to stretch b4 and after each run.

[gnawxela]

yay running. anyways, i agree- your mile time isn't that bad. err, i guess you should condition yourself to run long distances, like try running a mile every day or something.

yeah i agree with that girl up there *points up*

but do you wanna do cross country or track? cross country (XC) is like...long distance running and track is sprints and shorter distances...longest distance being like the mile or w/e

yeah, so for XC you get better times by running haha...i guess thats the same for track too, but you train diff.

wait, do you have to try out for your "running team" or w/e ? if you don't just join and you'll do fine

[perdyperdybirdy]

drink lots and lots of water. i use to be pretty good at running...until i got all lazy lol.

[inthemudhole]

[koff]

-Topic moved to Interests --> Sports-

[anoniez]

It's very simple: Mind over Matter.  When your legs are killing you and your out of breath..you have GOT to keep pushing it, and don't let yourself quit. After your done running your required length, do not just throw yourself on the ground, lol you've got to walk it off, and get your heart rate back to normal speed without killing yourself. Drink LOTS of water,,,and i mean LOTS of water. The whole 8-12 glasses a day deal....and in school carry a water bottle....and oh yah STRETCH!!! you've got to stretch!! and be sure to run and practice atleast 3-5 times a week. The more the better...In the beginning be sure to give yourself a day or 2 off so ur muscles can heal, the more you run the easier it'll get.the 1st week might seem like torture, but i swear...once you get to the 3 weeks or 1 month period...running is going to feel so easy

definitely. that's exactly right. you have to just keep pushing yourself, never ever stop to walk because that defeats the whole workout. unless you're really seriously going to pass out or something. and be sure to stretch before and cool down afterwards: walk it off, stretch, and do some jumping jacks/crunches, etc.

[sammehmyst]

I'm a pretty fast runner, so I recommend doing these few:

Create a schedule. Run straight, no stopping, for 5 minutes one day, 10 the next, 15 the next or until you can level it. Run every day, or every 2 days, but don't sprint. You might hurt yourself. Go easy

Stretch. Stretch your arms, legs, head, feet, everything. It might seem unnecessary, but everything is worth stretching when it comes to a sport.

Some minor aerobics. I don't mean like, hard workouts. I just mean like, a few pushups, crunches, etc. Don't go too hard on yourself, but you have to exercise. It might seem unnecessary to workout your arms, but when you do the 3200 your arms will thank you, trust me.

[azn_r4pf4n]

wanna kno how to get better? here's the secret...
u run.
push urself to the limit. ur tired? big whoop. keep on going. keep on running until u feel like ur gonna pass out from hyperventilation. (don't tho, thats not a good thing to do..) always try to improve ur time. practice breathing excercises. people always are huffing and puffing and they get stitches way too easily. pace urself. don't run too fast and then die out from lack of energy. work out. do squat thrusts, sit ups, push ups, go swimming, etc, etc. improve ur stamina. try racing with friends. it gives u a goal and incentive to whoop their asses on the track field.

i run like...a 6 minute 25-30 seconds time for a mile. for my school, we run a lot every day. 4 miles on average + 2 miles worth of 1/2 mile sprints or 6 miles non stop. i should be on the track team for sprinting cause i'm a like whoa fast sprinter, but i don't have time for it.

meh. u get used to it. and its great for exercise. plus, u get great muscles in the legs.

haha, i agree with dahding.

c'mon, 8:32 isn't bad, it's good. my fastest time is 6:25 and i can't go back to that kind of time now. im like the 8:00 type of person.

DON'T GIVE UP is a way of running better. believe me, i have comments from my peers that "I'm never tired." *cracks up* c'mon, of course i'm tired, i just don't give up.

[*krnxswat*]

My fastest is 4:50.

[loopylandscapes4...]

if you just run a mile or two each day or five time a week you should be able to improve

also, I heard from some people on cross-country that if you run on a treadmill bare foot, it would help you.. but I'm not so sure about that

[marzipan]

just run more and have a healthy diet

[bananapants]

run uphill and run with weights like a weight vest or just hold em in ur hand it helped me

[voguelove]

well, considering that im on the track team at school, you can probably PM me with any questions you have about track.

it all depends on what events you want to do. in track..theres..

100 meter dash
100 hurdles
200 meter dash
300 hurdles
400 meter dash (one lap)
800 meters
1600 meters
3200 meters (2 miles)
4X1 (relay)
4X4 (relays as well)

if youre looking at sprinting, then i suggest sprinting drills. if you want to now more about those, PM me.

if you want to do long distance or middle distance, id suggest you run hills, laps, or run on sidewalks. like what dahding said below, keep going. do not stop..even if youre tired. stopping makes the body slow down even more and makes you more tired. the first week or two, youre gonna feel it on your legs and arms. even if youre sore, you have to keep going. and remember to pump those arms!

make sure you stretch as well. if you injure youself or feel as if youre about to faint, dont keep going. get some water, rest, stretch some more and then go again once you feel like youre getting your breath back. but if you injure yourself, stay at home. ice the aream and stretch lots. dont go back until youre 100% recovered. if you keep going, chances are, your injury is going to get worse.

ive been on the track team for 4 years (starting from 7th grade.) doing sprinting drills in middle school allowed me to compete on the varsity team freshman year. like i said before, if youve got any questions, then PM me.

[Sparkle09]

For my track team at the begining my coach had us run a half a mile at practice and then other form drills, and everyday we would run alittle longer. Now I can run two miles and not even be that tired after. Also if you don't have practice on weekends or sundays you should still run becuase it will set you back if you skip a day!