How to Increase Running Speed

Before coming up with a plan on increasing running speed, it is important to develop a strong base of running long slow distance. This is very important as speed training can put a lot of stress on your body, and without a good running base you can suffer from injuries. Apart from running and jogging, special exercises can help you increase your running speed. Mentioned below, are the different drill and resistance training workouts with other tips that will help you run faster and improve your running endurance.

How to Increase Running Endurance?
Given below are the drills and weightlifting workouts to increase your running stamina and endurance. Also, tips on timing yourself to note down your progress and stamina are mentioned. So, start a workout with a warm up, drills, resistance training and finally finish your workout with stretching exercises to cool off.

Resistance Training
Resistance training exercises play an important role in to increase running speed and stamina. With resistance training you can build your leg muscles, and thus increase stamina for running. First concentrate on the larger muscle groups of quads and hamstrings. After a warm up of 15 minutes of mild jogging, take two 10 pound barbells. Hold one in each hand and perform lunges. To perform lunges stand at hips width, lift the chest and the engaged lower core abs. Then, holding a barbell in each hand, step with the right foot forward till your foot is directly above the ankle. Step back and repeat for the other side. Perform 12 repetitions of 3 sets for this workout.

Skipping Workouts
Exaggerated skipping is a good way to increase your running speed. Swing your arms in the direction opposite to the movement of the leg which is lifted, and drive each knee up as comfortably as you can. You can use the arm swing motion to help you lift the legs higher. Skip for 100 yards up and then 100 yards back.

Step Up Exercises
Step up exercises can greatly help to increase running speed. Use a low bench and hold a 10 pound barbell in each hand. Then step with your left foot on the bench and lift your right leg, while bending your right knee. Pause for a few seconds to engage the lower abs. Then step down, repeat for the other side. Perform three sets of 10 repetitions.

Basketball Slides
This is like sideways skipping, but without the bending of the knees required. Slide with your right leg and then bring the left leg to meet the right one. Land on your left foot and then repeat the exercise. While performing this exercise, keep the arms in a running motion. Slide for 100 yards forward and then backward in the same direction.

Timing Yourself
While speed working out on a treadmill you can keep the track of time easily. Jog for a moderate 4-5 miles, then sprint a mile or less to time yourself. Then jog one mile and then repeat, if you have stamina, perform one more sprint. This way you can increase your stamina.

Stretching After Workout
These were some of the drills and tips for increasing your running speed and stamina. Another factor which can help you increase your running speed is to keep your muscles flexible, which can be done by following some stretching exercises and techniques. Hard training can make your muscle tight, and increase the risk of injury. So after every workout, spend time stretching your legs, back and chest muscles.

These were the tips and exercises for increasing running speed. So, follow the above tips and form a good routine to increase your running speed and stamina.