Research Corner - Q&A Running a Faster Mile by Steve Rhyan | Date Released : 06 Nov 2002 0 comments Print Close Question: I have a client who is interested in reducing her running time from 10 to 8 min/mile. Any suggestions on a training regime? Answer: This subject always catches people’s attention. How do we get faster? There are books written on this subject area. Most of the books and articles dealing with this subject all start off with having “a reasonable goal.” Is it possible for someone reaching his or her desired objective? You do not state any specific details about your client that would make direct program advice possible (i.e., age, body composition, how long she has been training, does she have any health issues that may interfere with her goals, etc). You get the picture. My last question is how many miles does she wish to maintain this pace: one mile, three miles or a marathon? Without a full picture of your client, we will construct a general training outline for improving running speed, and hopefully you can apply the principles here to the specific needs and capacity of your client. As stated above, does this client’s goal seem reasonable? That is something your experience and training will be able to answer. If she does not have any health issues, is not 80 years old and has some running history, then it seems likely she may be able to get there. Proper Progression We are all in a hurry to get to our goals. In athletics, a rush to achieve a goal can equal injury or over training, fatigue and sometimes both. Cycling your client’s efforts and volumes is a good formula for success. Generally, it has been my experience that an average cycle should last two to four weeks. This duration keeps everyone’s interest and is long enough to stimulate changes. An example might be three times a week with Day 1 using an endurance run, Day 2 some hill work and Day 3 going with intervals. Distance and intensity are the variables that get adjusted. Distance or Duration We have not established what your client’s goals are, so it is difficult to design something precisely. However, if improved speed is the name of the game, then shorter and longer than goal distance should be used. Let's say she wants to run one mile in under eight minutes. Using the above cycle, we would do the following: Day 1 Endurance run of two to four miles at whatever pace she can handle for that day. If it is two miles, then try for under 18 minutes, three miles under 30 minutes, etc… Day 2 Hill work can be grueling but fun. Find some long hills that take her two to four minutes to run up. Repeat the hills four to eight reps and then cool down and stretch. Day 3 is Interval Training. A flat surface is good for proper footing when she starts running above her normal cadence. Track or treadmill works well. Use one to three minute work periods with equal or less rest periods. If she runs one minute, then rest one minute. This is a 1:1 work: rest ratio. 1:2, 1:1 and 1:.5 work: rest ratios are good and hard trainings. Her run speed needs to be faster than “normal” cadence. Intensity It is difficult to prescribe intensity without her health history. However, your experience will no doubt be able to judge her work efforts. You can use an article I wrote on the PTN web site called Training Considerations for Mountain Biking. The article pertains to mountain biking but has an interval graph and cross over training heart rate versus VO2 max. Strength Training Strength training should be limited to two days a week and done on “off” days. Use two to three compound lifts to keep her strong. Also, focus on the mid-section for abdominal and spinal strength. Use the PTN Exercise Library for lifting ideas Flexibility after workouts is much easier to achieve. Hamstrings, achilles tendons and hips are the main focus. I hope this helps you and your client in setting a new personal best. Good luck! Back to top About the author: Steve Rhyan Steve is a member of: National Strength and Conditioning Association American College of Sports Medicine American Society of Exercise Physiologists. <br><br> Steve has been an athlete, coach, teacher and trainer for over 20 years. Steve received his Undergraduate degree in Physical Education/ Biology and Graduate degree in Physiology of Exercise from San Diego State University, San Diego, CA. He has taught from middle school to college and coached high school, college and professional athletes. <br><br> As an athlete, Steve was a professional moto-cross racer for 10 years. He was California State Champion several times, ranked in the top 10 Nationally and in the top 20 Internationally. Steve has also participated in the Decathlon, numerous Triathlons, several Fitness Challenges and won the Police Heptathlon in San Diego, CA. To better understand "Body-Power," Steve studied Kajukenbo(Hawiian Karate) for several years and received a Black Belt. He is pursuing an education in Kodokan Judo to further understand anaerobic conditioning and the application of strength, power and agility. As a coach he specializes in Moto-Cross Racing, Track & Field, Mountain Bike Racing and Surfing. <br><br> Steve is presently a part time lecturer in Exercise Science at Santa Ana College for the Police and Fire Services and is Director of Strength and Conditioning at Specialized Personal Training(SPT) in Mission Viejo, California. At SPT, he specializes in Sports Medicine and Fitness Training for all ages, but especially people over 40 years of age. One of Steve's clients won the female division of the Navy Seal Fitness Challenge, she is 50 years old! Steve has several articles on training for a Fitness Challenge published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning. When he is not writing, studying, teaching or training you can find him, with his family, on the beach surfing. Aloha. <br><br> "I learn by going where I have to go." 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