Possible to run faster?

[ark94]

Not sure why, but i have ALWAYS wanted to know this, especially since Fifa started it just amazes me.

Is it possible that a slow person can run faster? Or a fast person can become slower?
How do people run so fast, or sprint so fast? How do they increase there stamina if they don't have good stamina? Is it all genetics? Or if you have bigger calves or legs whatever, can you sprint/run faster than somebody who doesn't?
Can people train to increase how fast they run or sprint? and how do they do it?


Just something that has always been in my head and wanted to ask to find out.
Thanks

 

[Rachel...lol]

Generally, individuals are predisposed to have either more fast twitch mucles, or slow twitch muscles. (Sprinter vs. Endurance Athlete) Type 1 muscles, also known as slow-twitch, or red muscle fibers are those resonsible for long acting activities, endurance or aerobic activities. Type 2 muscle fibers (also divided into types A and B) are responsible for short duration, and explosive activities. While generally the types of muscle fibers you have are what you're born with. Obviously, it makes more sense to be an endurance athlete if your makeup is predominantly slow twitch muscles, as opposed to a sprinter or power lifter, and vice versa. Being predisposed to have one type of muscle fiber over another does not obviously mean that you cannot run distance, or cannot weight lift. Recognizing your body's composition allows you to then train for the specifications of your muscles.

Training to maximizing your body's ability to convert oxygen to energy (ATP) will help an athlete build endurance... there are many articles available online about this topic, and probably many threads availabe on EF as well.

 

[spk55]

specific training is the way.. you are slow and want to get faster... gotta train that way.
you wanna have endurance, train that way..
as a former runner, trying to break an age division american record in the mile, i sought out as many way to train as possible.
one key workout was to run 1000 meters to exhaust the legs, and after a short rest, run four quarters under 55 seconds.
that was a speed workout we did a lot of times..
but to really get fast, you have to train fast..
i was a miler and 1000 meter racer.
i met jim ryun (world record holder in the mile at the time... 3:51.1) at a local 5k race and asked him a bit about speed training. for the mile, its 200-800 intervals most will do. but jim said think and train like a 100 yard dash man too.
so my friend and i would run fast 100's - 150's. this really helped the leg turnover, so when we trained our 400's we were a bit faster.
he also suggested to train on an ever so slight downhill, where you could run down it fast. not a super steep hill.
this also helped increse leg turnover.
so yes, we benifited from training a bit different way, to get an ever so slight edge in speed.
it can be done.

 

[stevesmi]

if you want to get faster you run, thats the only way.

yes some people are gonna get way faster then others, there are a lot of factors in there

 

[~IVY~]

Some in genetic and alot is in your training...I find the weather makes a difference too. I run all year outside and I am slower in the winter than the summer.

 

[Jimmy998]

I agree with spk. Running 200m-1000m Sprints will increase your speed. Also holding a rope with some weight attached about 10-15 feet behind you and doing some sprints will help some of the people with weaker legs, to strengthen all the muscles you use for running. Maybe 50 lbs or so in sand. Or 80 lbs in grass. But being consistent is the only real key. Every other day you can run safely without having to worry about injury. And speed work maybe twice a week. Its good to mix in a LSD (Long Slow Distance) Run to compliment your speed work.

 

[thelocal]

if you wanan run faster this is what you gotta do.what boxers do,sf armt soliders,this is endurance

put on a 10lb ankle weights and 10lbs hand weights..run everyday for your x amount of time after a month increase it by 15 lbs..then one day if you feel strong enohg start wearing a weighted vest..after about 4 months of this when you run wihtout the weights youll be faster trust me