Without a doubt, the mile can be one of the most challenging distances for any runner to cover, and is a real test of fitness ability and mental tenacity.
Whether you’re preparing for a marathon and want to increase your average pace per mile, or you simply want to hit a new personal best during your next run – elevating your training can help to improve your speed, stamina and overall performance.
This is where we come in.
Below, we are going to be sharing some ways you can enhance your training and help you shave minutes off your mile in just a few months.
Just keep reading to discover the top ways that you can help to speed up your pace and hit some new personal bests.
How To Run A Faster Mile: Top Tips
If you’re not already aware of how long it currently takes you to run a mile (on average) then we recommend that you first take the time to set out on a one mile run so that you can have time to work on.
There are many ways that you can time your run, including wearing a watch or by even using a timer on your phone.
Once you have established how long it roughly takes you to run a mile, you will then have a baseline time to begin working on improving.
Below, we are going to be sharing with you some of the easiest (as well as most effective) ways that you can go about speeding up your current mile time. When you’re ready, let’s take a look:
High Intensity Interval Training
One of the first ways that you can train yourself to run a faster mile is to incorporate high intensity training into your running routine.
When regularly carried out, high intensity interval training has the ability to improve your stamina, as well as your speed!
If you’re interested in trying out high intensity training, then we recommend incorporating speed intervals into your daily running routine.
For example, you could run for 3 minutes and then break into a sprint for 45 seconds, and then repeat the process until you reach a certain distance.
High intensity interval training is one of the most effective ways to build up speed and stamina, so we strongly recommend giving it a go if you are trying to shave a few minutes off your mile runs.
Endurance Training
Speed is strongly tied to stamina, and one way that you can help to increase yours is through endurance training!
If you are wanting to increase your speed when running a mile, then it only makes sense to make sure that you are working on increasing your fitness and ability to run for a prolonged period of time without stopping.
In order to do this, we recommend incorporating a range of different endurance-style training methods into your workouts and training sessions – such as climbing up stairs, working up a sweat on the elliptical trainer or even through swimming.
All of these types of exercises will help to increase your endurance ability, and in turn, help you to complete your mile runs a lot quicker than you originally were.
Work On Your Running Form
Along with all of the above, it is also important to make sure that you are ensuring you are implementing the correct running technique – regardless of whether you have been running for years or you’ve just recently joined the community!
To help ensure that you are able to get the very most out of each running session, we strongly recommend spending 5 minutes before embarking on your run carrying out drills to help make sure you are using the correct running form.
Wear High Quality Running Shoes
Along with making sure that you are using proper running technique, we also suggest investing in a pair of high quality running shoes if you do not already have a pair.
Unlike regular sneakers, running shoes have been specifically designed to help support your natural gait, feet and legs while you run, which will help to boost your performance and maybe even take a few minutes off your overall time!
Make Sure You Are Getting Plenty Of Rest!
Last but certainly not least, the final way that you can help to increase your speed when running a mile is to make sure that you are getting plenty of rest in between your training and running sessions.
If you do not make sure that you are getting all of the rest your body needs to recover, not only will you find that your body and muscles are not responding in the way that they usually might – but you are also more than likely going to find yourself struggling to hit any personal bests.
If you are planning on building up your stamina and speed while running, then it is absolutely essential that you make sure to take rest days in order to let your body recover.
Wrapping Up
Even though it might not seem like it, the mile can be one of the most challenging distances to cover – regardless of your level of experience.
Besides challenging one’s fitness ability, the mile is a distance that also requires much mental tenacity, especially when just getting started.
Now that you have taken the time to read through all that we have shared above, we hope that you are now feeling much more confident about how you can elevate your training routine in order to ensure that you are able to pick up the pace while running.
With regular training and a can-do mindset, not only should you find that you are able to shave off around 2-3 minutes from your current mile running time in just a few months, but you should also find that you are able to enjoy each of your running sessions more than ever before.
Hi, I’m Richard Harris and I have been running for almost 20 years now. Since a young teenager with a little baby fat still clinging on for dear life, I have been obsessed with this simple form of cardio.
Not only have I enjoyed running every single day for two decades, but I have also been fascinated by the countless marathons and races offered around the USA. I love watching these races, and I’ve even participated in some of them too!
