Practice sprinting drills and exercises such as box jumps, high knees, hill sprints, and various core exercises to help you build up your strength to start running faster. Adding some form of strength training on your off-days can also help to strengthen your entire body.
Runners can drink sports drinks and caffeinated beverages to run faster. Sports drinks can enhance running performance, as they provide water, electrolytes, and carbohydrates to boost performance and aid in recovery [1].
During a run longer than 1 hour, drink water at regular intervals. This varies according to your sweat rate. Those who sweat more profusely may need 16 ounces every 15 minutes. You'll also want to consume some carbohydrates and electrolytes along with drinking water.
Keep fat content moderate to avoid intestinal discomfort during the race. Examples of pre-race fuel sources include cheese toast, peanut butter or almond butter toast (or a peanut butter sandwich), half or whole bagel topped with avocado, fresh fruit with Greek yogurt or a nutrition bar such as a KIND protein bar.
Try not to eat anything that'll make you feel bloated or full. If you need a little something-something, try a light pre-run snack like a banana—and eat it at least 30 minutes before you line up.
In general, it's recommended to eat before running. This gives your body the fuel it needs to exercise safely and efficiently. If you prefer to run on an empty stomach, stick to light to moderate running. Take a break if you start to feel lightheaded.
Energy Drinks
If you are planning to go for a long run, avoid the consumption of energy drinks. Most energy drinks are loaded with sugars and some even contain caffeine, which can create an urgency to urinate. Excessive caffeine consumption also causes the heart rate to pump up and augments the runner's stress levels.
The best way to breathe while running is to inhale and exhale using both your nose and mouth combined. Breathing through both the mouth and the nose will keep your breathing steady and engage your diaphragm for maximum oxygen intake. It also allows you to expel carbon dioxide quickly.
Researchers tested the effects of Red Bull on the performance of recreational runners and found those that consumed the energy drink an hour before running reduced the time it took to complete a 5km run. While there are many forms of exercise, one of the most popular and cost-effective methods is running.
As a very general rule, some running experts recommend a light meal about one and a half to two hours before you start running, or a small snack 30 minutes to an hour before running. It's best to experiment during training runs and workouts to see what works for you.
Bananas, berries, cherries (especially tart cherries), and oranges are good fruits for runners to eat. The potassium in bananas can help with electrolyte replenishment, while also providing easily digestible and quick carbs before and after exercise [1, 2].
Eggs are good for runners, as they can serve as a healthy protein source. One large egg contains 6 g of high quality protein, and is also a rich source of leucine (an essential amino acid that is used in the biosynthesis of proteins).
But is it OK to run every day? The simple answer is: No, you need at least one rest day a week to allow your muscles to recover. Plus, overtraining can lead to overuse injuries, stress and prolonged fatigue.
A long run results in a build-up of lactic acid and other waste products in your muscles and tissues, which causes weakness and fatigue. 1 It takes time for your body to eliminate the waste products and repair the muscle fibers. If your hard workouts are too close together, you aren't allowing time for this recovery.
Landing on the balls of the feet is considered effective. But landing on the toes may cause injury if you're a distance runner. Although it's effective for sprinting and short bursts of speed, landing too far forward on your toes isn't recommended for longer distances. It could lead to shin splints or other injuries.
Energy food before running a fast race
A handful of cereal. A banana with peanut butter and honey. A cereal bar. A single slice of toast with jam.