So often we set limits for ourselves. We think we can only run up to a certain speed limit. We struggle to trust the body to run as fast and consistently as we might be able to. Sometimes, we don’t even accurately know our own limits.

So much of running fast comes from our confidence and mental capacities, as much as our physical limits.

So with that, here are some of the best ways to run faster, without even feeling like you’re working harder.

1. HIGHER TURNOVER

One of the best things you can do as a runner is train your body to turn the legs over faster. If you can up your cadence without actually running harder, or even that much faster, you will become a smoother, injury resilient runner.

The less time your body hangs in the air, the less the weight of the force will be when you land with each step. So if you’re constantly feeling your body in pain after runs, try upping your turnover.

From a mindset perspective, train your body to run faster rather than harder when you’re in those hard workouts. Don’t push the pace with energy that comes from your lungs and entire body. Instead, let your legs do the work.

2. VISUALIZATION

Another helpful trick that you can tap into is in using visual imagery.

Sometimes I think of clips I’ve seen of college or professional track runners sprinting around a track and their incredible leg turnover. Even with just that image in my head, even though I know it’s not me, I’m able to channel a lot of that same form and speed.

If I’m not running alongside a partner, I’ll also sometimes visualize the thought of running alongside someone else. I’ll imagine that I’m racing to the finish line of a race, or even relive memories of times where I had to do exactly that.

Visualization is a great technique to use in both training and races to stay present and run faster. I’ve used it a lot in races to continue pushing past pain or fast paces, imagining what it would be like sprinting to the finish line and accomplishing a goal of mine.

3. RUN WITH OTHERS

The fastest I’ve ever been in my life was in university cross country when I was constantly running alongside other people. Especially, other people that were faster than me.

These days, I don’t run enough with other people. But I think it would really help to take some of my workouts to another level.

You can always run faster with someone else pushing you every step of the way, especially if you’re trying to chase them down.

So get out there with a friend or find a training partner that can challenge you to run faster paces! Your speed will thank you.

4. STRIDES, STRENGTH & CARBS

Finally, if you want to check all the boxes, make sure to look after all the angles that go into high-performance.

Nothing will give you more bang for your buck than strides, which can be done before hard workouts as a precursor to your intervals, or at the end of any run.

Strides work on top-end speed without costing much of anything to your body, since they’re over with before your body really feels the impact of the intensity.

Strength work will also go a long way to developing your speed, and tangentially related things like fatigue resistance and power. One or two strength workouts a week is often enough, and you don’t need to do anything that’s going to make you excessively sore the next day. You can continue to prioritize feeling good on your runs while fitting in the necessary strength and mobility work.

Also don’t forget to fuel your workouts with all the carbs you can. This is one thing that so many runnes still neglect. They think that just because it’ll be over and done with in 60-90 minutes that they don’t need to fuel their bodies during the workout.

But for hard workouts especially, you should be doing race-day fuelling, and giving yourself the chance to practice what it feels like to take in fuel while running faster paces. This will not only to help you run better across the course of your entire workout, but allow you to recover faster too.

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So there it is! My top tips to run your workouts faster. Be sure to share your top secret tips below and consider subscribing to receive posts like this directly to your inbox. Thanks for reading and see you soon!