how do I improve my 1.5 mile running time especially when I am a beginner?
492843
Try track workouts or telephone poles.\n\nSplit the distance into chunks and alternate 60% max speed, 75%, 100%, 60%, 75%, 100%.\n\nTry ending the workout with a walk of the same distance.\nYou can also lift weights to increase your sprinting strength.
955114
I would recommend interval running.  Start out at a pace you can comfortably maintain for, say, five minutes and then run as hard as you can for one minute, then carry on at your comfortable pace for 5, then beast it again for 1 minute etc etc...aim to do this every other run.  Your 'other' run should concentrate on endurance so run a set distance at a steady pace and watch your times reduce....hope this makes sense...it's hard to explain in type
745078
Well if you're running 4 miles in 33 minutes that means that you're averaging around 8:15 per mile....which would also be the average per mile if you run 13 miles in 105 minutes.\nMy advice would be to 'up' the mileage in your runs each week.\nSo next week,say you run 5 times a week...M-W-F do your 4 mile run...and T-Th do 5 miles.Then the next week,M-W-F do the 5 mile run,and T-Th 'up' it to 6 miles...and so on for each week that follows.That way you're building yourself up.So once you find yourself doing the 13 miler in 105 min....your 4 milers should be a breeze,and you should be able to quicken your pace as well.\nHope this helps somewhat.God Bless!
22143
Whoa! Slow down, there. It'd be awesome if you trained that much, but you've got to do some cross-training (some weights, some biking, some swimming) or you could get stress fractures from all that running. And you've got to gradually increase the distance you run. It's no good if you suddenly ramp up to 15k a day.\n\nIf you train consistently, though, and don't run into any problems (no pun intended), you might cut your time by 4 or 5 minutes. It's really hard to say, though.
996450
To improve my mile and a half time, I started adding in a strong sprint for part of the run.  This then helps you to also pick up your overall pace as well- if you run a flat 8 miles an hour the whole way through, it seems like you are going pretty fast, but if you do a sprint at 10.5 miles an hour for 3-5 minutes, and then slow to 9 miles an hour, the 9 doesnt feel so bad any more.  I got my mile and a half down to under 8 minutes using that method- not great, but nothing to be embarrased of, either.
749604
to run farther and faster you first of all must stretch alot. THis will help you exponential to lengthen your stride. Stretch 3 times a day if possible. Also do a 6 day a week running program in which you do every other day of legnth and then speed. on endurance days you will do 3-6 (beginner) or 5-10 miles (advanced) at a nice easy pace. Do these days after a speed day. These are the days you are actually building the muscles and strength so dont cheat yourself here. On speed days do 800 meters and mile intervals. THese are the best speed workouts beucase they take endurance as well and speed. Do about 4 mile intervals as fast as possible taking a good break inbetween and 8 800 meters also fast with a good break. This is the formula to sucess!
132121
well you should first pay alot of attention to your form, some pointers; run on the balls of your feet, not the heals, the whole way in the 400 ( i never ran the 800 so i cant give you advise there)if you cant do that you nee to work at it. you want your knees high ad arms pumping close to your side( the faster your arms can go the faster your legs can go) you want to barely touch when you run  this will help you decrease friction and keep your legs moving faster. keep your back straight and head up. next you want to focus on training you are a middle distance sprinter so it doesnt make sense to train like a marathoner or cross country runner, sprinters and distance runners physiologicaly utilize different energy systems int the body, (fast gycloysis vs oxidative phosphorilation) so train for the event doing sprints of the time you want to complete the event typicaly for your age maybe 50- 60 seconds and rest for 2-3 minutes ( rest meens light jog or walk never stop bad for your body) and do repititions and sets at these intervals. also some weight training will help you gain speed but at your age you should keep the weight at a comfortable level 12-15 reps 1-2 sets. next eat right ket a well balance of nutrients, carbs, protein and fat, dont skip meals. and get plenty of rest and sleep at night good luck! and talk to your doctor and coach about before you do any of these recomendations
343277
I am on a track team, here is what I advise you to do. I don't know what kind of build you have, height, etc, so this is perhaps a generalization. I would for starters, try building strength in your legs. Do what are called Stassi Squats, which is keeping your feet spread and parallel, bending down at a 90 degree angle, and with your back as straight as you can make it. Hold this for a minute. Repeat 4 more times. You should also try 20x100 meters as hard as you can. By the way, 52 is a good time, a very good time. You should strive for better, always, but on the way be proud of yourself for being able to run that. I'm a distance runner and I wish I could do that.
955396
i'm a cross country runner and trust me, your problem is common: \n\n1: pace yourself. cross country (long distant running) is all about pace and breathing. you can't sprint the first lap and then expect yourself to run the whole thing at that pace!!! that's crazy! you need to set a pace that's pretty teady. \n\n2. start out smaller. before running the mile perfect, try running the half mile without stopping. then 3 laps...you have to build up to something. it took me 2 months to build up to 18 laps around the track, but i did it and now 18 is sooo easy for me. ((25...now thats getting harder)). \n\n3. eating? they're actually not that relatede except for keep to healthy foods. before the day you run, eat lots of carbs. carbohydrates really help when running. try not to eat sweets or caffine the day you want to go running. they might seem like they'll boost energy, when in reality they help you slow down and breathe harder and harder. \n\n4: other than that, you've got to tell yourself your not gonna die! people stop running for no reason. what's the worst that can happen, actually getting a good time??!!! nothing can happen so relax and run harder. \n\nhave fun and be positive.
160972
If you want to break 2 hours, in case you haven't done the math, that means that you have to average right about 9 minutes per mile (5:35 per kilometer). \n\nYou need to practice running increasingly longer distances at that pace. Start with 3-4-5 miles (5-8K), whatever feels comfortable, and try to add a mile to that every two to three weeks.\n\nYou need to get used to being on your feet moving for two hours. Every other week or so, go for a longer run. Start at an hour or so and every week time you do it, try to add 5-10 minutes.\n\nIt helps to do some speed work. If you increase your fastest speed, then your "cruising speed" will be less of an effort to maintain. Run workouts where you run a mile (1600m) in around 8 minutes, jog or walk for 5-8 minutes, then do it again. Start with 2-3 repetitions, as you get stronger, increase the number of repetitions. You can do the same things with 800, 1K, 2K, 3K.\n\nGet your hands on one of Jeff Galloway's books. He has a very sane approach to running. You may bea able find one or more of them at your local library. Look at his marathon training programs.\n\nFind a local running club. They either have a program to help you, or can point you to some place that does. It's also easier if you have someone to run with.\n\nIgnore about 90% of what you read here.
203677
Start slow! That is the first thing. Condition your muscles to get used to this activity you are about to start. Get out and ride, get on a bike! Start slow, maybe you can only do a couple miles, maybe you can do 15. Don't sprint your practices, this is a distance race, you won't sprint until the end.\n\nAlso, do some hill workouts on days you feel good for it. They are intense, and will help you a lot in the races to more efficiently use energy that you have for that final sprint if needed.\n\n-Tom
1119367
If you want to lower your time by 3 minutes, you must run longer distances before you run the 2 miles.  Run 4 miles at a good pace. Then 3 at a quicker.  The body will adjust accordingly. If you then practice a 2 mile pace, continue to run at a quicker pace before hand.  This way the body is better fit for the race.  Attempt to increase in your heart rate before running so the body is already going.  I recommend jumping jacks because its less stress than runningan extra lap.
77635
3 miles\n\nToo many people have been turned off of running simply by trying to start off too fast. Their bodies rebel, and they wind up miserable, wondering why anyone would possibly want to do this to themselves.\n\nYou should ease into your running program gradually. In fact, the beginners' program we outline here is less of a running regimen than a walking and jogging program. The idea is to transform you from couch potato to runner, getting you running three miles (or 5K) on a regular basis in just two months.\n\nIt's easy to get impatient, and you may feel tempted to skip ahead in the program, but hold yourself back. Don't try to do more, even if you feel you can. If, on the other hand, you find the program too strenuous, just stretch it out. Don't feel pressured to continue faster than you're able. Repeat weeks if needed and move ahead only when you feel you're ready.
699996
Well ... if you've been running for 6 months now, you probably know that there is no "average" pace for different types of runners. Personally I would be very unhappy with anything over 30 minutes, but I know some people who run frequently and would still be pleased to come in under 40.\n\nSo here's how to set your goal. First you have to figure out with some degree of accuracy what sort of shape you are in. While I suppose you could just go out and run your 5 miles hard, look at that time, and try to improve .... but it's hardly the only way to do so. You may know your mile time, or you may not but it's easy to find (eg. stopwatch+track). So if you now know how fast you can run a mile, running 5 miles can be roughly predicted from that time. If your mile is 6:00 minutes, expect around 6:50 pace for the 5. If you run a 7:00 miles, 8:00 would be about it. If you ran an 8 minute mile, expect around 9:10. Clearly there is room above, below, and between those times, so feel free to check out the link at the bottom.\n\nThen comes the fun part. Be honest with yourself here, or you'll find your goals are extremely disproportionate to what you can/can't do. Are you a sprinter? Are you truly a marathoner at heart? Is 5 miles the *perfect* distance for you? Or could the mile have been your true event, so the predicted time is far too fast? If you are better at the really short events, you can expect to see your 5 mile time drop of considerably .... many 200m runners would have loads of trouble in a 5mi race. Milers will see their times drop off considerably as well (a few seconds more than the given amount). For people who are best suited to a 5mi run, those estimates might be a bit too conservative. etc etc etc ...\n\n*note* I'm referring to what distance your body is most suited to running, not what you enjoy running most.\n\nThen, you have your immediate goal for what you can run at this very moment. If you're looking for a goal as you move forward with your training, it all comes down to how aggressive you want to be. Take some time off, and work away!\n\nGood luck mate, here's to good times!
516077
To improve ability, vary workouts.  Make sure besides sprinting you do distance or vice versa.  Furthermore, get in weight training and some stairs or hills runs as well for stamina and strength.  \n\nThe day of the meet, make sure you eat breakfast but not too close to your running time.  Jog around and strech it out so you are ready to go (loose muscles).  Good luck.
43115
You need to work on your endurance. Go for a daily jog and slowly step up your distance. Strat with a mile and every two to three weeks add another mile. Try some insoles, I recommend Superfeet, you can find them at a hiking/outdoor store.
326252
How many miles is this over?\nI can run quicker times but then my run is probably less distance overall than you.\nHave a look at some running sites, there are plenty around with messages boards that will give you support and advice, unlike this lot who will mock you and tell you they can run faster than you!\nKeep up the good work and cool running!