How can you improve your acceleration when running?

Question

when running the 100m

Answer 1

...

It's tough to see this even when it's in slo-mo . . . but watch the Olympians race the 100 if you can, tape the event, and study it.

You'll notice that out of the blocks nearly everyone comes out at the same speed, but at 40 or 50 meters, the best of the best accelerate.

What's happening is that they are "relaxing."  Yes, they are running hard, with all their might.  But paradoxically, they are also working at keeping all of their muscles loose and relaxed, fully functioning, not tightened up.

Given there are Carl Lewis's and Ben Johnson's in the world, who by God's gifts or by better training through chemistry they are way out in front of other sprinters.

But for the most part, the ones who relax the most in the second part of the race are the ones who accelerate the most, and the ones who win.

Now, all you need is a coach who can teach you how to relax while sprinting!

Regards,

Running_Dad

Answer 2

you have to maintain an aerobic pace otherwise all the exercise you do doesn't help you.

Answer 3

It depends on what type of acceleration and when. Is it during a race, and if so, which race?

A way to improve your acceleration is to practice negative splits during interval training.

If you are running repeat 400s, then go out at a pace so that you can run the second 200, or the last 100 much faster than the first part of the interval.

If you are running distance training you can practice spurts of speed during the run. You will have to surge for different distances at set intervals, then return to the run speed to recover.