Is it possible to drop my mile time by 15 seconds in 10 days?

Question

I've got a track meet coming up in 10 days. My fastest mile time is 6:14, run at a local meet when I was competing against no one (apparently, the thought of running a whole MILE scares everyone off.). I'm at the bottom of my age group-everyone else is about 1-2 years older than me. I really want to win, though, because the winners get to go on a free trip so they can compete!

I'm looking at the results of the national competition. The 8th place person in the mile has a time of 6:00, while the first place person has a time of 5:00. I'm doing the state meet. They compare state results with 7 other states to see what people are the top 2 that they'll send.

How can I get my mile time down to below 6 minutes?

Also, I need help on the 800. I got lucky-at district I was the only girl runner. At state, I'm sure there will be more people. How can I run this?

I'm also doing long jump, and the results look promising. My farthest jump is about 7 ft.

I'd appreciate advice on any of these.

Answer 1

yes excersise and train daily on cardio and its possible to decrease it that much

Answer 2

I think that the others gave you some good advice.   It will be a challenge to take off 15 seconds, but if you were not pressed at the local meet, it is possible.   The long jump, however, is not good at all if it is running long jump, not standing.   Do you really mean 7 feet?    High school girls jump 13 to 16 and sometimes 17 feet.   You did not say how old you are.   You will really have to work on technique for this event.

Answer 3

Wonder why your so tired on that last lap? your trying to burn out on it think about it you start your 1st lap like half a sprint then you slow down to a medium jog, want to lose alot of time get a friend to go with you and yall run with each other. you'll feel more relaxed if your calm :P also when you start feeling like your tired go a little faster but BREATH calmer one of the reasons you cant be the best is you body is not ready to be, also runnig is a mind sport if you run with pride knowin you lov the sport you'll be your best.

If you need anything else please contact me at [e-mail] i promise ill get back to you and also i promise i will make you lose that time ;)

Answer 4

Our track season ended in May, but I remember having to do exactly what you are trying to do: break 6 minutes for a mile. I ran the 1600, 3200, and 4x800 relay in my Track Team. I was the youngest in all my events, by 1 or 2 years at least. so yeah, here's what to do on that mile:

Usually, on a 400 meter track, you run 4 laps, right? Well my coach said go at a moderately fast speed around the first 200, then slow it down and settle in to a pace you can keep for the next 2 laps. If you have someone running at about the same pace as you, you might want to draft on the long straight stretches of track.

Pass on the curves, and know your limits. Keep a pace, and be able to sense what that pace feels like. This takes practice.

Continue in the 2nd and 3rd laps, "climbing up the ladder" of runners in front of you that are in reach. This gives you a goal.

On your final lap, pick it up. You only have one lap to go.....so run like it. Once you hit that last 200 meters, pretty much sling yourself around that curve and move into a sprint.

Most importantly: DON'T STOP UNTIL YOU ARE PAST THE FINISH LINE

I have out sprinted too many girls because they stopped or slowed down RIGHT before the line.

I now run a 5.58 mile in track, and hope to be down in the 5.20's next season.

Also, do the math. If you want to run a 5.59, then you need around a 1.40-400 meter lap. The last lap needs to be something like 1.30 or 1.35....so train accordingly. If you have a track at school, run at what you think the 1.40-400meter pace feels like. time yourself, and keep doing it until you are able to feel what pace you are on.

Good luck. Focus on the race, be a smart runner. I know, the 4 laps is long, but they're four laps that give you the chance to pass the other runners out there.

Answer 5

I don't think you will be able to get much fitter in 10 days but you can use efficient tactics to get your goal time. You should keep doing your workouts and keeping fit and then go for an easy jog 2 days before your race with 4 100m strides or sprints. Rest the day before so you are fresher on the day, you may say thats a waste because I could use this day for a workout but trust me when I say it helps. On the day go for even pacing in the race, I have used this tactic countless times and it always produces a fast time. in the mile try doing the 4 laps in 90, 90, 90, 89 but still sprint in the last 200. These laps will add up to a 5:59 mile.. Good luck and tell me how you do if you can!

Answer 6

for the mile i would get up every day and go for a run and go at your normal pace. then you should speed up every 5 mintutes. if you feel tired don't stop because you're training your body to stop every time you get tired or hurt. i'm not saying you should injure yourself but don't tell your body to stop at the first sign that you feel tired or you have a c**p just keep speeding up every 5 minutes or so and then you'll see how much faster you've gotten.

Answer 7

yes, if you work hard enough and pace yourself. i dropped my mile time by 35 seconds in 6 days. work hard and it will happen. i hope you make it!