What will I get from improving my time on the mile run?

Question

I run a mile in about 5 mins and 30 seconds which is not bad but I have this ego problem where I have to make 5 mins. I just formed this problem today. But I'm training for Jujitsu ,Thai Boxing and future MMA possibly...So I stopped to think will improving my time on the mile run really help me with these goals or should I focus on other stuff. Like running farther or running much shorter distance much faster(sprints)

Answer 1

For mma its very important to be in good shape as far as running goes

A 5 min mile is good but make sure you can go long distances as well

Answer 2

The mile is far too long to be focusing on.

A fast mile requires a good deal of speed and a large amount of endurance which at first glance appears to be a good match with martial arts.

A closer look will show you that martial art training and competition requires explosive power and fast active recovery. You would be much better served by running a series of sprints and rests. These are called "intervals". The interval is the rest period between efforts and surprisingly it is the length of rest and type of rest that you take between efforts that provides the cardiovascular benefits.

With this in mind, go to a track or relatively flat measured course and run a series of 80% effort, 100 yard wind sprints. Between each wind sprint jog 50-100 meters. Do not stop. Do not walk. Do not jog so slowly that you are actually walking with a bounce. This is the "interval". - the rest period.

This is "active resting" and is the key to this kind of exercise.

Experiment with the distance of sprint up to 200 meters - about (25-30 seconds) and duration of rest period (keep it short and active).

These workouts are very difficult but they will train your cardiovascular system to recover and THAT is what you want.

Be sure to run at a comfortable pace for 10-15 minutes before and after your interval workout. This will warm your body up and cool it down.

If you are interested in changing sports and trying to train for a fast 5K, by all means improve your mile time. Anything under a 5:00 mile will set you up for a sub 17 minute 5K - a nice achievement.

Addition: If you are excited about doing longer runs, lowering your mile time and want to maintain your stamina for martial arts by all means add some tempo runs (3-5 miles @ 45-75 seconds per mile slower than your mile time) and some longer intervals (400/800).

If you are more serious about your martial arts (this is the martial arts section) emphasize shorter workouts with alternating periods of explosive work and active rest.

Answer 3

run that mile faster and you will improve on quick bursts such as take downs.  run a longer distance and improve your lasting power such as fighting at your peak for all 3 to 5 rounds.  look at BJ Penn in his early years.  he always finished his fights fast.  look at his fighting now that he focuses on cardio.  the man is an animal!!!

Answer 4

For intervals sprints are great, but I recommend quarters.

If you do sprints one day and quarters the next that is the best way to increase speed and improve you cardio conditioning.  If you could do this at altitude that would be even better.  All performance athletes are going to the altitude tents at night and altitude training tents to get the most out of training.