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How to Sprint Faster

Courtesy of Mr Linford Christie

How to Sprint Faster
Danielle de Wolfe
21 January 2011

For many people the sprint is a lost art. Many of us find ourselves slogging away on a treadmill for hours on end (well, 20 mins max.) but we have little clue how to shift 100 metres in under 10 seconds. One man can help. His name is Linford Christie...

1. Make yourself explosive

“Power lifts, squats and upper-body work will build up shoulders. We also do a lot of plyometrics.”

2. Work on your lower legs

“Your body weight increases tenfold when you run, so you need flexible ankles and strong calves.”

3. Don’t get tense

“Relax your shoulders and your face, especially the jaw, because whatever your face shows, your body reflects. Don’t clench your fists. It’s a sign of aggression and it makes you really tight. It’s best to keep an open palm.”

4. Stay upright

“You’ll have a slight lean due to momentum, but try to keep your back straight and your knees up. The biggest secret to sprinting is to run from the hips, not the knees. And always run on the balls of your feet.”

Follow Linford on Twitter, right here.

Main image: Getty