Q&A for How to Run a 5 Minute Mile

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  • Question
    How do I stretch before I run a 5 minute mile?
    Francisco Gomez
    Fitness Coach
    Francisco Gomez is the Head Coach at the FIT Potato Gym, a training gym established in 2001 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Francisco is a former competitive runner who helps endurance athletes train for major marathons like the Boston Marathon. Francisco specializes in Injury Rehab, Flexibility, Marathon Training, and Senior Fitness. He has a B.S. in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology & Running.
    Fitness Coach
    Expert Answer
    If you have a stretching strap, attach the strap to your foot, lay on the ground, and stretch your hamstrings by pointing your toes. You can also stretch throughout the day by getting up to stretch about once every hour, taking deep breaths, and extending your legs and shoulders for 1 minute on each side.
  • Question
    What can I do to push myself on the last lap when I'm tired?
    Community Answer
    Just think to yourself that it's almost over. The faster you move, the faster you'll be done. Use mantras like "I got this" or "Kick it to the end" to motivate yourself.
  • Question
    Can young people run a five minute mile?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it is possible for young people to run that fast. All it takes is training and practice.
  • Question
    Will this training help me -- I have asthma -- to run a mile in 5 minutes?
    Community Answer
    As long as you use your inhaler when you need to, then yes. Also, you will need more mental strength and a tad more strengthening. It is a good idea to discuss this with your doctor, who can advise on coping strategies for running when asthmatic.
  • Question
    I run a 5:46 mile. Can I get it to 5 minutes flat in a year?
    Community Answer
    Yes, if you follow the training guidelines set out in the article. Getting good 400m splits (75 seconds each, on average) is key to getting a 5-minute mile.
  • Question
    IS it okay if I take 30 minutes to run three miles?
    Community Answer
    30 minutes on a three mile is an okay time. A 10 minute mile is probably about average for someone who doesn't run consistently. If you want to improve this time, run more frequently and slowly build your running speed up with each run.
  • Question
    I have trouble with the hydration. Any ideas?
    Community Answer
    You could try drinking a certain amount of water in a certain amount of time, and then you'll start to look forward to drinking water. You have to refrain from caving into other drinks and just drink water. Eventually, it will be a natural thing.
  • Question
    How can I lengthen my strides?
    Community Answer
    Work on pumping your arms to lengthen your strides. Doing hill repeats also helps strengthen calf muscles so you can stride longer.
  • Question
    I usually start out my mile fast and slow down halfway through. How can I keep a steady pace?
    Community Answer
    Take it easy and let the sprinters pass you. Jog it out and eventually you will gain speed as others begin to walk. I don't know if it's only me but when I pass someone, I gain a little more speed because I feel good that I passed someone. Also, make sure to breathe out every time your left foot hits the ground to avoid cramps.
  • Question
    I can run a mile in 6 minutes. Can I reach 5 minutes in a month?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    That would be a very fast improvement, but anything's possible if you work hard enough.
  • Question
    If I can run a 6:30 mile at 13 years old, will I be able to get to a 5 minute mile by next spring?
    Community Answer
    If you do the workouts as listed in the article, I am sure you will be able to break 6:00. Basically, cutting at least a minute of your time is the most optimistic choice at your age. Once you get into high school, you may start contemplating about 5:00, it's not as easy as it seems.
  • Question
    What kind of stretches should I do?
    Community Answer
    You could do toe touches, the butterfly stretch, stretches for your quads and hamstrings, and IT band stretches, among many other options.
  • Question
    How long does it usually take to master a 5-minute mile?
    Community Answer
    It depends on how much you're already running and how fast you can run--not every person is capable of mastering a 5-minute mile. To speed up the process, if you run a 10-minute mile now and sprint the last lap, practice taking longer strides on the second and third laps.
  • Question
    How do I become more beautiful without makeup?
    Community Answer
    You are already beautiful. With or without makeup, you are a beautiful human being. Remember that. One does not need makeup to be beautiful, anyway.
  • Question
    I can currently run a 5:35 mile. How much time do you think it should take to reach 5:00 by following these steps?
    Community Answer
    It depends how much you train. If you train daily, you should be able to achieve this within a month and a half to two months.
  • Question
    My legs (above ankle and below knee bone) get heavy pain after my 3-mile run. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    If you need you could wear compression bands for those spots. Also, make sure that you are stretching well. That may be the case. If not, talk to your Doctor about it and use compression for support.
  • Question
    How long should I run in a day?
    Community Answer
    Run two or three miles 3 - 5 times per week to keep in proper shape for the mile.
  • Question
    How fast should I run each quarter in a five minute mile?
    Community Answer
    You should run your first 3 laps at constant pace and make your last lap your fastest.
  • Question
    What is the average amount of time the entire process takes?
    Community Answer
    About a year or two. Interval training is key and will shorten the process depending on how often you do those kinds of workouts.
  • Question
    Is it possible to go from a six minute mile to a five minute mile in a year or two?
    Community Answer
    Definitely. Follow the instructions in the article and train hard, and you'll be on your way.
  • Question
    I've heard soda is bad for running but in what ways?
    Community Answer
    The long-term effects of consistently drinking sofa can raise your blood pressure and decay your teeth. Soda is very acidic, so it could cause heartburn and a gassy stomach from the carbonation.
  • Question
    If I cut 45 seconds off my mile time this year, and I now have 6:26 in 5th grade, will I be able to reach 5:10 by 8th grade?
    Community Answer
    Definitely! Just keep training and make sure you get in some good workouts.
  • Question
    Why do I have abdominal pain and rapid breath when I try to run a mile in less than 5 minutes?
    Community Answer
    You may be pushing yourself too hard. Run at a natural pace and record your mile time, then make a goal to reduce that time by 10 seconds a week until you reach your ultimate goal of running a mile in five minutes.
  • Question
    If I struggle to run an 11 minute mile, how long will it take me to get good enough for a five minute mile?
    Community Answer
    One year if you train. 3 - 6 months of base training. Then 3 months of strength, such as tempo runs and hard long runs, and 3 more months of just speed with distance. Run 12x 400 at 73 - 75 seconds, and you've got it.
  • Question
    If I run an 8-minute mile, how long will it take to get a 5-minute mile?
    Community Answer
    It will take you about a year if you work out 6 days a week (make sure to take a day off each week to recover) with intense training.
  • Question
    My arm is broken. Is it still possible to run a 5:00 minute mile.
    Community Answer
    It has been done, but it is only possible if the injury doesn't really affect your running or if a five minute mile is much below your ability. For Evan Jager, for example, who ran a 3:53, breaking 5 would probably feel like a jog, even with his arm broken.
  • Question
    I'm 13 and I run a 5.22 mile, do you think if I work over the summer I can get to 5 minutes flat?
    Community Answer
    Go for it! I'm 15 and run a 4.14 mile, so it's completely possible if you work at it.
  • Question
    I can run a mile in 6:15. Will 20 days be sufficient to come down to 5:30?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    It's certainly possible. It depends on how hard you're willing to work in those 20 days.
  • Question
    I’m in 6th grade and I run a 5:12 mile is it possible that I can run a sub 5 min mile in 7th grade
    Community Answer
    Yes, with a good training plan you can get from a school coach, shaving off 15 seconds in a year is very attainable.
  • Question
    Should I complete this training in 6 months?
    Community Answer
    It depends on your personal needs. You can go as fast or as slow as your personal needs require.
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