Q&A for How to Sprint 100 Meters

I think one of the most important things is increasing your weekly mileage and working on your endurance. If you don't, you're more prone to injury. You can't improve as a runner if you're injured.

There are many training practices you can do. As explained in the article, biking and swimming are very good because they build your leg muscles, those you use to run. Jogging daily can help as well. Running up and down stairs definitely helps build up your quads. While you are in the race, keep your toes pointed up and throw your hands backwards when you run.

Breathe very quickly before the race for about 30 seconds. The more you do this, the better your breathing should become.

Practice your start and the ending lunge. They might not have the technique down. You can probably shave off a few seconds just by getting a perfect start and a perfect finish.

While some running ability is talent, most of it is hard work. This means practicing a great deal before a sprint, in order to improve your method, your timing and your times. If you don't practice, you'll be all talent but no grit, determination and honed skills. It is also useful to get a coach or use an electronic app as a coach, on a wristband device, etc. Back to the athletics field outside of races for you!

Keep your hands in loose fists, neither clenched nor flopping around. Your arms should swing to counterbalance your lower body - this will happen naturally if you relax while you run. While sprinting, think about driving your elbow backward on each arm swing to give you extra momentum. Make sure your arms are mostly moving backward and forward, instead of left and right, so your hands never cross the center of your torso. This allows more of your energy to go into moving you forward instead of side-to-side.

Make sure you get a good breathing rhythm. Count to yourself or sing to yourself. Any thing that works for you is okay.

This is difficult, but not impossible. You're going to have to work and work hard. Sprint up a hill, focusing on your form, arms not crossing your torso. Also, practice hitting the ground with your toes and kicking and catapulting off your toes. Run up this hill for 200m, eight times and take about three minutes or rest in between. Just do light warm-ups on the day before your race. Don't over exert and be sure to stretch.

You just need to place your feet in the appropriate stance. See the directions above. The stance is the same, you just won't have blocks to support you.

Practice and follow the above directions. Really,t he only thing you can do is practice and practice some more.

It means to jump forward.

Just keep practicing and work on getting faster. Time every sprint and challenge yourself to shave a little off your time every day.

Keep practicing the 100m, as well as longer distances to build up endurance. Try running 200m to make the 100m easier. If you are losing in a race, don't panic, just concentrate on moving faster.

You shouldn't really be thinking about your breathing when sprinting the 100, but more about pushing it. Just look into the horizon and sprint your hardest. Your body will know when to breathe.

You can train on your own, simply by running from one side of a field to the other while timing it.

Everything mentioned above, but don't allow them to over-exert themselves. Monitor them closely. People can get hurt doing the 100m, so watch them. Also, talk to a coach at your child's school, they might be able to help.

Start with either leg.

You should eat high calorie carbs.Don't work out right out before a race, as it will tire you out. You want to make sure to stretch your muscles before and after a race. Maybe jump around, to loosen up your muscles. Also, when breathing, you want to breathe in through your nose and out your mouth, deeply, so that the air is getting to your lungs. Don't drink too much water before a race either, as you'll feel uncomfortably full.

Ideally, your hands should be pumping from your chin to your pockets, fingers extended. Your arms should also always stay at a 90 degree angle. It makes your body more aerodynamic, and can shave off a few milliseconds. Plus, with the chin to pockets form, it will encourage your body to take longer strides and have a faster turnover.

Work on your cardio and try to lose weight. The more you work on your cardio, the better.

When sprinting the 100, never use fists. That ends up tightening all your muscles. Your hands should be as if you are about to shake hands with someone -- not stiff, but not limp either. Your fingers should not be squeezing against each other, but somewhat relaxed. When actually sprinting, make sure never to cut your arms across your body, but keep them parallel to your sides.

Cut out sugar and salt. Practice almost every day. Try to keep in shape as much a possible. Eat something light about an hour before the race.

Yes. It will help you lose weight, though.

Start with your stronger foot behind you so that you can propel yourself forward faster.

Since it's in a few days, you shouldn't be that stressed. Go to the track and get your time. 15 - 17 seconds for a first time 100 meter runner should be good. The day before the race, sleep well. Have a good dinner, and try not to eat dessert. Relax, and don't feel anxious. Eat a good breakfast the next morning, and try to have orange juice or cranberry juice with it. Stretch well before the race.

Very likely.

Faster in the 100m, because you want quick fast strides to activate those twitch muscle fibers. Longer strides are better for running longer distances where you don't have to run as fast.

It's OK to breathe during a 100 m race. If your coach tells you not to breathe, try it and see if that works for you. You may run better if you breathe a few times.

The best solution for this is to time yourself as best you can, and then deduct a second or two from your final time to account for any mistakes. Then work to improve your time. It may not be perfect but it should give you a close idea of your time.

In a 100 m race, you'll do better if you breathe a few times.