World Record Speed: Run Like an Olympic Gold Medalist!

Well, not quite.  BUT, if you train at this high school track you will be training at the alma mater of olympic multi-gold medalist Michael Johnson!

Located in the Pleasant Grove neighborhood of Dallas, Texas, Skyline High School (aka Skyline Center) offers a very modest 400-meter track.

Tracks are ideal spots for improving your running speed.  A very common workout for building speed is the 4x400m.  After a brief warm-up (jogging for 5-10 minutes), run your first lap of 400 meters at top speed.  You might notice that after 200 meters your energy and strength are practically gone; you might even have the urge to start walking.  If you have never done a speed workout, you might very well feel like a worthless scrub.  But do not worry, we all have to start somewhere.  Once you reach the end of your first lap, rest for about 2 minutes (or until you feel your strength return).  For your second lap, run at top speed again but be mindful of conserving enough energy to complete the lap at a consistant and strong pace.  Rest and repeat two more times.

Speed workouts like the 4x400 should generally be incorporated into your running routine after you have established a solid running base (which can generally be about six months of consistent running).