You also dont have to worry about tripping over a pothole or avoiding cars when youre on a tread.

On a treadmill, you have no active obstacles, she says.

How to start sprint training outdoors

1.

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You want to find long straightaways, so that you might just focus on your sprint and nothing else.

She also suggests sprinting on stable groundnot rocky terrain.

have a go at avoid unpaved or rocky roadsthose are not recommended for sprints, says Samuela.

photo of ohio state’s cotie mchmahon wearing jersey number 32 and shooting a basketball

If there are rugged rocks jutting out, thats a pretty easy way to injure yourself.

You want to not go too fast, too soon, she says.

Its important to gradually increase to your max effort to the last 15 to 20 seconds.

photo of audi crooks shooting a basketball and hannah hidalgo holding a basketball in hand

This way, your body is ready to power those fast-twitch muscles again.

You dont want to land in front of your body and pull your bodyweight from behind you.

Try hill sprints:For an added sprinting outdoor challenge, try doing it on a hill.

photo of UConn basketball player Azzi Fudd holding a basketball while wearing a #35 jersey

If youre working on speed and increasing your power, Id do sprints flat.

Thatll improve your lung capacity, which will benefit your endurance in every other workout that you do.

Take it easy:Even though sprinting outside is fun (it is!

Tara Davis-Woodhall of Team United States celebrates with husband Hunter Woodhall after winning the gold medal in the Women’s Long Jump Final on day thirteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 08, 2024 in Paris, France.

), its not something you should necessarily be doing every single day.

You dont want to do speed work every day, says Takacs.

Its important that your body uses different energy systems throughout the week.

coach kara lawson from duke university

And this ishow to avoid running injuries, especially if youre running outdoors.

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photo of juju watkins holding a basketball while wearing a usc jersey with the number 12