It is common to attribute speed as a characteristic that individuals are born with and this notion scares most athletes even before they start training. However, sprinting is not merely a gifted sport, but a technical one and which is enhanced by muscles, co-ordination, rhythm and body control. Once the process of sprinting is regarded as a skill, it can be improved by virtually anybody. Speed training consciousness, heightens the fact that the quality of sprinting is dependent on technique, consistency, recovery and discipline and not absolute genetics. The initial advantage might be provided by natural talent, but training generates sustained performance.

One of the biggest errors of beginners is to run with poor form. They run with tight shoulders, feeble swinging of the arms, and improper position which consumes energy and lowers the speed production. Sprinting involves coordination of the entire body: the arms move the legs, the core brings balance and the legs create a force towards the ground. Speed awareness has taught that running fast is not about trying harder but running better. As the form becomes better, the speed also goes up without the additional straining. Right form prevents damage to the joints and prevents injury.

One of the most significant stages of sprinting is acceleration. Most athletes initiate at too upright position and this pulls down on the forward movement leading to slower acceleration. Speed education has it that forward lean, strong knee drive and powerful ground pushes are needed to accelerate. This stage is concerned with gaining speed progressively in the initial few seconds, and not getting into full gear at once. When athletes learn how to accelerate, they feel with less balance loss and faster. Enhanced acceleration produces enhanced general speed outcomes.

Sprinting, which is performed at maximum speed, is not the same as acceleration. When the athlete achieves maximum speed, rhythm, relaxation and efficiency of the stride come into focus. Novices also tend to hunch during a high speed sprinting, and this makes them slow down, thus becoming fatigued at an early stage. Speed awareness provides relaxation in sprinting: slack shoulders, calm face, controlled breathing, and even movement of the arm. The legs perform faster when the body is relaxed. One of the secrets of speed is relaxation.

Strength is another attribute of speed training since sprinting is a force exercise. The quicker a sportsman runs, the more power he/she needs to push in the ground within a limited period. This is supported by strength in glutes, hamstrings, quads, calves and core. Sensitivity enlightens that gym training cannot be ignored in case one wants to be able to sprint faster. Sprinting + strength training provide superior outcomes to sprinting. Powerful muscles make powerful pushes and quicker strides.

Another pillar that most athletes do not take seriously is recovery. Sprint training is very stressful to the nervous system, that is, the body requires time to better its condition. In case sprint intervals are excessive without a break, the athlete gets slower, more fatigued and prone to injury. Knowledge is quality, not quantity: it is much better to have fewer high-quality sprint sessions than run tired every day. Performance tools and not laziness are proper sleep, hydration, and rest days.

Speed training awareness incorporates injury prevention. Rapid running exerts a lot of stress on the hamstring, calves, and hips. The majority of the sprint-related injuries occur as a result of inappropriate warm-up, bad mobility, and an abrupt high-intensity sprinting. Consciousness educates dynamic warming-ups, mobility exercises and slow speed increments. The injury prevention safeguards consistency. Consistency builds speed.

Finally, sprinting can be improved once the speed is approached as an acquisition of skills. When athletes learn technique, develop strength, recover and train, they will get better faster and more confident. There is nothing like speed that is not training awareness. When smart training is involved, speed will be considered natural.