Summer and fall training months are a good time to work on staying relaxed while running fast. Whether running your short accels, max velocity sprints in the 40-60m area or longer sprints, learning how to "let" the speed out rather than "force" the speed out is worth practicing. Make no mistake, you want to apply as much force as possible -- especially in starts -- but you need to do it smoothly.
You work and work to increase the strength you can apply in sprints, jumps and hurdles, but if you try to use too much of it, you jeopardize your performance. Maintaining good posture and technique while avoiding too much tension -- all while moving very fast -- is key. The fastest typically don't look like they're trying very hard.
We see this in our fly sprints. Many times, our fastest reps are not in the first couple when we may be trying our hardest. Sometimes, they are later reps when we're more tired -- but more relaxed because we're no longer trying as hard (too tired). We've seen it in meets, too. Sometimes it shows up when an athlete races well when ill, or running an event they don't typically run. In both cases, they may be more relaxed because they may not be as trying as hard as they do when feeling well or running their primary event. Figure out how to tap into that relaxation in practice and then apply it in races.
Practice running with rhythm and relaxation -- letting the speed come out. Don't push for what isn't there. Just go as fast as you can without forcing it. Think about running your reps at 90-95% -- just taking that little bit off so you can relax a bit. The longer the rep -- or race -- the more important this becomes. You'll also enjoy your practices more and get better results in your races.
