The 8-Minute Mile Standard

Every human should be able to run a mile in 8 minutes with proper form.

If you can’t run an 8-minute mile, there’s a good chance you’re not able to open up your stride, quicken your cadence, or don’t have adequate muscle conditioning for the length of your run. 

This is a sweet spot for beginner to intermediate runners to improve their running form and speed.

To run stronger and faster, address the following three major inefficiencies before speed training and taking on the miles. 

There are two possible issues if you are unable to open up your stride:

1. your mobility, or
2. the way you land and carry over to the next stride.

If mobility is the issue, look at obvious problem areas. Are your hip flexors tight? Can you dorsiflex your ankle properly without discomfort? A few weeks of mobility drills for problem areas should increase your stride length. 

If your mobility is okay, assess the landing and carry over phase of your running.

1. Upon landing on the mid-to-fore foot you should :

• focus first on pushing back and off of the foot,
• then transitioning into quickly extending the leg behind, and
• lastly pulling the heel back towards the butt,
• then forward to carry in to the next step and
• complete the motion.

1. By maximizing not only the push, but also the extension and pull of the leg, you will maximize the power and length of your stride.
2. This will also help you keep proper muscle engagement throughout the run.

1. A common problem with beginning runners is they simply are not turning over their feet quick enough.
2. Efficient running occurs at 180 steps per minute. It is common for beginners to run with a cadence of 140 to 160 steps per minute.
3. At these low cadences, you are either :

• spending too much time on your landing, adding unnecessary height to each step, or
• your muscles are not properly engaged. 

1. While running, the muscles of the posterior chain and core should be engaged throughout the stride.
2. When many runners learn the push, extend, and pull method of the landing, they often become sore in the hamstring and gluteal muscles because they are not used to this muscle engagement during a run.
3. The same goes for sore calves and ankles when they learn the proper way to foot strike. This is why changing running technique should be done gradually. 
4. If conditioning is an issue, a combination of concentric and eccentric leg exercises will help add muscular strength, stability, and control.

Exercises to create a stronger runner include:

1. calf raises,
2. reverse lunges, and
3. barbell hip thrusts.

Plyometric exercises like box jumps or jumping lunges are also fantastic for conditioning and develop explosive power.

When working on plyometric exercises, it is important to not rush through them.

Every rep should have maximum explosiveness and muscular contraction.

Do not do plyometrics to muscle failure.

Working on sprints will increase your VO² max, conditioning, explosiveness, mental fortitude, and lean body mass.

Beginners should start with shorter distance sprints, anywhere from 50-200 yards. Once you are better conditioned, incorporate longer distances like quarter-mile sprints.

The final progression would be half-mile and mile interval sprints; however, these are reserved for more advanced runners. Sprints should be treated like plyometric exercises. Recover fully between sprint sets and every sprint should be a maximum effort with excellent form. 

Once you have built a decent base through strength development and speed work, you can start to expand the mileage. Increase your mileage as long as it falls around the 8 minute per mile rule.

Train running anywhere from 2 to 6 days per week, but

• for every distance-running workout, do one workout focusing on inefficiencies and speed work for beginning and intermediate level runners.

The 8-minute mile rule is a fantastic way to work on weak spots and create efficient running form, all while progressing quickly and safely. 

Figure out which part of your running form is lagging and work specifically on that issue.

Then work on speed while slowly increasing the mileage within an 8 minute per mile time frame. 

Eg, if you can run 2 miles in 18 minutes, look for limiting factors, work on speed, and wait to move on to 3 miles until you can run 2 miles in 16 minutes.

However, if you can’t maintain the same form from mile 1 throughout your run, then there is no reason to increase mileage, and it is in your best interest to improve technique at your current mileage.

If you want to run to improve your health, then learn how run the right way or you’re far better off walking.

• If you have had any joint pain, shin splints, foot pain, tendon pain, or complete stagnations in your running within the past 6 months, check your form and speed.
• Even as a recreational runner, I still check in with my coach each month for a review and an outsider’s perspective because I’d rather have perfect running form now, than play shoulda-woulda-coulda sitting in an orthopedic surgeon’s office when I am 60.