Quote:
Originally posted by Lunchbox7
To build up stregnth you have to train for explosive power. Hilbert25's gave some really good advice. But mix in downhill sprints too. That will not only promote better co-ordination at high speeds without the strength requirements to such a degree, but it will also help you to improve your flexibility whilst running. The longer your stride, the faster you will go with the least energy expended. I think the olympic sprinters do the 100m in 18 strides. Stregnth will help improving stride length but so will technique. Concentrate on lifting you knee as you bring it through.
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Knee lift is great, it's what all sprinters work towards, but you have to be careful you are not overstriding. Work on raising your knees, but do not try to reach out with your legs any more, especially while going down hill. Overstriding just leads to injuries. Thus the key to a longer stride would be to not consciously make your stride longer, but rather try to strengthen your legs for the takeoff, and make them more flexible for the kneelift. When your legs get stronger and more flexible, your stride will be naturally longer.
Other things to try would be bounding drills (though I can't say the validity of these particular ones, they are a start):
http://www.tflinks.com/articles/a001_010/a00002_1.shtml