WANT TO BE A SPRINTER Coach Ed Dear Coach Ed, Hi! I am a freshman and run XC and track. My coach tells me I will probably run longer distances in track next year but I would rather run short races, or be on the relays during track and leave the long distance for XC season. How can I get a faster 200m time? I am willing to spend all summer to get more sprinting speed or foot speed. Last year I think I was running a 27 sec. split in the 800m. relay, and coach didn't even give me a chance to be on the relay this year because I couldnt run a 40m run fast enough in practice. Can you help me out, pleeeaaasssseee??? Sincerely, Sprinter Dear Sprinter, Okay, First thing - PRACTICE STARTS.   Second thing - PRACTICE STARTS. Third thing - Do sprinting drills. You know bounding drills, fast leg repeats, that kind of stuff.  If after doing that stuff you don't reduce your time significantly, then realize you are probably a natural distance runner.  For a freshman a 27 sec. 200 is great for a distance runner. It is not a great sprinter's time.  I think your coach has your best interest in mind and is guiding you to where you will be the most competitive. In the long run (no pun intended) a distance runner with 27 second 200 meter speed is going to be a combination that will be hard to beat in high school. Good luck, Coach Ed Ed Poirier, "Coach Ed", recently was invited by the United States Olympic committee to attend a workshop and training seminar at the Olympic training center in California. Feel free to email the kid's editor at goodrow@infi.net with comments on this column.