Runners always try to run the shortest distance possible, sticking close to the corners, or the inside lane on a course. But this is probably one time where practicing in the same way you would run in a race might not be the best idea.

If you practice on the outside lanes, or at least just not right next to the edge, you get more running practice in for the same amount of time. This is the sort of stuff that adds up over years of training.

When I used to play water polo, a friend had a thing where he would always do an extra 25% of the distance we had just swum, right after we had swum it.

The principle is the same. Go the extra mile in training, make sure you’re pushing yourself just that little bit more, and be extra serious about training, and you’ll find the results add up.