diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 0f6a725..c7e7fa7 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ playback (multi-channel: rot/pos/scl), multi-target look-at constraints
 and a per-channel conflict guard that allows animation and procedural
 layers to coexist on the same bones.
 
-**Version:** 0.4.3
+**Version:** 0.4.4
 **Lib-ID:** lib-core.puppet
 **Requires:** (none — pure Lua + engine.render.* + engine.asset.*)
 **Tags:** animation, skeleton, puppet, character
@@ -75,11 +75,14 @@ callback. Per-channel conflict guard: raises if the written channel is also
 written by a keyframe in any active animation on that bone's track. Allows
 procedural to write `rot` while an animation writes `scl` on the same bone.
 
-### `puppet.play(handle, anim_id, {loop?, speed?})`, `puppet.stop(handle, anim_id)`, `puppet.stop_all(handle)`, `puppet.is_playing(handle, anim_id)`
+### `puppet.play(handle, anim_id, {loop?, speed?})`, `puppet.stop(handle, anim_id)`, `puppet.stop_all(handle)`, `puppet.is_playing(handle, anim_id)`, `puppet.set_play_speed(handle, anim_id, speed)` (v0.4.4)
 
 Keyframe-layer controls. Animation must be registered via
 `puppet.register_animation(handle, anim)` first. `speed` defaults to 1.0;
-pass a value like `0.45` for a slower cadence.
+pass a value like `0.45` for a slower cadence. `set_play_speed` mutates the
+speed of a currently-playing anim **without resetting its cycle position**
+— useful for mid-anim speed changes (e.g., sprint toggle). Silent no-op
+if the anim is not currently playing.
 
 ### `puppet.register_animation(handle, anim)`
 
@@ -148,6 +151,13 @@ Not for production use.
 
 ## CHANGELOG
 
+### v0.4.4
+- `puppet.set_play_speed(handle, anim_id, speed)`: mutates the play-speed
+  of a currently-running animation WITHOUT resetting its cycle position.
+  Silent no-op if anim is not playing. Use case: sprint-toggle mid-walk
+  doubles cadence smoothly (`puppet.play` with new speed would reset
+  `t = 0` and visibly restart the cycle).
+
 ### v0.4.3
 - `inherit_scale: false` bone flag: when false, `world.scl = local.scl`
   (parent.world.scl not multiplied). Position cascade still uses parent.scl.
@@ -206,8 +216,8 @@ Not for production use.
 
 ## References
 
-- `architecture/puppet.md` (Reference — updated to v0.4.3)
-- `superpowers/specs/2026-05-18-puppet-subterrain-model-design.md` (Baseline Spec v0.4.3)
+- `architecture/puppet.md` (Reference — updated to v0.4.4)
+- `superpowers/specs/2026-05-18-puppet-subterrain-model-design.md` (Baseline Spec v0.4.3+)
 - `docs/adrs/0040-puppet-subterrain-model-pivot.md` (Pivot rationale)
 - ADR-0037 (Tests-as-Libs)
 - ADR-0038 (API-Doc-Convention)