This session is great to improve speed for runners aiming for an event between 5km and a half marathon (and even out to a marathon). It is perfect for road runners, trail runners, and triathletes alike.
Each week I will be posting the Friday Fartlek Run Sessions that you can do to enhance your running. Fartlek is a Swedish term that runners often use and it means speed-play. See a previous post about training intensity (levels) to know how hard to work.
I originally got the idea for this workout from a Runner’s World article, but I can no longer locate the original source of it.
Runner’s World Gear Shifter
- 10min WU Level II;
- 1,200m Level IV, 2min RI Level II;
- 800m Level V, 2min RI Level II;
- 400m Level V, 2min RI Level II;
- 800m Level V, 2min RI Level II;
- 1,200m Level IV;
- 10min CD Level II;
- 10min Stretching
The Warm Up (WU) should be done at an intensity that is steady, but not overconsuming at Level II for ten minutes.
The main set is made up of five reps done in an inverted pyramid fashion. The first and last reps are done at Level IV intensity over 1,200m (or three laps of the athletics track). The second and fourth reps are over 800m (two laps) at Level V effort and the third rep is over 400m (a single lap) and is done at Level V intensity, but you should be running faster than the previous Level V efforts. Between each rep jog at Level II for two minutes for your Rest interval (RI).
The Cool Down (CD) is at a low intensity, jogging (Level II) for a minimum of ten minutes.
Finish with 10 minutes of stretching to assist with the recovery.
If you would like further advice feel free to contact me.
I am the Head Coach & Director of Qwik Kiwi – Endurance Sports Consultant.
I specialise in assisting first-timers and recreational athletes to achieve their sporting goals. I can be contacted at coachray@coachray.nz and 021 348 729.
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If you enjoyed this workout, here is a similar session I published 12 months ago.
Friday Fartlek Run – Half Marathon Tempo Progression A
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