Running at your VO2 Max will build your top-end speed. This is a tough session and won’t always be able to be completed at the correct pace and may require a few attempts for you to achieve your goal. This is a great session for all runners and triathletes especially those running events between 5km & half marathon.
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 is often used by runners and it means speed-play. See a previous post about training intensity (levels) to know how hard to work.
The inspiration for this post came from an article by Greg McMillan. You can read that article here.
Greg McMillan’s Best 5k Workouts #3
- 10min WU Level II;
- 3x 60sec Level IV, 30sec Level II RI;
- 6x 800m Level V, 400-500m Level II RI;
- 10min CD Level II;
- 10min Stretching
Start the workout with a Warm Up (WU) of ten minutes of easy jogging at Level II.
Then build into a set of three, 60-second reps running at Level IV to get the Heart Rate up and body ready for the harder reps to come. Jog at Level II for 30 seconds between reps.
The Main Set involves running six reps at Level V for 800m. Aim to run the pace for your 5k time (see chart below). Jog for 400 to 500m between reps at Level II 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.
See your targeted 800m time here based on your goal 5km time.
| Target 5k Time | 800m Rep |
| 0:16:00 | 0:02:34 |
| 0:16:30 | 0:02:38 |
| 0:17:00 | 0:02:43 |
| 0:17:30 | 0:02:48 |
| 0:18:00 | 0:02:53 |
| 0:18:30 | 0:02:58 |
| 0:19:00 | 0:03:02 |
| 0:19:30 | 0:03:07 |
| 0:20:00 | 0:03:12 |
| 0:20:30 | 0:03:17 |
| 0:21:00 | 0:03:22 |
| 0:21:30 | 0:03:26 |
| 0:22:00 | 0:03:31 |
| 0:22:30 | 0:03:36 |
| 0:23:00 | 0:03:41 |
| 0:23:30 | 0:03:46 |
| 0:24:00 | 0:03:50 |
| 0:24:30 | 0:03:55 |
| 0:25:00 | 0:04:00 |
| 0:25:30 | 0:04:05 |
| 0:26:00 | 0:04:10 |
| 0:26:30 | 0:04:14 |
| 0:27:00 | 0:04:19 |
| 0:27:30 | 0:04:24 |
| 0:28:00 | 0:04:29 |
| 0:28:30 | 0:04:34 |
| 0:29:00 | 0:04:38 |
| 0:29:30 | 0:04:43 |
| 0:30:00 | 0:04:48 |
| 0:30:30 | 0:04:53 |
| 0:31:00 | 0:04:58 |
| 0:31:30 | 0:05:02 |
| 0:32:00 | 0:05:07 |
| 0:32:30 | 0:05:12 |
| 0:33:00 | 0:05:17 |
| 0:33:30 | 0:05:22 |
| 0:34:00 | 0:05:26 |
| 0:34:30 | 0:05:31 |
| 0:35:00 | 0:05:36 |
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.
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