Please can someone explain the difference between fartleks and intervals?

[BethMay]

Hi all

Just completed Ju-Ju’s ‘10 is the Magic Number’ and looking to mix up some of my runs with new challenges. The explanations that I’ve seen for Fartleks and Intervals sound really similar. Can any of you seasoned and knowledgable runners pin point the difference for me, please?

Thank you!

Beth

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10]

Hi Beth. I believe the difference is Fartleks are flexible - down to you how you do it (not timed/structured). I do lampost to lampost sprinting. And Intervals are structured/timed.

google.co.uk/amp/s/www.runn...

Sure somebody else will come along!

[BethMay in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

Thanks Rip! Makes sense now xxx

[Tbae]

Yes Beth, Rip is correct, Fartlek is a Swedish word meaning speed play.

Unstructured training.

To run faster you first have to run fast.

This lets you practise this in your own freelance way.

30/20/10 is structured and could be called structured fartleks🤔

Equally Laura’s speed podcast could be called speed training intervals, as you know 6 intervals of 150 bpm alternating with160 bpm.🤔.

Strava hill repeats are also interval training.You can see their programme.

Hope this helps.

You are getting very speedy.💥🏃‍♀️💥👏👏

Sorry did not read link provided by Alka.Perfect.👍👏👏

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to Tbae]

Very well explained Bob. 😊

[BethMay in reply to Tbae]

Thanks Bob. Makes perfect sense now 😊

[mountaindreamer Graduate10]

I’m just a newbie on Juju’s plan, BethMay, but I like that Fartlek’s take no planning / counting /other apps etc... So while I’m not too far into the longer runs, I just randomly Fartlek for my short run. It’s all pretty random, and depends how I feel. Aim for a lamppost etc / slow down to recover / aim for another lamppost even less far ahead once I’m tiring... You can just have fun with them. 😊❤️

[BethMay in reply to mountaindreamer]

Thanks chick that’s helpful 😊

[Kar43 Graduate10]

google.co.uk/amp/s/www.runn...

[Kar43 Graduate10 in reply to Kar43]

Have a read of this Beth it's great 👍

[BethMay in reply to Kar43]

Thanks Kar 😊

[BethMay in reply to Kar43]

Just had a chance to read the article Kar- really clear explanation 😊

[Kar43 Graduate10 in reply to BethMay]

I had to look through the other day as I'm enjoying shorter runs and needed something to play with so this helped 😊

and on the fb page which alka put on is fab Beth if your thinking of some little extras during your runs 😊

therunningbug.com/fitness/b...