Fartlek - “the harder it is, the more fun it... - Bridge to 10K

Bridge to 10K

16,525 members26,586 posts

Fartlek - “the harder it is, the more fun it is” (not!!)

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10
27 Replies

After Sunday’s 10k, decided to do a short 4k and try Fartlek. Fastest split was 6:06, but overall time still 26 mins and I’m shattered! Is it really worth it?

Written by
Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961
Graduate10
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
27 Replies
BaddieThePirate profile image
BaddieThePirateGraduate10

Hmm, I'm confused over terminology so have just read this: polar.com/blog/tempo-run-fa...

Do something that you enjoy. If you don't like one thing try another. Well, that's my take on it!

Keep us posted on what you try out and what you think to them 😊

Whatnog profile image
Whatnog in reply toBaddieThePirate

Thanks for the article!! I was also very confused 😶, so it was really helpful. And actually I understand now a bit better why I was totally shattered after my attempt at intervals yesterday. I was supposed to rest actively in between them... 😲😳🤦🏻‍♀️

BaddieThePirate profile image
BaddieThePirateGraduate10 in reply toWhatnog

And I thought I'd done intervals, but I'd actually had a go at Fartleks!

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10 in reply toBaddieThePirate

I didn’t realise you rest between intervals either!

Snuffy_T profile image
Snuffy_TGraduate10

Welldone ! Sounds good to try something different

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10

Depends what you're trying to achieve. Mixing up our runs is good for our running bodies and should be fun. If you're training for a race then some kind of speed work is useful but if you run for pure joy and you have no particular goal then just do what you love 🤗

Sounds like my kinda fun Sandie! Quick KM split too... keep those up once a week and you'll definitely see a sub 30 5K very soon. Good for you with your speed-play.

TS⚡

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10 in reply to

Thought you’d like that one TS 😂😂

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10

Haha trust speedy Hidden to enjoy fartlek! 🤣

I’m due for an intervals run (with JogRunSprint app) this week sometime. Not really my bag as I’m a pootler, but they do say no pain, no gain. 🤔😩

So well done for mixing it up Sandie. You’re building stronger running muscles all the time, so keep it up! 👊👍🏃‍♀️

in reply tocheekychipmunks

Oooh! Cheeky + the JogRunSprint app... I can't wait for that post already 👊👏👏👏

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to

Darn, means I have to actually do it now! 😩😩😩

in reply tocheekychipmunks

🤣🤣🤣⚡️🙌

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

😂🤣😂🤣 I think our intervals are probably half the speed of Thundersloth, but who cares and, there again he is but a youngster 😂

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toSandie1961

I’d go with less than half the speed in my case Sandie! 😅😅

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

😂😂

Razouski profile image
Razouski

I hate intervals and fartleks but I know they are good for me (occasionally). It was fartleks that helped me improve my speed and get a sub 60 minute 10k. Like you, they leave me completely knackered. But if you're not trying to improve your time I wouldn't bother with them. ;-)

UpTheStanley profile image
UpTheStanleyGraduate10

A full k is a long long push in a 4k run. Unless it’s the last k, the subsequent recovery is almost bound to pull the overall average speed down. Perhaps try shorter pushes, but don’t worry about the overall time if you’re fartleking. Personally, I do reckon it’s worth it -occasionally 😀

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10

The general idea was that I wanted to use my shorter runs to mix things up a bit, rather than just plodding round at my usual pace and I do still want to hit a sub 30 5k at some point so need a way to increase my speed. This was the Nike Run Club 25 minute programme (2 mins fast, 1 min jog) so I thought it would be ok. I’m trying some of the NRC guided runs just to see what they’re like 🏃‍♀️ I’ll report back 😃

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10

Another one to try is JogRunSprint Sandie available in Apple App Store. I enjoy mixing it up a bit.

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10 in reply toDexy5

Thanks Dexy5 . I’ll have a look. Think cheekychipmunks has that one as well 😃

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply toSandie1961

Yes Thundersloth introduced it to us.

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10 in reply toDexy5

Why am I not surprised 😂😂

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply toSandie1961

😂 ⚡️

Amazing Sandie! Huge well done!🙌

I find fartlek so hard! I usually avoid them 😂 Really must take a leaf out of your book! 🤩

Hope you’ve got your feet up & are relaxing now! 😊

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10 in reply to

It was the first time I’d tried it, but lots of people had mentioned it - not convinced it will be a regular occurrence!

Sinross profile image
SinrossGraduate10

I haven't tried Fartlek yet but want to! I think try again and see if you improve? I used to hate hill reps but now I do them weekly I actually enjoy them.

As others said it's good to mix it up a bit

Crawlhome profile image
CrawlhomeGraduate10

Ooh I like fartleks! That sounds like a good time to me.😁 I don't think you have to worry about how fast you do them, just focus on mixing periods of speed with a recovery period. I definitely saw an improvement with my 5k time doing this and way easier than intervals 😣

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Fabulous450 & The Fartlek Faster Fun Run 🏃🏽‍♀️❤️

Hi Runners After getting a strain at the top of my thigh muscle (Not running, but diving into an...
Fabulous450 profile image
Graduate10

Running is getting....harder??

I’m hitting a point in my running journey where I am no longer feeling the “high” I used to. I am...

Things getting harder not easier!

I graduated from C25K on Christmas Eve and since then have run three times a week for 30 minutes...
GoHelen profile image

Non-fartlek day, as it turns out.

More inspiration from our HU VBs. Was it CP2 who talked about NRC coached Fartlek sessions? Sorry...
ktsok profile image

Swansea Parkrun. More fun times 😃

Met a lovely chap at the start who has run over 100 of these all over the country. He told me he’s...
RunBrianRun profile image
Graduate10

Moderation team

See all
MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministrator
Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministrator
Yesletsgo profile image
YesletsgoAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.