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

[Sandie1961]

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?

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10]

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 in reply to BaddieThePirate]

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 Graduate10 in reply to Whatnog]

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

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to BaddieThePirate]

I didn’t realise you rest between intervals either!

[Snuffy_T Graduate10]

Welldone ! Sounds good to try something different

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

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 🤗

[Hidden]

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 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thought you’d like that one TS 😂😂

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

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! 👊👍🏃‍♀️

[Hidden in reply to cheekychipmunks]

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

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

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

[Hidden in reply to cheekychipmunks]

🤣🤣🤣⚡️🙌

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

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

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

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

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

😂😂

[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 Graduate10]

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 Graduate10]

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 Graduate10]

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

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

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

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

Yes Thundersloth introduced it to us.

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Why am I not surprised 😂😂

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

😂 ⚡️

[Hidden]

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 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

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 Graduate10]

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 Graduate10]

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 😣