First Fartlek - Done ✅

[GigglyBFC]

On my last NRC recovery run coach Bennett advised trying out some different runs. I’d been looking at doing a Fartlek so after I finished work and some stretches I headed off on a 7 min warm up jog, nice and easy but then the fun started!

10 mins of Fartleking going between normal (4/10), strong (6/10), stronger 7 or 8/10) and strongest (9 or 10/10) with varying times between 15 and 30 secs running hard and up to a minute recovery running. It was 🤬 hard 🤣 and I was well out of breath after the stronger and strongest runs.

It made me realise that I’m not as fit as I thought I was and mixing it up will help me get stronger and fitter. I’m really glad I took the challenge even though at the time I wondered what the heck I was doing!

Give it a go if you want to spice up your running a bit and remember that you are allowed to laugh when coach says Fartlek 🤣🤣🤣

[Doris8 Graduate10]

Good for you . Your average pace fast. If I ran like that would be in A&E along the road from us especially with a dodgy hip. Do you do that once a week or just now and again?😀

[GigglyBFC Graduate10 in reply to Doris8]

Haha it was hard Doris. I think once a fortnight and perhaps some tempo or interval run on the other week and a couple of normal runs each week. I’ll probably just end up doing whatever on the day though, I’m not good sticking to a plan 🤣

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

Well done , I have done that NRC Fartkek run and as you said you certainly know you've done a workout 😂👍

[GigglyBFC Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

Thanks, I didn’t expect it to be so hard...

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Well done - sounds great! I need to start including a few fartleks in my runs again - they do help with speed. Trouble is, I do a few and then seem to forget and settle back in to my normal pace again! 🤦‍♀️

[Comfortnotspeed Graduate10]

Well done! Sounds like top effort. Just tried first NRC speed run and liked it much more than I thought I would. Maybe it’s like the old HIIT used to be!!!