It was the first one and I think it was one minute on and one minute rest. I didn't realise what they were, so I did the faster pace then slowed down to a very slow jog in between. I was looking forward to a run, so I made it one. Not sure I'll be able to do that all the time...
The guidance on the run should tell you to walk or jog lightly between intervals (or even stand to recover if you need to)… whatever works for you! The priority is being ready for the next interval, not exactly what you do in between. I’m surprised the coach didn’t say so. Maybe it’s a rogue interval run that’s missing this essential information! All the ones I’ve done have say you should be walking/jogging very lightly in between rather than telling you to stand still.
Interval runs are tough- they still count as proper runs even if you don’t move much in between. I find them harder than steady paced runs of much, much longer durations. It’s just a very different kind of run. I wouldn’t want anyone thinking their run suddenly wasn’t valid if they stood still between those hard efforts. I’d question if the effort was quite right if they weren’t able to keep walking though.
In that case it sounds like the coach was asking for standing! That’s not the norm but you’ll have loads more ahead and you’ll get to try all sorts of different things. Apologies that I may well have got your run mixed up with a different one. I guess the main point I was making was that standing still can still be part of a valid run. It’s a common misconception that sometimes comes from couch to 5k that only continuous runs count as proper runs which is why I’ve just pushed back a bit on that. I hope it’s taken in the spirit of positivity in which it was intended!
Have fun with your next speed run! Is it intervals again? Hills are my favourites. I’ve got “Runner Up” coming up next for me and I can’t wait!
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