Testing yourself with a session that provides minimal rest is a great way to put yourself under pressure. This session is designed to teach your body to run fast when tired and is great for 5km runners and sprint distance triathletes.
Each week I will be posting the Friday Fartlek Run Sessions that you can do to enhance your running. Fartlek is a Swedish term that is often used by runners and it means speed-play. See a previous post about training intensity (levels) to know how hard to work.
The inspiration for this workout comes from an an old issue of 220 Magazine from back in the 90’s or early 2000’s that Steve Trew wrote called Running Fast When You’re Tired.
Steve Trew’s Speed Under Pressure
- 10min WU Level II;
- 2x
- 200m Level V, 90sec Level II RI;
- 200m Level V, 75sec Level II RI;
- 200m Level V, 60sec Level II RI;
- 200m Level V, 45sec Level II RI;
- 200m Level V, 30sec Level II RI;
- 200m Level V, 15sec Level II RI;
- 10min CD Level II
- 10min Stretching
Start the workout with a Warm Up (WU) for ten minutes of easy jogging at Level II.
The Main Set involves running two sets of six by 200m at Level V. After each rep the Rest Interval (RI) gets slightly shorter. Start with 90-seconds at Level II for the Rest Interval (RI) and reduce the duration of the Rest Interval (RI) by fifteen-seconds each rep. After the sixth rep the Rest Interval (RI) will be fifteen-seconds, return to 90-seconds after the first rep of the second set.
The Cool Down (CD) is at a low intensity, jogging (Level II) for at least ten minutes.
Finish with 10 minutes of stretching to assist with the recovery.
If you would like further advice feel free to contact me.
I am the Head Coach & Director of Qwik Kiwi – Endurance Sports Consultant.
I specialise in assisting first-timers and recreational athletes to achieve their sporting goals. I can be contacted at coachray@coachray.nz and 021 348 729.
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