Fartleks

One of the bonuses of taking up running is that I get to utilize the word "Fartlek" in everyday conversations. One of the downsides of taking up running is that I have to do them.

Fartlek...as I am sure you know...is some non-English word meaning "speed play". I think the use of the word "play" in the definition is perhaps a bit of a stretch. Essentially, you speed up (what we runners call "sprint") for a bit, and then you slow down (what you might call "walk") for a bit. If you repeat this process an unknown number of times, before you know it, apparently, you get to be a faster runner.

This morning I was reintroduced to the Fartlek. While I am thrilled to be able to drop that term in polite conversation, I am hesitant to fully embrace the Fartlek. My run entailed 10 minutes at an easy pace, followed by 10 thirty second Fartleks (30 second sprinting/30 second slow run), followed by 10 minutes at an easy pace. To be honest, time really does go faster when doing Fartleks...correction...the time spent at a slow run/walk between the sprinting goes faster. The time spent actually sprinting is definitely elongated.

Timmy

Days Left 180