Fartlek Training to Increase Running Speed

Fartlek training, says Coach Carvey, is different than interval training but both will help increase running speed and jogging speed too!.

This unfortunate Swedish term which has launched a million jokes is actually a wonderful tool for the distance runner. Do you like speed? Do you like play? Well you’re gonna love speed play!

There you are on your 4 miler in the woods, trudging along at your usual pace when you spot a tree that is a 100 yards away. What do you do? Say, “Hello tree!” No! Start sprinting to it, you fool!

Feel the wind in your hair, your heart pumping and real estate flying by. Maybe your hamstring is ripping in half but anything worth doing has risks. Isn’t this fun? You are fartleking my friend.

Now go back to your usual pace and recover until you feel like licking a fart once more! Repeat as necessary. Oh there is one side effect. You may find your normal running pace will feel slow, this is good!

You see, interval training on the track couldn’t be more different from fartlek. Intervals are written in stone and completely unforgiving. They might as well be written up by a German Field Marshall. “You vil run 20 quarters und you vill rest for no more then von minute in between. You have your orders, now begin the task before you or face a firing squad!” More about interval training. at carvey Running Tips.

On the contrary, I believe fartlek was invented by an old Swedish hippy. “Hey dude, what’s happening? You know like when you’re running today, yeah? Well if you feel like it, wouldn’t it be totally groovy to like run real fast between a couple of trees or maybe a rock or something?”

Fartlek training is also a great speed workout for the winter. In those cold winter months, where you don’t get anywhere near a track you can still keep your leg turnover speed with fartlek!

So now you know about speed play. Do it, enjoy it, just don’t tell anyone the real name because they will look at you like you’ve lost your mind!

Some Tips and Facts About Fartlek Training

• Warm up for at least 15 minutes prior
• This type of training improves your body's ability to use oxygen so it is an excellent form of cardiovascular fitness training.
• Can help to Prevent boredom
• You can also increase your jogging speed if you are a beginner running, save the intensity for when you can say your are an intermediate runner.

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