Fartlek = Pain

Ok, peep this...

Tonight was the first of many fartleks in my 16 week training program. It was a 1-2-3-2-1 fartlek. To refresh your memory, a fartlek is when you alternate a period of fast running with the same time period of easy jogging.

It's a good thing that I like the pain, because I was hurting something fierce. I had no idea how taxing it would be, but it felt good to open up the lungs, lengthen the stride, and let it all hang out (even if it was only for a few minutes each time). So, how fast should you run? As fast as your like! Or "comfortably hard". Just don't strain anything by running TOO hard.

From the different articles that I have read, it does the body good to get out of the normal "marathoners rut". You know, that constant-pace running that isn't too fast and isn't too slow. Plus, training to run at a faster pace, by way of fartleks, tempo runs, and intervals, pushes your lactate threshold up and improves your race-day performance. It allows you to dig deeper inside and find a little more speed to get you through those miles where you feel like slowing down. Running at a faster pace will take some getting used to, but it will be worth it in the end.

Miles on the Saucony shoes so far this week: 16

{Yes, that was a shameless plug for the world's greatest running shoes}