Fartlek: Swedish term meaning ‘speed play’; a method of athletic training (especially for runners) in which strenuous effort and normal effort alternate in a continuous exercise
Just saying the word fartlek is fun.
Fartlek
Fartlek
Fartlek
Faaaaaartlek
Um, yeah… where was I?
Tonight I left my house to run without any real plan other than fulfilling my need to run. After I got started, I decided that I needed to REALLY move. So spur of the moment I decided to do fartleks on this run.
I had a lot of fun during this run, completing 5.55 miles. I didn’t pay attention to my exact pace while running, just ran fast when I decided to and ran at an easy pace in between. I ran at top speed on the dirt trail outside neighborhoods and slowed down to an easy pace to cross the streets. Then when I got past that section I ran at an easy pace until I turned around and ran through that section again to do the fartleks again on my way home.
The only down side was how flushed and red my face was at the end of the run. Even after taking a cold shower, it’s still pretty red, warm and flushed right now; 2 hours after finishing.
Now that I’m a “grown up” I don’t go out to play like I did as a kid. Well I realized I need to do more speed work games like this, I enjoyed the playful side! And after missing my long run over the weekend and Monday’s run due to some cold symptoms, I needed this one and I needed it to be fun!
I’d like to encourage all of you to get out and do some fartleks on a run, make it a game! Run at top speed between signs or trees or other visual cues. Choose to alternate speed on every other block. Whatever works for your running area. We all deserve to “go out and play”!
Jill Will Run 
I cannot have a conversation about fartleks without acting like a three year old!!!
I’d like to meet the person that can. It would be interesting to see somebody doing a scholarly presentation on the benefits without at least cracking a smile when they say the word fartlek!
I like fartleks, too. I’ve had no luck working them into this training cycle, though, but I still enjoy them — a lot less pressure than intervals!
fartleks are fun!! and so is saying the word 🙂
Oooh, I might just have to attempt a fartlek tonight! Just thinking about the name and giggling ought to be enough to get me through it 🙂
i’m too geek-anal for a fartlek… i recommend them to others and consider them myself sometimes, but i NEED the data of my splits and it overpowers me.
i know, i’m a nerd. i do need to just calm down and “play” like you said!
I completely identify with that. I used to run with a Garmin, watch and Nike+ then come home to compare/contrast every bit of data I could. I’ve been really trying to “encourage” myself to relax more! I’ve got too many stressors in life, I don’t need to make running one of those!
Go play, Lindsay!
For some reason, the only times I can do fartleks the way you are supposed to is when I run with people. I guess I’m not disciplined to actually pick a goal and really run toward it. I can only imagine how hot you were there with the heat you’ve been experiencing lately!
Sometimes the right song can get you to do fartleks when you sprint to the chorus. I certainly found that the other day on a shortish run. Really messes with your splits, but honestly, you can’t care about that ALL the time.
Fartleks.
Sorry. Just had to get that out. Fartleks.
Fartleks. It’s much more fun to say that word around non-runners who have no idea what you’re talking about. Fartleks? You said, what? Did I hear you right? So much fun.
But as much fun as it is to say I, too, have trouble actually working them into my training. I like to pretend I do when I sprint to the tree at the end of my runs but I don’t think that’s quite what a good fartlek would be.
hahaha… fartlek.
I enjoy fartlek running too, especially when I am bored running and still have a few miles to go.
I get flushed in the face when I run long distances as well, I have convinced myself that the improved circulation will keep me looking younger. I like being pink faced in the morning!