Tempo or Fartlek ?

Mumontherun

Which is better a tempo run or a fartlek ?? I have both a fartlek and a tempo session in my training programme this week, but I won't be able to do both, so wondering which is more beneficial to improve times?

ecoli

mumontherun wrote: »

Which is better a tempo run or a fartlek ?? I have both a fartlek and a tempo session in my training programme this week, but I won't be able to do both, so wondering which is more beneficial to improve times?

Depends on alot of things:

Running background?
Target race?
Recent Training sessions?
Usual race distance?

Mumontherun

Started running Jan Couch25k. now on a 10k training programme. Present target - 10k race, 4 weeks done. usual training week; 1 x tempo run (5 miles including warm up & cool down), 1 x speed session (fartlek varies usually 3 mins hard 2 min recovery x 5), 1 x long slow run, strength training x 2.

ecoli

mumontherun wrote: »

Started running Jan Couch25k. now on a 10k training programme. Present target - 10k race, 4 weeks done. usual training week; 1 x tempo run (5 miles including warm up & cool down), 1 x speed session (fartlek varies usually 3 mins hard 2 min recovery x 5), 1 x long slow run, strength training x 2.

How far away from target race are you?

Mumontherun

4 weeks to race

ecoli

mumontherun wrote: »

4 weeks to race

I would say either would be as beneficial as each other possibly the fartlek would be my preference though as you start to get closer to your races you should be doing more 10k specific work so the "on" segements would be at or close to 10k race pace roughly

Mumontherun

fartlek it is so:D better psyche myself up

Gringo78

When I have to choose between 2 sessions I usually try to do the one which I would least like to do as usually that's where you're weakest

Mumontherun

Gringo78 wrote: »

When I have to choose between 2 sessions I usually try to do the one which I would least like to do as usually that's where you're weakest

That would be hills so :D:D:D

nice one!