Fartlek training offers several benefits that can contribute to improving your running performance.
Improve Physical and Mental Endurance
Fartlek achieves this by pushing the runner out of their comfort zone – allowing both our bodies and minds to adapt and respond to changes in speed to build resistance and endurance over time through incremental bursts of speed. Fartlek training can also improve your ability to fasten the pace on race day to push yourself further and knock a few seconds off your finishing time.
Race Day Ready
Fartlek exposes runners to quick and more intense running which transitions well over into race day. Fartlek can simulate some of the rigorous demands of race day. Unlike traditional interval training, fartlek training never fully allows you to rest, and encourages you to draw spurts of energy throughout the training session are both examples of typical variances you’ll encounter on race day.
Unstructured Fun
Fartlek can allow you to build the structure. Something you’ll definitely need on race day, as you won’t have anyone to tell you to run harder or ease off. Building structure through fartlek can enable you to assess your body’s response and allow you to push through. Moreover, fartlek can be run over different terrains, elevations, and routes where the focus is on perceived effort – which can make fartlek all the more enjoyable to run.