Alternating Group Chase

This is another ‘classic’ VO2 Max improving interval set but with a twist to keep it interesting. We’re going to aim for 3 minutes hard effort (faster than 3km race pace) followed by a 3 minute walk. But to keep it interesting as a group we’re going to add in a little twist. As alwaysContinue reading “Alternating Group Chase”

Group Fartlek

Almost every post I read on Fartlek running starts with “Fartlek is Swedish for Speed Play”, so that’s where we’ll start. Fartlek is, normally, a set of variable length self-paced intervals with variable length self-paced rest, i.e., depending on how you feel you run quick for a bit, then slow for a bit and repeatContinue reading “Group Fartlek”

Group Variation on Paarlauf

Paarlauf is usually done in pairs where one runner runs ‘easy’ and the other runs ‘hard’ and when they meet they swap paces, it requires quite a specific shaped layout. This variation can be done on pretty much any course and with mixed size groups. The aim of this workout is to get some runningContinue reading “Group Variation on Paarlauf”

Tabata-Style Workouts

In the late 1990’s Izumi Tabata et al. ran a series of experiments to see the effect of short duration high intensity intervals with very short rest periods; the results were dramatic and showed an extremely time efficient way to increase VO2 Max. The original protocol from the experiment was for athletes to do 7-8Continue reading “Tabata-Style Workouts”