Would be tempted to say that it's never too late to run...rather start running, but in this post I want to highlight that it's never too late to learn.
Most of my running life, my philosophy has been to enjoy the run and to go with the flow....nothing structured. However of late (thanks to the influence of my running mate, Dr. Gaurav Sethi) I have started looking at the technicalities of running. Mark my words: ‘looking’...not necessarily ‘following’!!๐
One term that intrigued me was 'fartlek'. It’s meaning was not readily apparent. No wonder as it's a Swedish term meaning speed play. Reading more about it I realised that it is something that quite fits into my philosophy of running, being nothing very strict or set in stone.
So Fartlek was my next destination. Quite simply put....it is what it means, an almost playful way of approaching your run. No fixed pace, no fixed targets. Mix it up. On the go, you improvise...picking a looming landmark at random and racing towards it, then slowing down to recover your breath, attacking an upcoming flyover, summiting it and ambling down and again accelerating towards another target. Reminds you of your childhood and the unadulterated enjoyment?!!๐ค
Your mind remains fresh and alert, away from the monotony of planned training sessions, psychologically you become stronger, your different muscle fibers get a complete workout and cardiovascular fitness improves thanks to the high intensity bursts. A definite recommendation.๐
Appealing concept? It did seem like a good idea to me and I have started incorporating 'speed play' (fartlek) into my morning runs. Watch this space...results to follow.๐
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