Training Sessions

Below are some examples of the kind of training sessions we often do on Tuesday evenings. These sessions could also be adapted and used on an individual basis.


Fartlek Session Examples

Progression Fartlek

  • 10min warm-up jog, dynamic stretching and drills;
  • Summary: Two sets of efforts increasing in time length (decreasing in intensity) with equal recovery after efforts:
    • 30sec effort with 30sec recovery jog;
    • 1min effort with 1min recovery jog;
    • 2min effort with 2min recovery jog;
    • 5min effort with 5min recovery jog;
    • Additional 5min recovery jog;
    • Repeat two sets (2 x 4).
  • 10min cool down jog and stretch.

Moneghetti Fartlek

  • 10min warm-up jog, dynamic stretching and drills;
  • Summary: Efforts should start at 5k pace and get faster for as the intervals get shorter:
    • 2 x 90sec effort with 90sec recovery jog;
    • 4 x 60sec effort with 60sec recovery jog;
    • 4 x 30sec effort with 30sec recovery jog;
    • 4 x 15sec effort with 15sec recovery jog.
  • 10min cool down jog and stretch.

Hill Session Examples

2min Hills

  • 10min warm-up jog, dynamic stretching and drills;
  • Summary: Find a steady, fairly long climb (e.g. Beacon Lough Bank) to do 2min efforts up:
  • 2min effort up hill followed by 3min recovery returning to the bottom.
    • Repeat 5-7 times.
  • 10min cool down jog and stretch.

Kenyan Hills

  • 10min warm-up jog, dynamic stretching and drills;
  • Summary: Constant 10min efforts running both up and down a gentle hill (e.g. Valley Drive);
  • 10min tempo effort (same intensity going up and down);
    • 3min recovery walk.
    • Repeat 3 times.
  • 10min cool down jog and stretch.

Inverted Hill Progression

  • 10min warm-up jog, dynamic stretching and drills;
  • Summary: Decreasing timed efforts running up a steep hill (e.g. Belle Vue Bank) with recovery jog down;
    • 2 x 2min up with 2min recovery down;
    • 4 x 1.5min up with 1.5min recovery down;
    • 6 x 1min up with 1min recovery down;
    • 8 x 30sec up with 30sec recovery down.
  • 10min cool down jog and stretch.

Pyramid Session Examples

Timed Pyramid

  • 10min warm-up jog, dynamic stretching and drills;
  • Summary: 1min progression up to 4min and then back down to 1min, with 1min recovery jog:
    • 1min hard, 1min rest;
    • 2min hard, 1min rest;
    • 3min hard, 1min rest;
    • 4min hard, 1min rest;
    • 3min hard, 1min rest;
    • 2min hard, 1min rest;
    • 1min hard, 1min rest.
  • 10min cool down jog and stretch.

Double Pyramid

  • 10min warm-up jog, dynamic stretching and drills;
  • Summary: Two sets of pyramids with a 5min recovery jog between sets.
  • Each set 30sec progression up to 2min and then back down to 30sec, with 30sec recovery jog after each effort:
    • 30sec hard, 30sec rest;
    • 1min hard, 30sec rest;
    • 1.5min hard, 30sec rest;
    • 2min hard, 30sec rest;
    • 1.5min hard, 30sec rest;
    • 1min hard, 30sec rest;
    • 30sec hard, 30sec rest;
    • Repeat two sets (2 x 7).
  • 10min cool down jog and stretch.

Speed Intervals Session Examples

1min Efforts

  • 10min warm-up jog, dynamic stretching and drills;
  • Summary: Two sets of 1min efforts x 6, with a 5min recovery jog between sets.
  • 1min effort at faster than 5km pace with 2min recovery jog after efforts:
    • Repeat 6 times;
    • Additional 3min recovery jog;
    • Repeat two sets (2 x 6).
  • 10min cool down jog and stretch.

1km Efforts

  • 10min warm-up jog, dynamic stretching and drills;
  • Summary: 1km efforts with full recovery;
  • 1km effort at 5km pace with 3mins recovery walk after efforts;
    • Repeat 4-5 times;
  • 10min cool down jog and stretch.

Tempo Session Examples

Classic Tempo

  • 15min warm-up jog, dynamic stretching and drills;
  • Summary: 20-30min tempo effort at 10km pace.
  • 15min cool down jog and stretch.

8min Tempo

  • 10min warm-up jog, dynamic stretching and drills;
  • Summary: 3 x 8min tempo efforts with full recovery;
  • 8min effort at 10km pace with 2mins recovery walk after efforts;
    • Repeat 3 times;
  • 10min cool down jog and stretch.