Try Fartlek With The Butcher's Dog

Try Fartlek!!

Okay, we know it sounds weird,but Fatlek literally is Scandinavian (sorry, we can't remember which Scandinavian) for 'speedplay'. So what does it mean? Simple, once you've built up a reasonable level of fitness running or cycling, avoid getting stuck in a rut. Instead of going out and caning it at a constant pace, literally go and play.

Once you've warmed up, vary your pace according to your mood. Try short sharp bursts of say 20-30 seconds interspersed with, slower recoveries in between, then try longer spells at a faster pace, say 2-5 minutes, again with a gentler period in between. Just go with the flow. If you're feeling fit and fast, let rip . If you're in a gentler mood then go easier.

The great thing is that you'll stimulate yourself mentally and physically. The bulk of your training should still be relatively steady, particularly if you're preparing for the hills - remember them? - but squeeze in a fartlek session once a week to add some variety and keep your tail wagging.

Woof!