10k break 40 improve running economy moderate

R = Rest

AR = Active Rest (walk, bike or swim)

E = Easy pace

T = Threshold pace. Ideally you would use a Heart Rate Monitor. Depending on levels of fitness threshold pace is approximately 85 - 90% of maximum heart rate* or half marathon race pace.

F = Faster than race pace - approximatgely 95% of maximum heart rate. The recoveries should be as long as it takes for the heart rate to fall to 60% of maximum heart rate.

During your efforts you should imagine you have a helium balloon attached to the top of your head so that you 'run tall'. Your hips should be high. Each time you strike the ground your centre of mass should be directly above the part of your foot that you land on. Try to land on your forefoot. Your shoulders should be relaxed and your arms should swing back and forth and not across the body. The focus shouldn't be on running fast but on running relaxed.

Any session that includes fast running should also include a 10 minute warm up with dynamic stretching and a 10 minute cool down with static stretching.

*to calculate percentage of maximum heart rate:

Maximum heart rate = approx 220 minus your age.

Subtract your resting heart rate (should be taken on waking up)

Calculate the percentage of this number and then add the resting heart rate back on.

Eg, Joe is 40 years old with a resting heart rate of 60.

His fast running should be done at 95% of maximum heart rate:

220 - 40 = 180

180 - 60 = 120

95% of 120 = 114

114 + 60 = 174

174 - pace for speed sessions.

Recovery is until the heart rate drops to 60%

60% of 120 = 76

76 + 60 = 136

His next effort should be when his heart rate gets down to 136.

The sessions don't have to be done on the days suggested - they should fit in and around the rest of your life but try to keep to the formula of having an easy day or a day of rest after the faster sessions. Recovery is a very important part of training. Likewise, if you are feeling tired on a day where a fast session is scheduled, save it for another day and have a day off or an easy run. It is important to listen to your body. It will tell you when you need recovery. An elevated resting heart rate is also an indication that you need to rest as there is a possibility that you are fighting off a bug or virus. Don't run if you are ill or run down. You shouldn't try to make up for lost time either. You may have to miss a session or two but try to keep the key session in there. By Jackie Newton. Level 3 UKA endurance coach and runbritain online editor.