Get Fitter and Stronger --- Fast

This is a repost from an article written by Jeff Galloway.
PUBLISHED 05/03/2007

Running faster than you usually run can be very motivating. it can also take your fitness to another level. So if you've never done a speed workout before, or you haven't run one in more than a year, add some quicker running to your schedule once you've been logging at least three runs per week (at least 20 minutes per run) for four weeks or longer. To get started, go to a track, find some smooth trails, or head to any running area that is relatively flat and offers stable footing. Then try this introduction to speedwork:

First Workout: 15 Fast Seconds
Warm up by walking for three minutes, then running easy for eight minutes.

Run comfortably for 10 seconds, increase your speed for 10 more seconds, and speed up again for five seconds. At no point should you be running all out. Walk for two minutes. Repeat the series two more times.

Cool down by running easy for eight minutes, then walking for three.

Second Workout: (four to six days later) Two Sets
Do the same warmup and cooldown as in the first workout.

Do the same acceleration drill followed by two minutes of walking, but instead of doing the series three times, do it four times.

Then run comfortably for 10 seconds, increase your speed for 10 seconds, then speed up again for 10 seconds. Walk for two minutes. Repeat the series two more times.

Third Workout: Two Sets and More
Do the same warmup and cooldown.

Once a week, repeat the second workout, adding two repeats to the first set of accelerations (work up to 12 repeats) and adding five seconds (work up to 30 seconds) to the length of the last segment in the second set of accelerations. Example: Week three you'd run six accelerations in the first set and extend the last segment of the accelerations in the second set to 15 seconds.