When runners discuss speed work, four words you likely hear thrown around are fartleks, repeats, intervals, and tempo runs. If you ask ten people what each means, you’ll get several people agreeing on their meanings, but you’ll also get several people who know ‘more or less’ what they mean, and you’ll get some who’ll tell you they’re not sure; they’re confused. Let’s unravel the confusion in favor of clarity.
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January is the month of reflection and projection. I’ve got some thoughts that I hope will help with your running goals for this next year, and I present the Mojo for Running 2016 Challenge. 
Last time we discussed the importance of balance for runners of all levels and at all speeds. It’s critical to virtually every element of running, and perhaps most important of all, because it is at the root of good running form. 
Oddly, relatively little is said about balance for runners. Yet, running is all about balance. Right? If you’re on two feet, you’re walking, and if you’re on one foot, you’re balancing. 
Do you ever listen while you run? No, I don’t mean listen to music or conversation or podcasts. Do you listen for the sound of your feet hitting the ground? Try it. If your feet make a loud pounding noise, that means you’re hitting the ground with more force than necessary, and there is room for improvement. 
Most of the runners I know hope to PR on a regular basis. They know they’re not likely to PR often, but they at least hope to PR every once in a while. 
One topic that doesn’t get much attention in running magazines, on online sites, and in blogs, is older runners, senior runners, masters runners – yikes! There lies one of the problems: what word to use. 
Any runner at any level is always at risk for becoming overtrained, of developing overtraining syndrome, a condition you’ll want to go to great effort to avoid because it’s unpleasant, disappointing, and dangerous. 
