Speedwork involves runners performing brief and intense work at routine times to increase their speed and competence. The workouts typically occur on tracks or level areas.
Endurance athletes perform speedwork to increase their VO₂ max, lactate threshold, and running efficiency. Intervals (such as 6 × 400m), tempo runs, and fartleks are typical types of speedwork. Speedwork assists triathletes and runners in finishing a race strongly, getting a quicker finishing kick, and handling brief spikes in speed in competition. Restoration periods in between hard efforts are as crucial to improvement as the hard efforts themselves.
