Do you know Steve Moneghetti?

When talking about the greatest long-distance runners of all time, it's impossible to ignore Steve Moneghetti. The Australian has not only set impressive personal bests, like a marathon time of 2:08:16, but he's also made his mark as a world-class runner, with victories in races like the Tokyo Marathon and four appearances at the Olympics.

But Moneghetti is more than just a legend. He has inspired runners all over the world with his dedication, willpower – and, last but not least, his training philosophy. One of the training methods that has stuck with many is his unique approach to the fartlek. Moneghetti Fartlek – A Fun and Effective Training Form After hearing about Steve Moneghetti’s impressive achievements, I was inspired to try his famous fartlek.

The Moneghetti Fartleg is as follows:

- 2 x 90 seconds fast (90 seconds jog as recovery)

- 4 x 60 seconds fast (60 seconds jog as recovery)

- 4 x 30 seconds fast (30 seconds jog as recovery)

- 4 x 15 seconds fast (15 seconds jog as recovery)

I've always loved fartlek, and this version certainly didn't disappoint. Fartlek is one of the most versatile forms of training. It can be run anywhere - in the woods, on trails, or even on asphalt. And it's over quickly! The short, active recovery makes time fly by, and with a watch that beeps to mark the transition, you can practically turn off your brain and just enjoy the pace and the constant alternation between sprint and jog. It's one of the most fun ways to train intervals.

A Koala and a Childhood Memory

After my workout, I couldn't get Moneghetti out of my head. The name echoed in my mind – Monteghetti, Monteghetti... There was something about it. The next day I asked my mother if she remembered anything special about Steve Moneghetti.

To my surprise, she replied: "He's the one you got your koala from!" Suddenly I remembered. I had actually met Steve Moneghetti as a child, when I was six years old, in China, where my father, Henrik Jørgensen, and Moneghetti were going to run the Beijing Marathon. During our meeting, he gave me a little koala bear that has been with me ever since. Unlike my other bears, which have long since been sent to the eternal hunting grounds for stuffed animals, this little koala has survived. Today, it sits in my daughters' room, still clinging to a basket of socks, just as it has clung to my life and my memories.

Maybe I took extra good care of the little koala because I knew it was something special. Just like its first owner, Steve Moneghetti.

Try Moneghetti Fartleg for Yourself

If you want to try Moneghetti Fartleg, run the intervals at a pace that is similar to your 5K race pace. As the intervals get shorter, you can increase the speed further. During the recovery periods, jog at a leisurely pace, as you would on your normal training runs.

Give it a try and discover how this effective form of training can improve your speed, endurance and give you a fun break from your normal routine.