Pyramid Interval Training

I've been trying something new lately in regards to running.  I call it "pyramid interval training".  Right now, the workout looks like this:

• 1 x 800 meters
• 2 x 400 meters
• 2 x 100 meters
• 1 x 50 meters

I try to run each interval at a solid pace, getting progressively faster as the distances get shorter.  My rest period between intervals is around 2 minutes, though I will work to slowly decrease this.

This type of interval training isn't exactly original - it has been around for decades under different names.  Former world record holder Sebastian Coe called his version of this "multi-paced training".  The idea was to work a variety of running paces within one interval session.  This was in comparison to more traditional types of interval training where roughly the same pace is used throughout the session (for example, 6 x 400 meters at about the same speed).

I'm hoping that the variety within my pyramid interval training will provide more benefits as compared to just working at one pace.  The main question for me was whether I should start with the longer distances and work my way down, or do the reverse.  I decided to go in the direction of increasing speed/shorteneing the distance because this would be close to that of a Stone Age hunt.  If a hunter-gatherer was stalking prey, it's likely that they would keep increasing the pace and finish with a final sprint as they closed in.