The Post Holiday Workout
The day after Christmas is a tough day to want to run. I’d been sitting around for a few days, eating the most backwards food for my goals, and generally losing all momentum and motivation. I’m also out of town and would have to do the workout on the road rather than a bark trail. However, like my tagline reads, I’m committed.
My wife decided to come with me today, and I was really scared she was going to destroy me in the sprints, exposing me for the slow, not-trying-very-hard faker I was. Sprinting is much more subjective than I ever would have believed, and I’ve often wondered how hard I am pushing it. Would others blow right past me and mock my weak efforts? Am I really giving it the amount of effort I should?
Well, I’m happy to say that I did run faster than my wife, who is in much better shape than me. We stayed pretty steady for the first interval, but for the rest of the workout, I continually led her and stayed in front. As I said earlier, this was not for my glory, and I take no personal satisfaction in being faster than her, rather, a personal relief that she struggles to sprint for that long, too, and that I was pushing myself a reasonable amount.
Immediately after, we were both breathing hard, and both took to the stretching slowly. She’s said since then that her body is very sore, and that she’s really impressed that I’m sticking with it. Interval training isn’t easy, but it’s fast, and that’s what I’m looking for.
We did six intervals today, but had to take a bit of time between the first and second because my iPod was giving me trouble. We also ran it out after for the cool down and spent about 23 minutes total. I don’t have a scale where I’m staying, but I imagine my weight is slightly up from last week due to the food I ate over Christmas.
Feb 21st 2008
hi how long should hiit last on a bike?
May 10th 2008
I use to be just like that. I talked to this personal trainer one day and he said the best way to stay motivated is to make a journal of exactly what you do every single day. Honestly it really work when I looked at it on paper it was different. When you see no improvement on paper in terms of reps, sets, and distance and haven’t done anything you feel like a lazy asshole that day then get motivated to get on them running shoes and pull out the wieghts.
Aug 14th 2008
Hi, I did a google on HIIT as I want to add it to my routine. Like you, I hated running. Notice the past tense. I now like running because I’m now on a hormonally balanced diet called the Zone Diet. You can google it for more information, but it is a moderate, balanced diet that yields amazing results. Joslin Diabetes Centers recommends a diet that is almost identical. Dr. Sears, the creator, has worked with athletes that have brought home 24 gold medals. Jenny Thompson was the most prolific Zoner medalist and her count was just surpassed by Michael Phelps a day or two ago.
Christian Vande Velde is a Zoner - he recently finished 5th in the Tour de France.
I’d also recommend spending some google time on “pose running.” It has helped me a lot, but takes some time to get your calf muscle strong enough to support the work load.
I’m a decade your senior and I feel better than ever - and I mean this factually. I really really do feel better than ever. I effortlessly lost 25+ lbs of fat while adding ~70 lbs to my bench press - I started pretty weak.
My foundation is the Zone Diet, pose running is a great tool and I hope to add HIIT as another tool in my arsenal.
Best of luck in your exercise adventures.