10 Minutes EASY

I almost didn't get my run in yesterday. As is typical on Tuesday, we were caught up in school work and projects. I was in the midst of making an early dinner (tomato dill soup) when I glanced at the clock, it was 3:40 p.m. and we needed to depart at 5:00 to make it to the kids' Taekwondo class. It was crunch time. Sweetie had just started playing her new Plants vs Zombies game as a reward for getting her school work completed - Buddy was engrossed in observing her play. It was the perfect time.

I thereby jumped on the treadmill and opted to do the first speed workout of my new plan. I put one together by meshing a few others - FIRST, Runner's World, and Pfitz - essentially creating my own, much as I have always done. As prescribed, I was to run 10 min easy warm-up, followed by the main set of 4 x 400, and finishing with another 10 min easy. As I haven't really been running, I opted to go with a 10 minute pace on the warm-up and cool-down. For the 400s, I had neglected to look up my training pace so I just went with 8:00 min miles.

I barely had enough time to squeeze it all in when it was time to go. A friend posted on Facebook that the Footzone Performance Group (a training group I'd love to join if I didn't have family responsibilities) also resumed their workouts ... they did 10 repeat 400s. I wish I had done more but I did what I could, what I had time for and that is what is important.

This morning, I read in the weekly newsletter from Footzone their tip for the month is 10 Minutes EASY. "We all get pressed for time and try to squeeze the longest possible workout into our lunch hour. Sometimes you're just so excited to get out the door that you can't help but go full on. This month's tip is simple: don't. Take the first 10 minutes of any activity and GO EASY. REALLY EASY! This is the best possible way to warm up and actually enjoy your run, walk or ski. Plus, you won't get any less out of your workout. If you're fanatical about pace or heart-rate or whatever, you can always start your watch after the first 10 minutes. You make the rules, but give your body that time to settle in for what's ahead."

I gave myself a little pat on the back. That is just what I did.

OSN :: 700m warm-up; 6 x 25m breaststroke drill; and 3 x (50, 100, 150, 200) = 23500m