This morning was a great workout. Quite possibly, the best I have had in recent memory. It marked the return of the 800s. Whoo hoo! After a rest day yesterday, I was ready to go this morning … ready to test my fitness.
My warm up was a brief, but aggressive 2 miles, to get the muscles loose and blood flowing. Next, I set off on the intervals. My goal was a minimum of 6 with little huffing and puffing after each interval. Here are the splits:
1st – 3:25
2nd - 3:26
3rd – 3:27
4th – 3:29
5th – 3:27
6th – 3:32
7th – 3:30
Unlike my previous interval workouts, I felt like I managed the pace well. The difference between high and low was 7 seconds. Usually it is about 15-17 seconds as I nearly sprint for the first couple intervals. This may be wrong, but in an effort to slow down the pace, after each interval I walk for 1 minute. Technically, I should be jogging for the same amount of time as the actual interval. However, since jogging does not slow my heart rate enough, I decided on walking (without a stop) during each. I’m still experimenting.
To finish off the workout, I did another 1.58-mile loop at a tempo pace for a total of 7 miles at 7:26. At no point did I feel my lungs want to leap out of my chest and my legs were light. Most importantly, I felt fit … legs moving, core tightening, balanced, arms moving slightly. It was a stellar morning.