High Intensity Interval Training Part Two

I’m about to go for a run. First I’ll write this article and come back to write part three. One has to really believe in what one writes about! Living proof so to speak…

So I spoke about saving time. Isn’t that one of the themes of the western world today? I enjoy saving time – but I have a lot of trouble wasting time too. One aspect of life I enjoy saving time is exercising. Don’t get me wrong – I like to exercise. I like the feeling of being so puffed you can barely lift a finger. But I don’t like being so exhausted I can’t do anything even after an hour. And there is a difference!

This is where HIIT comes in. I do my half hour stint and come back puffed and red in the face. But after half an hour or so I’m back to normal – after a hot shower and a recovery shake. I used to run for quite a long time. I wouldn’t even have the energy to take a shower, let along make a shake. While it probably benefitted me – the lack of energy detracted from the benefits.

So that’s why I employ HIIT. HIIT stands for High Intensity Interval Training. This is the way I do it.

First I warm up for a bit. This could take between 10-15 mins, depending on how much I’ve run in the past and how cold it is! Usually around 12 minutes I start getting into the easy running mode. I like this mode because you’re just getting comfortable and breathing starts to settle down. This is where I like to pick it up a bit – because if you’re just comfortable, what’s the point of running? You’re doing it to get fit, or stay fit. You’re running to push yourself – not to stay comfortable!

If you run in suburban areas, its quite good. Usually streets have lamp posts. Once you hit that comfort zone, start eyeing up the lamp posts. Make a goal and set it. Get to a post and start sprinting. Continue this to the next post – or the one after it. Then slow to a jog. Your heart will be pumping hard out and you’ll be breathing hard but this is a sign that its working!

From there, repeat the same thing as many times as you can. Run, jog, sprint, jog, walk, run, walk, sprint, jog, run, walk – etc. Mix it up. Sprint then jog, then sprint then jog – whatever you want. Just keep the distances similar and go for it.

This also works well on a field. Run a few laps to warm up. Once you start your HIIT, do lengths. It’s a bit harder to do in cross country situations, or on the beach, or roads where there are no clear markers – but you’ll get used to the optimum length for your intervals!

Come back next week for part three that will explain why it’s a good idea to incorporate HIIT. I’m off for a run!

Tagged as: exhausted, optimum, saving time, warm up