I've noted that many of my fellow blends do what I have heard referred to as the "pyramid" run. I'm sure it has all kinds of schmaltzy names in the fitness world, but this is the one I see most commonly. Yesterday afternoon, I decided to give it a try. I'm not sure if I completed a true pyramid workout, but here's how I kicked my butt into gear after almost a week out of the gym:
2 minutes on level 2.0
3 minutes on level 3.0
4 minutes on level 4.0
5 minutes on level 5.0
6 minutes on level 6.0
(This was where I really started to feel the burn!)
(This was where I really started to feel the burn!)
5 minutes on level 5.0
4 minutes on level 4.0
3 minutes on level 3.0
2 minutes on level 2.0
1 minute on level 1.0
*Level = pace
I tacked on that last minute to round out my run at exactly 35 minutes. At this pace, I ran 2.41 miles, which felt pretty darn gentle to me. I've become accustomed to running about 3.2 miles in 37-39 minutes. I did like, however, that this workout incorporated fairly gradual progression, a warm-up, and a cool-down. I did not use any incline, so when I try the pyramid run again, I will probably choose to use an incline. I based my pyramid workout very loosely on a workout I borrowed from Julie. Man, did it feel good to get my bod sweatin' and my heart pumpin' again!
Seasoned runners:
Tips for a better-slash-more-accurate pyramid workout?
Tips for a more difficult pyramid workout?
P.S. When you're away from the gym (or your normal exercise routine) for more than a few days, do you miss it? Is it hard to get back into the swing of things, or can you fall back into it easily?
[Edit to add: This morning I completed the same workout on a 1.0 incline. I skipped the 1 minute on a 1.0 pace at the end, for a 34-minute workout. This changed my workout in that I burned about 20 more calories, though I ran 0.02 miles less than yesterday. The incline makes a difference, my friends. I felt it!]
Seasoned runners:
Tips for a better-slash-more-accurate pyramid workout?
Tips for a more difficult pyramid workout?
P.S. When you're away from the gym (or your normal exercise routine) for more than a few days, do you miss it? Is it hard to get back into the swing of things, or can you fall back into it easily?
[Edit to add: This morning I completed the same workout on a 1.0 incline. I skipped the 1 minute on a 1.0 pace at the end, for a 34-minute workout. This changed my workout in that I burned about 20 more calories, though I ran 0.02 miles less than yesterday. The incline makes a difference, my friends. I felt it!]
2 comments:
I've never hear of this pyramid run but it sounds interesting. I know what I'm doing at the gym tonight!
I think I'm going to try it out again! It gave me a good workout without leaving me exhausted, and it had plenty of room to tamper with different elements. I'm eager to hear what you think!
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