Our trainers told us we need to start incorporating hills or sprints into our mid-week runs so that we build more muscle mass. MORE muscle mass? My quads have already increased by two inches each (and I've gained five pounds). Okay, fine.....
Last week I decided to start doing sprints. Here was my run:
1.25 miles uphill to park
10 minutes of sprints
1.25 miles downhill to car
Those sprints nearly killed me! I was all set to do 10 sprints but quit after 8. Truth be told, I'm lucky I didn't quit after two! Here's what my 25 meter sprints looked like:
25 seconds of sprinting
45 seconds of recovery (broken down as follows: 15 seconds of seeing black spots, 20 seconds of fighting the urge to throw up, 10 seconds to get my heart rate down)
I asked Mike if was normal to want to throw up after sprints and he said I was doing them correctly! Now, I'm no expert, but shouldn't the time spent sprinting be roughly equal to the recovery time, if not longer?
I was sore for two days. I haven't quite convinced myself to go again. I know I'm being a wuss, but maybe I should just stick to hills? I know sprinting really helps build muscle, but I really hate it :(
Why Team in Training
Continuing cancer research to find advanced treatments for the disease is essential to utimately curing cancer. Since its formation in 1949, Team in Training has invested more than $600 million in research to leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. At least 75% of the money raised by participants goes directly towards this research.
When Mike and I decided we wanted to train to run a half-marathon, we found that Team in Training was a great fit. By receiving thorough training and guidance, we would be given all the tools necessary to run our first endurance race. The best part: we would raise money for cancer research! Cancer has touched both of our families: in addition to my dad's cancer, we've each lost a grandparent to the disease. We have an investment in cancer research, for our own long-term health!
Oh, and the bonus? I get to go to Seattle for the half-marathon!
To find out more about The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, please visit their website. To find out how Team in Training allocates donation funds, click here.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Sprints vs. Hills
Posted by Christy at 7:12 AM
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