Tempo Tantrum
/Sometimes running for 40+ minutes just really makes me crazy!
Lately I'm loving the 20 minute tempo run. I've been busy exploring new business ventures – very exciting!! Once the details are more finalized I'll be sharing them with you soon!
Working and training late doesn't leave much time for my own workout so when I want a quick and effective metabolic workout I often do a tempo run!
My running buddy Sarah and I have done this 4.2 km tempo – 6 km total loop twice now this summer.
The warm-up is 10 minutes to the start and the finish is 5 minutes away from Sarah's house for an obligatory cappuccino post run treat.
Yesterday I wasn't feeling the outdoor run, I didn't have much time to spare so I decided to head down to the building gym and hop on a treadmill there to see if I could beat our previous run distance.
20 Minute Tempo Run
0 – 5
7.5 mph
5 – 10
9.0 mph
10 – 15
9.2 mph
15 – 20
9.5 mph
I did! I ran 4.7 km in 20 minutes. This probably evens out because I didn't have any hills to run over so I'm happy with calling it the same!
Tempos are a great way to get in a workout and not spend hours at the gym. The key though is they need to be INTENSE. A tempo isn't a fast jog, it's a near sprint. It's really tough to get used to tempo because they are so physically hard. My rule of thumb is you should want to quit after 8 minutes!
Most often I start my clients out on a 10 minute tempo and then we work up to 20. Unless you're training for a long race 20 minutes is probably the longest tempo you'll need! Whew!
Have you guys tried runs like this?
Do you know any good treadmill workouts similar to mine?