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The 15 Minute Principle
Jan. 13th, 2007 01:15 pmThe 15 minute principle of running (and by extension, other exercise, or any tedious task) is that, if you don't feel like running (but know that you should), then just do it for 15 minutes. 15 minutes is better then nothing, and odds are, after the 15 minutes are up, you'll just keep going until you would have normally finished. It's basically a rule for getting started.
Sometimes being tired, or lazy or apathetic, masquerades as being sick or injured. The 15 minute rule separates these two categories: The work will dispel regular run-of-the-mill blah feelings. Conversely, actual sickness or injury will manifest itself long before the 15 minutes are up. An example would be the cold. I've applied the 15 minute principle to running when it's Ass-Biting Cold out. I usually get about a block away from the house when I realize "Nope it really is too cold to run, better head back".
I can't actually remember applying the 15 minute principle and turning back after 15 minutes. It's always all-or-nothing.
Today was a use the 15-minute principle day. This morning's (for a sufficiently wide definition of "morning") run ended up being quite pleasant, and I went 50 minutes rather then just 15. It's about -8 in Cowtown with a light snow. The sidewalks are clear except for a dusting of snow. This made it just slippery enough that I had to slow my pace about 10%, but not actually risk going ass-over-tea-kettle. The temperature was cold enough I had to layer up, but I could still breath comfortably. Finally, I pretty much had the streets to myself.
For the last couple of days, I've been smelling ketosis on my breath, so I'm burning fat. Weight Watchers confirms this as I've lost 2.4 pounds since Christmas. I seem to be firmly back into the program after the debacle of holiday depression binge eating and ham string injury induced lack of exercise. I still have a way to go until I'm back to my low point last spring (66 pounds off was my all-time low. I'm currently at 54. Ultimately I want to be 75 pounds off). For the first time in months I'm feeling like that goal is attainable again. I've just got to remember to stick with what works and that slow and steady wins this race.
Sometimes being tired, or lazy or apathetic, masquerades as being sick or injured. The 15 minute rule separates these two categories: The work will dispel regular run-of-the-mill blah feelings. Conversely, actual sickness or injury will manifest itself long before the 15 minutes are up. An example would be the cold. I've applied the 15 minute principle to running when it's Ass-Biting Cold out. I usually get about a block away from the house when I realize "Nope it really is too cold to run, better head back".
I can't actually remember applying the 15 minute principle and turning back after 15 minutes. It's always all-or-nothing.
Today was a use the 15-minute principle day. This morning's (for a sufficiently wide definition of "morning") run ended up being quite pleasant, and I went 50 minutes rather then just 15. It's about -8 in Cowtown with a light snow. The sidewalks are clear except for a dusting of snow. This made it just slippery enough that I had to slow my pace about 10%, but not actually risk going ass-over-tea-kettle. The temperature was cold enough I had to layer up, but I could still breath comfortably. Finally, I pretty much had the streets to myself.
For the last couple of days, I've been smelling ketosis on my breath, so I'm burning fat. Weight Watchers confirms this as I've lost 2.4 pounds since Christmas. I seem to be firmly back into the program after the debacle of holiday depression binge eating and ham string injury induced lack of exercise. I still have a way to go until I'm back to my low point last spring (66 pounds off was my all-time low. I'm currently at 54. Ultimately I want to be 75 pounds off). For the first time in months I'm feeling like that goal is attainable again. I've just got to remember to stick with what works and that slow and steady wins this race.
