Lunchtime cardio blast

You know those days when you just don't have time before or after work to hit the gym or a workout class (or don't want to wake up early for that matter)? Well, that's when I resort to a quick lunchtime workout. While it sounds like a hassle, I actually enjoy these little blasts of exercise!

While I can't rely on these short workouts for all of my race training, it definitely helps on those days I need to blow off steam or just fit in a workout. I also find that I enjoy the challenge of fitting in a lot of exercise into a small window of time.

Here's what I crammed in today:
5 min abs/push ups (alternating push ups and ab pikes on the ball)
25 min treadmill intervals (4 x 3-6% grade hills, 2-5 min each + 2 speed blasts)
11 min spinning (1 minute warm up, 9 mill gradual hill climb, 1 min cool down)
5 min streeeetch

I have the luxury of being able to walk to the gym in 7 minutes, but I realize that not everyone is so lucky. On days it's nice outside, you could get a similarly great workout in while also getting some Vitamin D! Just head for a running path, neighborhood with fun houses to look at, or some hills and you could easily get in an interval workout with some push ups/abs/lunges tacked on at the end.

And yes, I'm totally fine with taking a "sink bath" and just wiping down your face, arms and legs after a run as my office doesn't have a shower. No shower needed. Thanks, Emily for also believing you don't have to shower after a lunch run. :)

Do you love/hate the treadmill? I actually don't mind it most of the time, but I use one only a few times a month. My longest run on the t-mill was 11 miles one holiday break when I just didn't feel like being outside and I had to get my training run in. It works in a pinch!