In which I am an athlete

My favorite sport is sitting on my couch watching reality television.  Badminton comes in a close second.  But I have been hearing a lot about interval training, so I decided to check it out.  Interval training is "repetions of high speed/intensity work followed by periods of rest or low activity", according to my favorite source, Wikipedia.  This is usually applied to running or cycling, but can be used with any exercise.  Benefits include supposed "rapid" fat loss, especially in the mid-section (the big draw for me), as well as an increase in endurance.  

As a beginner, I read that I should start off with 6 sets of 30 second high intensity sprints followed with a 90 second recovery period.  You can look at a guideline on this page to see what might work for you.  Make sure you warm up first, then stretch thoroughly to avoid injury.  Last night when I got home, I put my workout clothes on and lightly jogged to the longest, least bumpy sidewalk in the neighborhood.  The area where I live is an obstacle course of cars, celebrities and people walking their dogs, so getting around at a quick pace can be tricky.  My biggest worry was spraining my ankle or falling and breaking my arm, so that was my focus for the first set of sprints.

Rep 1: Don't get hurt don't get hurt don't get hurt don't get hurt don't get hurt

Recovery: Whew.  I didn't get hurt.  I can do that again.  Of course I can do that again!

Rep 2: La la la! Easier than I thought.  I should probably go faster.  Hey, look out, buddy! What, do you think you can just back out of your driveway whenever you want??

Recovery: Ok, so that was a little more challenging.  This is a pretty good workout.

Rep 3: Faster, faster, faster - watch out for the dogs!! Watch out for the - HI PUPPY!!! Who's a good boy?  Who's a good boy!!!

Recovery: Hm.  It might be time to re-focus.  Wait, is that Hayden Panetierre?

Rep 4: Huh, huh, huh, huh, huh, huh, huh, huh, huh, huh, huh, huh, huh

Recovery:  Huh, huh, ok.  Huh, huh, huh.  Two more.  Huh.  I can do two more.

Rep 5: HUH HUH HUH HUH HUH HUH HUH HUH HUH HUH HUH HUH HUH HUH HUH!

Recovery: HUH. WHEEZE.  HUH. WHOO!! HUH. Ok. HUH. I don't know HUH. If I can HUH. Do a sixth. HUH HUH.

Rep 6: HUH HUH Nope.

Recovery: HUH WHEEZE.  HUH WHEEZE.  HUH.  That was HUH. A good HUH. First try. HUH HUH WHEEZE.

Badminton sounds great right now.