Probably a stupid question...

[Slowstart]

Today was my first run since graduation and I decided to use the Nike fitness feature on my ipod for the first time.

I programmed in 40 minutes (5 minutes warm up and cool down with a 30 minute run time).

At the end of the run it gave me statistics but of course all figures included the warm up and cool down so affected my distance and speed.

How does everyone else record their progress?

Do you warm up before starting your programmed run and finish monitoring it before you cool down or do you include everything in your time and distance?

I don't want to get bogged down in numbers but I do want to be able to look back in the weeks to come and see just how much I have improved.

[Tomas Graduate]

When I did the programme, I included everything. Then after graduating I wanted to track my speed improvement as well as the distance, so I realised that if I include the warm up and cool down, then the average speed for the workout drops (naturally). So I have excluded warm up and cool down ever since, but I do include any walking breaks (as they allow me to catch my breath and relax a little, so they have a direct impact on the run).

[Slowstart Graduate in reply to Tomas]

That makes perfect sense to me. Thank you.

Also does the warm up time get shorter as you get fitter and when the weather is warmer? It's just that I saw another runner a few days ago that hardly warmed up at all, although they may have done some warm up indoors

[davelinks Graduate]

Warm up first then cool down after the distance

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to davelinks]

How is your foot.. ?

[Slowstart Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

My foot?

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Slowstart]

Sorry.. wrong person.. wrong message Duh

Should have said.., I agree with davelinks.. warm up first-cool down after the distance!

Put my confusion down to old age and decrepitude

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Doesn't matter so long as you are consistent - you will see you progress either way!

[Slowstart Graduate]

Thanks, I don't have a heart rate monitor so will stick to the 5 minutes warm up for now.

I might experiment with this later when I understand my body a bit more.