Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

As soon as we got that metronome my first thought was:  I can't imagine trying to run with that thing beeping the whole time.  I did want to be open-minded so my run/yoga class got an extra special treat last night.  Besides the fact that they got to run in single digit temps with wind chill (oops, really should have paid more attention to that forecast before shoving us out the door of the YMCA), they got to run with my little friend:  the Metronome.  

Just before toeing off, I fired it up and instantly the air was filled with little chirps at 180 beats per minute.  

I had my doubts...will keeping this thing on drive me insane?  Will it drive them all insane?  We took off and I kept up with the cadence at a comfortable pace for me (about a 9 minute mile).  On the dry pavement, I found it easy to keep up with beat of the little machine.  Once I crossed over onto icy, snowy sidewalk:  not so much.

I hung back and fell into step with some other ladies in class and asked them to try to keep the cadence.  They balked, "we can't run as fast as you! there is no way we can do that".  I explained to them you can keep this cadence whether you are at an 8 minute pace or a 10 minute pace.  Doubtful, we ran together.  No idle chit chat, just the sounds of our footfalls and the beep, beep, beep of my little friend.  Immediately they both noticed how taking a shorter stride felt better to them.  I looked down at my watch and we were still at a 10 minute pace.  Too cool!  I did shut it off for the last mile.  Unfortunately, I can't do 2 things at once and it was hard to carry on a conversation with my friend interrupting me with his beep, beep, beeping.  But I'll let him join me on my future runs...he's not SO bad...