Intense vs Intenisity

I started thinking about this for some reason when I started thinking about interval training.   I've always been a little intimidated by high intensity workouts even though they take less time.  I've been comfortable with enduring discomfort for long periods of time and been ok with being slow.  But due to that I tend to enter races that are either really short (5k or sprint triathlon) or races that are long (Ironmant, half and full marathon).  But the Olympic Distance triathlon and distances in running like a 10k have always been my Achilles heel.   So I had a talk with myself and told myself that I need to get comfortable with interval training and try a 10k and an Olympic tri this year without feeling it's a lost cause.

I think part of my problem is that I've always thought intense and intensity meant pretty much the same thing.  Lately there is a difference:
Intense = In your face, always on high alert, big personality or big goal, overwhelming, tiring
Intensity = Level of output, short but focused, quick way to see big results, satisfying, hard yet attainable

So while I may dislike intense maybe I can become good friends with intensity!!!

I did a google image search and see the difference in what I found for each ;-)

Intensity

Intense

On a side note last weekend it was the weirdest thing.  It was a nice sunny day out and I met up with some friends for a bike ride.  When I got home I jumped in the shower and all of a sudden became chilled.  I didn't want to get out of the shower and kept making the water hotter.  When I got out I couldn't get warm.  The rest of the night I felt like death horrible chills, queasy stomach couldn't eat all day.  achy bones, sensitive skin.  All night I was sweating like crazy.  Then the next morning I felt fine other than tired.  Weird little bug.  The next day it hit my husband and the day after that my dad.  As long as our little kiddo doesn't get it I'll be happy.  It was quick, but it was intense! :-)

Happy Training!!!