Choose Wisely My Friends

"Cindy" brought up an interesting question today.  How do I know how to break up my push ups?  Should I go 5-5, 4-3-3, 10 sets of 1, or just go for it banging out all 10 each set?  There probably isn't an exact answer, but the more experienced you become the more you are able to determine your sets, or another way to say it is: choose your pace. 
The simple fact of the matter is, when we start a workout, we think that will be us for the entire workout.  Shit, it feels good, there's nothing wrong with this pace, I got this all day!  If you care about being efficient, it's a necessity to understand that the you from minute 0-5, is NOT you from 15-20.  You metabolically/physiologically are a different human. 
As most people do, myself included, we say, "I get it I get it, but I really got this!"  Ten minutes later, and here's the crux:  Instead of you choosing your pace/sets, the fatigue zombie has infiltrated your layer and is making all the decisions now - you have no choice - GAME OVER.
So what are ways you can more accurately and intelligently approach workouts? 
(Side note - the assumption is that we are all here to enjoy our workouts and be fitter for them, which understanding our pace is crucial for.  But of course if you like to go all out and suffer with your head against the wall, by all means).
Again taking today for example, you could think, "what are my push ups going to look like at minute 15?"  From there decide your pace from the start.  If you know you'll quickly end up at 3-3-3-1, then start there!  
Another secret to pacing is when you ease into workouts at a pace that is appropriate and relevant to YOU, your body falls into a rhythm and flow, and things seem to happen easier.  On the other hand, if you do your first round in 40 seconds, and end up with 15 rounds, simple math will tell you you started too fast.  You started at a pace that simply was not YOU, it was someone else.  How can you ask your body to perform efficiently when the demands you put on it are beyond it's ability to sustain?
Believe me, if you've seen me exercise for time, this has always been my issue, going out too fast.  It's only taken 10 years, but now I'm truly starting to feel the benefit of KNOWING YOUR PACE. 
Efficiency breeds flow.  Flow increases performance.  Elevated performance is highly enjoyable and rewarding. 
Know your pace.

Dave's first Cindy today was fantastic.  Looks like he learned a lot!

Workout:

"Cindy"
20 minute AMRAP:
5 pull ups
10 push ups
15 squats