change of pace

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

change′ of pace′, 

1. a temporary shift or variation in a normal routine or regular pattern of activity:
   Reading a mystery novel has been a real change of pace for me.
Also called change-up  (chānj′up′). [Baseball.] a ball that is thrown by a pitcher with the same motion as for a fastball but that travels with less speed, making the pitch more difficult for the batter to time.
• 1935–40