Run 481
Average pace: 5:43/km
Location: Burnaby Lake (CW)
Distance: 5.06 km
Time: 29:00
Weather: Cloudy
Temp: 5ºC
Wind: light to moderate
BPM: 165
Stride: n/a
Weight: 164 pounds
Total distance to date: 3795 km
Devices/apps: Apple Watch, iPhone
For the first time in 82 days, I ran outside. Like, actually outside. Outdoors. In nature and stuff.
It was nice.
Haven’t walked the Brunette River trail earlier in the day I knew the snow had retreated a lot more than I’d expected over the past week. The third patch near the far end of the trail was completely gone and the remaining two patches had shrunk enough that there were comfortably wide paths to avoid the snow. I logically concluded that this meant Burnaby Lake, which I had judged better for running last weekend, would be even better.
My plan was thus: Walk to the lake, then keep walking for 5 km clockwise along the south shore, since I haven’t seen it in those 82 days. I’d then run the remainder, exit the park and head to the Production Way SkyTrain station for a triumphant ride home.
I started walking along Avalon Trail and ominously came across snow quickly. It wasn’t much–a few steps to get by–and the snow was both crunchy and yielding, so not slippery. As I approached the first km I asked myself, “I’ve already walked nearly 5K at this point. Do I want to walk another 4K before even starting my run?” The answer was, “Hell no.”
I started my run.
I wrapped up shortly after climbing the hill past Still Creek, where the path turns onto the Cottonwood Trail. Walking the rest didn’t seem as intimidating at that point.
The weather was cool, hovering around 5ºC, and while clouds gathered as I ran, it remained dry. The trail itself was still muddy and wet enough to leave my legs streaked with dirt. I felt macho.
Despite the chilly conditions, there were quite a few people out, walkers and runner alike. I don’t normally run on Saturdays so this may be typical. The people didn’t pose any particular hazards in terms of navigation.
What did pose a hazard was, surprisingly, not the snow. The south side of the trail did have numerous patches but like the ones on the Avalon trail, they were small and not slippery, so I was able to run over them. So yes, I technically ran in the snow. And the north side of the trail was, unlike last weekend, completely devoid of snow. The patch at Still Creek was gone along with every other. It was a pleasant surprise.
Less pleasant were the numerous fallen trees. Most were either already cut up into blocks or fell alongside rather than over the trail, though a few were teetering ominously. One large tree had a snapped branch, the end of which looked like it had already come free, leaving another large and pointy piece dangling above the path like the proverbial Sword of Damocles. I skirted off to one side as I passed–better safe than stuck with a giant pointy piece of wood in your skull. Another tree had bent over the trail, forming an arch. It looked spectacular. It also looked like it wasn’t going to last. Again, I dashed quickly under it.
The worst bits, though, were the bramble. In many places, large clumps of bramble had collapsed on the trail, as if they had heavily sighed, given up and then surrendered and thrown themselves at the mercy of the park workers. Who then hacked them up. The collapses were sometimes caused by one or more trees falling on them, pushing them forward and in other cases, it may have been the weight of the snow stuck to them and frozen for weeks that led to them breaking.
Most of the debris was cleared off the trail but in a few places the bramble was almost but not quite collapsed, leering over the trail rudely and forcing you to dodge around. One short leg had this on both sides. It felt like running through a bunch of spectral fingers trying to grab you from all sides.
My pace of 5:43/km is slow for a 5K but perfectly in line with what I’d expect after nearly three months of no outdoor runs. More importantly, it just felt good to get outside and run on an actual trail, to feel the shifting terrain under my feet, to adjust my pace without having to press buttons. I’m reasonably confident that any more snow will be in the form of dustings that shouldn’t interfere, and with Daylight Saving Time coming in a few weeks, it won’t be long until I can resume runs after work.
All in all, a good if brambly time today.
I am going to be very sore tomorrow, though. I’m already a little sore today. I’m currently at 33,301 steps according to the Apple Watch. That’s a lot. Which reminds me, I need new walking shoes. Soon™.
