Run 524
Average pace: 5:36/km
Location: Burnaby Lake (CCW)
Start: 11:05 am
Distance: 10.02 km
Time: 56:18
Weather: Cloudy
Temp: 18ºC
Humidity: 69%
Wind: moderate
BPM: 159
Weight: 157.6 pounds
Total distance to date: 4083 km
Devices: Apple Watch, iPhone
Today I ran the same distance but in the opposite direction compared to Wednesday and managed an identical pace of 5:36/km. Not only that, even the total time of the two runs was basically the difference in a rounding error. Today it took me 56:18 minutes and on Wednesday it took me 56:17 minutes, a whopping one second difference.
What’s even more interesting (to me, anyway) is that I arrived at the identical pace through very different means. Wednesday’s run felt harder and I was tired by the end. Today’s run, under cloudy skies and a steady 18ºC was much more comfortable, so in theory today’s run should have been faster–in fact, I was expecting it to be.
The difference?
On Wednesday I started out a lot faster for the first three km and flagged a lot more for the final three. Today I started out slower but then fell into a much more even rhythm over the length of the run. The stronger finish, though, wasn’t enough to compensate for the slower start so the two runs, with greatly varying lap times, ended up with the near-exact same result.
I was a little disappointed but 5:36/km is still a good pace so I’m not exactly hopping mad over it. Also, the humidity was quite high, so despite the cooler temperature I still sweated more than I’d have preferred.
The usual trail closure at the Spruce Loop fork was in place but there was a second detour waiting for me near the 5K mark. “Closed for repairs” said the sign directing me away from the trail along the athletic field, right on the first corner. Over yonder I could see similar signs directing people away. Trucks and people were milling about at several points on the section of the trail. This struck me as curious, as they had just resurfaced the stretch just days ago. Maybe they did it wrong. I’ll find out soonish!
It meant I had to run across the field itself to continue on. Fortunately there was neither a soccer match in progress, an unexpected marmot hole waiting to snap my ankle or any other impediments. I did have to run past a nearby gathering of poopmonsters and one honked a few times, perhaps as a gang warning of sorts. I ignored it’s menacing squawk.
Running on grass actually feels a little weird when you’re used to gravel and dirt.
With the weather being worse there were fewer people out. Only one wayward dog today and no cyclists–hooray!
Except for the aforementioned sweating, I encountered no issues, so Week 2 of 10K runs is now done. I’m hoping to start Week 3 with a new pair of shoes as the right shoe in particular is starting to honk like a poopmonster.
