Outdoor runs

I once again eye my iPod with suspicion. Even though I clocked in an entirely decent 4:54 for the first km of my run today it seemed to announce it past the mark where 1 km would physically be at. I am more convinced that the Nike+ sensor is not working quite right. I plan on doing a calibration at Kerrisdale Park next week. I also have a back-up sensor if I find the current one is indeed wonky.

And speaking of wonky, I abandoned my run early today, covering only 7.26 km instead of the usual 10. Around the 3-4 km mark I began feeling quite logie but this is not unusual, it’s where I typically lose the initial burst of steam. I pressed on as I normally do but around 6 km I began feeling cramping in my lungs. This happens occasionally as well and typically goes away fairly quickly and while it doesn’t exactly feel spiffy, it usually doesn’t affect my overall time or performance. Today, though, it was persisting through the 7 km mark and I found my breath hitching slightly. I’ve long since learned that if there’s any pain in a workout that persists you don’t ignore it, and so I stopped the run. I’ll shoot for the full 10 km on Monday and console myself that this run came at the end of my first week back to working out every day except Saturday.

On the plus side, the weather was gorgeous. It was about 10ºC and sunny. Shortly into the run I actually took my jacket off because of the sun. My overall performance was moving along decently and I was probably on target to beat my previous average pace of 5:31/km.

Truncated results:

Total distance: 7.26 km
Best km: 4:54/km
Average km: 5:25/km

And here’s a pictorial example of what the conditions are like at China Creek Park right now, in the middle of February and with the Winter Olympics in full swing here in Vancouver:

Because of workshops this week taking place in my usual afternoon jogging time I am switching over to what is a (relatively) early morning running schedule for this week.

I got out at 9:30 a.m. and it was 5ºC with some high cloud that gave way to sun toward the end of the run. The trail was dry but the muddy parts were a bit slick.

Despite the feeling that I was dogging it after the previous day’s workout with 15 pound dumbbells, I managed to shave 3 seconds off my previous average pace, bringing it down to 5:31/km. Still way off my 5:23 runs, but I’m heading in the right direction again. For now, at least.

Results:

Total distance: 10.02 km (previous: 10.02 km)
Average time/km: 5:31/km (previous: 5:34/km)
Best time/km: 5:01/km (previous: 4:59/km)

With the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics mere hours away, I ran for the second time post-weight lifting resumption. I was hoping to at least equal my 5:29 pace but fell short and only managed 5:34. What’s odd is that I actually felt pretty good for the run and felt I had a fairly good start, only to find I barely came in under 5 minutes. I find it hard to believe that I was nearly 10 seconds off the starting pace and yes, I’m almost ready to blame the iPod/sensor for not tracking things properly. 😛 I plan to calibrate it soon at the track at Kerrisdale Park, just to be on the safe side.

The Good: I dodged the rain again, though the sky was dark and foreboding and it was very mild once again, 10ºC. I noticed petals on the trail and realized that the trees along the edge of the park are beginning to bud and flower. As noted above, I had no particular problems during the run and the stiffness from the weightlifting didn’t seem to be a factor.

The Bad: Despite all the positives, I was still slower than I felt I should have been. If these speeds continue into next week I am not going to be very happy and when I’m not very happy, well, nothing really happens, but I still hate it.

Results:

Total distance: 10.02 km (previous: 10.02 km)
Average time/km: 5:34/km (previous: 5:29/km)
Best time/km: 4:59/km (previous: 4:51/km)

Today was my first run as part of my new weights/running combo where I alternate weight-lifting one day with running the next. I was still sore from my workout (see previous post) and it affected my run, as expected.

Conditions were a mixed bag — mild but breezy and with rain starting partway through — but the trail was in good shape, with no puddles and the mud being relatively firm. As expected, my pace was pretty slow. The first km clocked in at a downright leisurely 5:14/km, more than 20 seconds off my current pace. Because of the soreness I opted to cut the run down to 5k and even then my overall pace was only 5:36/km, worse than a slower 10k run. I expect things will improve on Friday when I am closer to my usual limber self.

No strange objects or other incidents to otherwise report during the run. There was a slow shuffle-jogger that I passed a few times, but that was about it.

Pretty much the same story. Somehow I lagged again and finished with the same slower pace as my previous run – 5:29/km. It’s not bad, really, but disappointing after two 5:23 runs.

Weather was quite mild — 10ºC — and I wore my shorts for the first time since the fall. A single layer would have sufficed, as well.

Another good start, so-so finish. Trail was a bit muddy and I had to bypass the SE corner but overall not too bad.

Total distance: 10.02 km (previous: 10.03 km)
Average time/km: 5:29/km (previous: 5:29/km)
Best time/km: 4:51/km (previous: 4:50/km)

Clouds for the first few km, sunny the rest and the usual 8ºC. Because of the rains a few days earlier large stretches of the trail were muddy and I’m going to blame that for my slower pace. Yeah, that’s it.

No other joggers at all this time, which is rare, especially given the weather. I started strong with my best first km yet – 4:50 min. — but began lagging after the first several km and despite an effort at the end to tighten the pace, I ended up with an average of 5:29/km vs. 5:23/km on the two runs previous. Overall this run was 54 seconds slower, coming in close to 55 minutes instead of under 54. I’m not sure why I was that much slower. Just unmotivated, perhaps. It was still a solid run, though.

Total distance: 10.03 km (previous: 10.03 km)
Average time/km: 5:29/km (previous: 5:23/km)
Best time/km: 4:50/km (previous: 4:51/km) <– best to date

Temperature-wise, today’s run was pretty much what has been the usual lately — right around 8ºC. I wasn’t able to keep dodging the precipitation, though, as a light rain was falling. The trail was squishy in several spots as a result but good overall.

I started out briskly and in fact had my first sub-5 minute km, not just once but twice! The pace slowed a bit through the middle but it still felt good and I did my best to pick it up for the last km or so. The midway point I experienced some cramping in my lungs (probably pushing a little too aggressively) but it passed after a few minutes and didn’t affect my run.

The deja vu part was when I looked at my results afterward: I ran the exact same distance, had the exact same average pace and bested my previous (best) time by a mere second. I call it my Groundhog Day run, where everything went nearly exactly as before.

Instead of midget women there were bearded men playing soccer today (well, at least one had a beard) and just as the previous time, the ball was kicked onto the path ahead of me, only once, like it was a reminder to keep a lookout.

Results:

Total distance: 10.03 km (previous: 10.03 km)
Average time/km: 5:23/km (previous: 5:23/km) <– best to date (again)
Best time/km: 4:51/km (previous: 5:02/km) <– best to date

Today I did not feel like running. I even thought about skipping it. I didn’t have a good reason, I just didn’t feel like bothering. But I did and, naturally, had my best 10k run to date!

I have shaved off close to five minutes from my first 10k run on December 29th (just under a month ago) and I’m pretty pleased with that. Today I worked to maintain a solid pace throughout and whenever I felt like I was starting to plod I kicked it up a notch or two. It seemed to work.

It was mild and cloudy, though the sun came out for the last kilometer. At the SW corner I could smell some of that ol’ wacky tabacky and it wasn’t until my third trip by that I noticed a pair of teens perched at the top of the slide enjoying some of BC’s finest. Their mellow was definitely harshed when a throng of schoolkids from gym class descended on the playground, though.

The trail was still in good shape despite an overnight rain but it was covered in white stuff as seen below:

(That’s presumably where they were loading the powder, it wasn’t quite as thick on the trail itself.)

My thumbs are anything but green so I don’t know if this is weed killer or what but I shall find out!

And when the natural splendor of the park and being outdoors isn’t providing enough entertainment:

Results:

Total distance: 10.03 km (previous: 10.02 km)
Average time/km: 5:23/km (previous: 5:30/km) <– best to date
Best time/km: 5:02/km (previous: 5:03/km) <– also best to date

It was around 6ºC today and overcast, with the clouds ripe with the promise of rain. Fortunately I beat the precipitation, which began shortly after I returned home.

Conditions were a nice mix — the trail was in good shape, there was a light breeze, it was warm enough to doff the gloves yet cool enough to keep me from heating up too much with two layers (less sweating, yay). The field was occupied with a bunch of midget women playing soccer and since the trail is a reasonable distance away from the soccer field I felt fairly safe from wayward balls — until one rolled in front of me midway through my run. Fortunately a slowly rolling ball is not much of an obstacle.

There were several joggers out, as expected on a Sunday afternoon and one was about half a lap ahead of me when I began. He was wearing a pair of brown shorts over dark tights, which to me seems to say “I don’t like the way the tights make my private bits bulge out so I’ll wear these shorts to cover up” which is fair, I guess. I just wear tights that aren’t really that tight.

As my run progressed I eventually began closing the distance with shorts ‘n tights guy (SNTG) but just as I got within reach of passing him he pulled that infamous maneuver one sees on the road: you go to pass someone who has been driving at a steady rate and just as you make your move, they speed up. He did so and I kept pace behind him. Oddly, it was at the NE corner of the trail where there is a small uphill part that I did eventually pass him. Most people slow down here but I had a good head of steam coming out of the dip before it. Once past, I kept up a good pace and he seemed to end his run shortly after, making me the winner by my own arbitrary rules. Hooray!

This little bit of competitiveness helped me post my best 10k yet — some three minutes faster than my first 10k back on December 29th.

Also, there was a new sign up on the fence behind one of the two baseball diamonds:

At first I thought it was an exhortation to join the Communist Party, what with the “wear red” and “make noise” (against the bourgeoisie, no doubt) but it looks like the City of Vancouver’s attempt to instill some Olympic pride without actually mentioning the Olympics (I assume they can’t for this kind of advertisement). So the key to showing our “true colours” to the world is to paint our faces red and run around waving flags while shouting like madmen. Seems about right.

Results:

Total distance: 10.02 km (previous: 10.03 km)
Average time/km: 5:30/km (previous: 5:39/km) <– best to date
Best time/km: 5:03/km (previous: 5:04/km) <– also best to date

With the Winter Olympics mere weeks away they are trucking in “emergency snow” to make sure the slopes have enough for the events. Meanwhile down here it was another very mild day with the bonus of being sunny, too. Normally when the sun is out in January it is accompanied by briskly cold temperatures but today you could actually feel the warmth from it. Thanks, El Niño!

If i had known it was going to be so warm I’d have worn just a t-shirt and shorts and been fine — much like the 25 year old-ish runner who suddenly sprinted by me at around the 2-3k mark. I vainly tried to keep up with him but he was simply too fast and he maintained his pace for quite a distance, nearly opening up a half lap on me. But as is the case with all of these speedy types, he did a few laps and promptly left. It’s very tortoise and the hare to me (I am, as you might guess, not the hare).

Overall the run was very solid but nothing remarkable. I didn’t go in with the intention of setting a personal best in either speed or distance so the consistent performance is good for me. The trail had dried a bit more and the little mud left was starting to solidify. if the forecast is accurate that will be changing overnight, though.

The last few km my performance was fairly consistent and I mainly owe that to passing another jogger and then maintaining speed when I saw his shadow threatening to catch up. I was not going to allow that!

Results:

Total distance: 10.03 km (previous: 10.04 km)
Average time/km: 5:39/km (previous: 5:39/km)
Best time/km: 5:04/km (previous: 5:04/km)

Yes, two of the stats were identical. Talk about consistency.

Technically spring is still over two months away but today’s run under an overcast sky with the temperature at 10ºC felt pretty damn close. In fact, my hands were sweating so much that I took the gloves off (!) at the halfway point. I probably could have worn a t-shirt and shorts.

I had a very fast start and could tell by my stride — nice long steps but still comfortable. I can only imagine my times if I could maintain that pace. 😛 While i still slowed down as I progressed I did well overall, so I’m pleased with the result.

The trail was dry but still muddy in patches. Perfectly fine for the run. Nothing unusual to report today, apart from the return of one shopping cart. It was sitting next to the port-o-potty as if waiting for its owner to come out but I never saw anyone claim it.

Oh, and I did my first dipsy-doodle today. During the last 400m or so I reached into my pocket to grab the nano, as I usually hold it in my hand for the final stretch. I managed to pull the glove out of the pocket and dropped it, then had to decide how to retrieve it without impacting my time. I did a 360 and without trying to slow my pace, came back up to it and scooped it up without stopping. This may seem a minor thing but given my usual level of coordination it left me impressed.

Results:

Total distance: 10.04 km (previous: 10.53 km)
Average time/km: 5:39/km (previous: 5:45/km)
Best time/km: 5:04/km (previous: 5:23/km)

The best part about today’s run was no freakin’ rain. I thought the piles of snow were bad last winter but days of torrential rain don’t do a whole lot for me, either, as it turns out. The grass is very lush, though.

It was around 8ºC so fairly mild and a light breeze blowing from the east on occasion (which actually felt good on my face). I felt fine for this run except for some gas around 8-9k (Thai food last night is my best guess). The trail was still muddy in spots and the SE corner required a nimble hop over one bad section but it was otherwise in the best condition it’s been the last few weeks.

Since it was a Sunday and not raining, dog walkers were out in force. Some really cute dogs, too. Six guys were paired up and tossing baseballs at one of the diamonds (all balls remained clear of my noggin) and there were a few joggers as well, though the fastest was running clockwise so I couldn’t gauge if she was faster or not. I wasn’t in a competing mood, regardless (evidenced by my slower start and overall pace). I did clock my longest run to date, though — 10.53 km, which took slightly over an hour.

The strangest sight was a pair of younger guys (mid 20s or so) who were working out. They were racing up the steep hill at the west end of the park and doing other various exercises. At one point as I jogged by one of them was actually piggybacking the other up the hill. While an admirable feat of strength, there is something about adults piggybacking that seems a wee bit weird. I guess it depends on whether you’re using a cup or not.

Results:

Total distance: 10.53 km (previous: 10.03 km)
Average time/km: 5:45/km (previous: 5.36/km)
Best time/km: 5.23/km (previous: 5.08/km)