Outdoor runs

The good news: the weather was cloudy and 10ºC, with little wind.

The bad news: my calves started hurting only a few km in and that sometimes diesel smell was not only present, it was ever-present.

At the 5k mark I stopped the run because I didn’t want to risk hurting my calves again (I think they’re okay, just sore from pushing a little harder) and the air quality was obnoxiously bad, probably the worst it’s ever been.

Since the rains had let up, most of the flooding on the trail had receded but it was still mushy and tricky to navigate in a few spots. Nothing else unusual to report.

I’m contemplating another 5k run tomorrow to make up, depending on how I feel.

The results were 5.05 km total, average pace of 5.29/km, fastest lap was 5:15/km. Interestingly, my second km was 5:16/km, almost identical — that may have caused the soreness to spring up. my second km usually falls off anywhere from 4-8 seconds.

It was almost spring-like today with the temperature a positively warm 10ºC.

The gusting winds and torrential rain reminded one that it is still indeed winter.

Since it had been raining all day prior to my run the trail was good and flooded by the time I got there. It was so bad even the mini-trail running inside the main one was starting to get muddy and river-like in spots. Several times I nearly lost a shoe as my foot landed in especially thick and clingy muck. Here is a Neil Armstrong-esque print I left that rapidly filled with water:

The rain was relentless and did not ease up at all during the run. I was wet right down to my skivvies. Not really ideal conditions but I endeavored to improve my time and indeed did so, clocking my first sub-56 minute 10k. Not fast, really, but it’s more steady improvement.

I thought I would have the trail to myself given the weather but one girl appeared around the 6k mark and jogged ahead of me. She came to an abrupt halt at the first puddle and gave it a wide berth before proceeding. I jumped over it, passed her and she vanished shortly after. It is no surprise that people don’t like miserable conditions to run in. What is more surprising is how hesitant people are to get their shoes even a little muddy. It’s raining, you’re on a trail made of dirt and mulch, your shoes are going to get muddy. If you don’t like it, find a treadmill in a nice climate-controlled community center.

Results:

Total distance: 10.03 km (previous: 10.17 km) — quite enough, given the weather and conditions 😛
Average time/km: 5:36/km (previous: 5.41/km)
Best time/km: 5.08/km (previous: 5.11/km)

5ºC and intermittent light rain for today’s run through the first 8km, a steady light rain for the final 2km and a rather hard rain after I got home. Dodged that liquid bullet!

There was little wind which normally is good, however there was the smell of diesel hanging in the air and the lack of any breeze meant it was pretty much there for the whole run. Later it was joined at one corner of the path with the smell of hot glue and general construction-related odors. Blech.

I started out at a deliberately faster pace but was careful to not stretch much to increase my stride and I feel fine now, so mission accomplished there. My pace was fairly consistent and apart from the various smells and a bit of gas (probably from lunch) I felt pretty good. Finished with my best 10k performance to date.

I only saw one other jogger and she must have been passing through because I only saw her for a lap. One other guy was doing some balance exercises on the park equipment and on a nearby fence. I was tempted to take a picture. I’ve seen him before so I’ll likely see him again.

There were a few dogs being walked but one appeared to be there entirely on its own. It was a large black terrier of some sort and it had a white face which gave it a creepy sort of ghost look. It seemed happy enough just randomly trotting around the field. Perhaps I just never caught sight of the owner.

Results:

Total distance: 10.17 km (previous: 10.02 km)
Average time/km: 5:41/km (previous: 5.46/km)
Best time/km: 5.11/km (previous: 5.28/km)

7ºC today under cloudy skies for the run. I was pressed for time so I quit as soon as I reached 10k. My pace was almost identical to the previous run. Wore two layers and was pretty warm by the end.

At the 4k mark my left shoelace came untied. I tied it back up too tight and for the next 2k my foot hurt like heck until the action of running finally loosened the lace a bit.

The run was otherwise unremarkable.

Results:

Total distance: 10.02 km (previous: 10.14 km)
Average time/km: 5:46/km (previous: 5.45/km)
Best time/km: 5.28/km (previous: 5.15/km) (not sure why the first km was slower. Maybe I was distracted.)

Today it was once again mild — about 8ºC and overcast with little wind. I wore two layers but I’m certain one long-sleeved shirt would suffice in these conditions.

The trail was puddle-free but a bit mushy in spots. I only had to jink around one specific area, though. Since it wasn’t raining there were several other joggers present but they seemed to be the low-impact type, more walking than jogging. At about 6km in one jogger suddenly dashed by me — a rather attractive young guy wearing a black t-shirt and shorts. His stride was pretty impressive and there was no way I was going to keep up but I’ve seen these guys often enough to know that they eventually (and sooner rather than later) blow a gasket. The best part, though, is that he was jogging with a dog on a leash and immediately demonstrated how problematic that can be.

He passed me right near the play area and there’s a fence there to prevent the noggins of wee ones getting bashed by errant baseballs. The dog comes to a full stop to pee on it. undaunted, the guy yanks on the leash and they continue on. They then pass by a woman getting walked by a large black dog. I am unsure what the breed was — some kind of baby-eater, I think — but the woman was clearly not the one in control. Once again joggerboy’s dog charges off. Less than a lap later he had disappeared. Maybe he spontaneously combusted. He was running awfully fast.

The run went well, the pace felt good and I finished at the starting point for my longest run yet.

There were no odd objects laying about the park, the first time in awhile that’s happened.

Results:

Total distance: 10.14 km (previous: 10.08 km)
Average time/km: 5:45/km (previous: 5.44/km)
Best time/km: 5.15/km (previous: 5.22/km)

With a rainfall warning advisory in effect from Environment Canada, I was not surprised to find myself greeted with torrential rain for today’s run. It was the kind of weather a duck might like. A mad duck.

But it was mild, at least — about 8ºC. I wore two layers and almost felt a single layer may have sufficed. Still need the gloves, though, even if they eventually got thoroughly soaked in the process.

I was startled to find another jogger running clockwise around the path when I began but she disappeared after about 10 minutes. Two others showed up but they both also left after only a brief stay. I can’t say I blame them as the first 6 km of the run was a very hard rain with gusting wind. Strangely, at the 6k mark the sky brightened and the sun came out for a few moments while the rain still pounded down. On each lap the trail morphed as puddles grew and spread. It became a virtual obstacle course by the 3/4 mark with me nimbly hopping around, over and sometimes just straight through the water. The rains eventually eased up and for a few km actually stopped. By the end they resumed but with most of their vigor gone.

Unlike the previous run, I felt good on this one and the last stretch did not seem interminable. I finished by running a wee bit father and a little bit faster, so I’m happy with the results.

My shoes and socks are thoroughly soaked and muddy. The people who make laundry detergent will be pleased.

And what’s a run in the park without some new weird object to behold? Today it was this in the middle of the field:

That would be a floor buffer. Looked to be on good shape, if a little damp. Again, people are weird.

Results:

Total distance: 10.08 km (previous: 10.03 km)
Average time/km: 5:44/km (previous: 5.50/km)
Best time/km: 5.22/km (previous: 5.10/km) — I blame the unpredictable condition of the trail for the slower time here. Took a few laps to fully suss out the best way to navigate the watery ways.

Today I decided to finally go ahead and try a 10k run, even though I have a head cold (apparently a bonus gift from traveling back from the island).

It was a relatively balmy 5ºC and mostly clear, with some high cloud and no breeze. Because of the warmer temperature the trail was firm but pliable, like a pair of breasts (or so I have been told).

I started out strong and although my overall time was slower than the previous run, my pace was fairly steady. However, the last 2 km it felt like the countdown announcements simply weren’t going to play on the iPod, as if time was stretching out and defying the laws of the universe. Kilometer 9 felt like about 3 km before I finally got the 1 km notification and then it felt longer still before the final series of countdowns began at 400m. I did not run any extra but I was nowhere near the starting line, so I didn’t cheese on the finish.

Afterward, I must confess to being slightly sore but not too bad there. I am tired as all get-out, though. The run took about 58 minutes.

There were a number of dog walkers and two other joggers at the park but the joggers were working at a fairly light pace. I saw three guys with a football and golf clubs (?), perhaps intent on creating the new hybrid sport, footgolf. They seemed to putt or chip or whatever in the field for a bit. A little later three more guys came by with baseball gloves and ball, because that pre-season can’t start too soon! I hadn’t expected to watch for baseballs in December. They kept them off the path.

Moving forward I will slowly begin working on my 10k time. I’m glad I did this before the end of the year. It’s a nice way to cap things off.

Results:

Total distance: 10.03 km (previous: 8.56 km)
Average time/km: 5:50/km (previous: 5.37/km)
Best time/km: 5.10/km (previous: 5.08/km)

Yeah, it isn’t easy to keep coming up with new titles for my jogging updates. 😛

Today’s run was under sunny skies with the temperature around 3ºC. After thawing and freezing for the past week the trail was hard and frosty in spots where it doesn’t get much sun with the rest being a little more pliable. The park crews had been by since my run last Monday as all of the leaves had been removed from the path. It had that new park feel.

I was curious to see how the six days off due to travel to the island would affect my performance but it turned out to be the best run of my last six, coming in at an average pace of 5.37/km. I also covered more ground than before, 8.56 km, edging closer to my New Year’s goal of 10k. Most importantly, I feel good after the run. I still haven’t heard Tiger come on, but Joan Benoit Samuelson congratulated me on my farthest run yet.

There were a few other joggers out and the usual assortment of dogs and their owners about. As expected the buggies had been cleared away but next to one tree was a not-insignificant pile of clothes. Perhaps someone was concerned the coyotes would get cold in this weather.

Results:

Total distance: 8.56 km (previous: 8.20 km)
Average time/km: 5:37/km (previous: 5.38/km)
Best time/km: 5.08/km (previous: 5.21/km)

Because winds were supposed to be gusting, I went with three layers today for the run but apparently the gusting stopped before I started. Still, at 4ºC I did not feel too overdressed. The weather was overcast, which was a nice change from the previous run’s torrential rain. As a result, the path was mushy but fully navigable. No ark needed.

I decided to run to a set distance today instead of time, choosing 8 km since my usual 45 minute runs seem to be in that range, anyway. I improved drastically on my previous run, as you’ll see below, and ran a little extra to get to the starting point. My pace was very consistent, which I’m happy to see. The calves both felt a bit sore as I ran but are fine now. I think they are adjusting to the longer distances but at this rate I suspect there will be no discomfort in the next run or two.

Today I was joined on the path by a couple of people with their dogs, a nice lady walking clockwise and, of course, a pair of shopping carts (said nice lady moved them, as both were originally on the path itself):

You may ask me, “Why would someone wheel a shopping cart into a park with a semi-smashed pumpkin in it?” and I would answer, “Because people are mental.” Since there were two carts (the other was sans pumpkin) I am left to wonder if this was a group effort (“Hey guys, I have this great idea…”) or someone with motivations even I cannot divine. I expect the carts to be gone next time but I thrill in anticipation of what may take their place!

Results:

Total distance: 8.20 km (previous: 8.01 km)
Average time/km: 5:38/km (previous: 5.53/km)
Best time/km: 5.21/km (previous: 5.31/km)

Errata: R.E.M.’s album Lifes Rich Pageant is a great album to jog to. Most of the songs are uptempo and unlike some of their albums, none of them is filler. It’s a bit short so I had to pad out the playlist with a few songs from Document.

I still have not heard Tiger Woods chime in on the iPod since his li’l scandal broke. A coincidence, probably, but it seems kind of funny.

“I expect I will do a bit better after a few days of rest.” Then again, maybe not!

Today’s (well, technically yesterday’s since it’s past midnight now) run was in a relatively balmy 9ºC and under very light drizzly conditions. I wore my gloves.

The flood at the park had almost entirely retreated so I was able to run along the path except for the one sunken SE corner. My calves were sore from the previous run so I took two days off and partway through this run they felt even more sore. I am fairly certain that I have not re-injured the right calf, as it is not getting worse and when I stopped running it doesn’t hurt (unlike before where the pain lingered even while walking). I think my legs are just complaining about upping the time from 35 to 45 minutes. I’ve added roughly 1.5 km to the run as a result.

Because of the soreness my pace was fairly steady but not very swift. Since i had come so close to 8km before I opted to push for it today. Unfortunately I was only at 7.64km at the 45 minute mark and it took two more minutes to get to 8km. Still, I did it and I’m still walking now, so yay and all that.

Results:

Total distance: 8.01 km
Average time/km: 5:53/km (previous: 5.45/km)
Best time/km: 5.31/km (previous: 5.21/km)

Notable incident: a pair of women were throwing a ball for a dog to catch. One of them had one of those ball scoop dealies that lets you pick up and throw the ball without getting dog slobber all over your hand. They mostly stayed off the trail but one lap they were on it and as I moved to pass them the one woman raised the ball scoop up and very nearly whacked me in the head with it. Her partner gently chided her. Good enough for me!

Today’s run was ugly.

Last night’s predicted big snow followed by rain didn’t happen in that the snow petered out quickly. By this morning it was completely gone, so I didn’t need to be concerned about running in piles of slush. Instead I faced this:

That’s the southeast corner where I enter the park and start my run. A long stretch along the northern part of the trail was similarly flooded, forcing me to run alongside it on the grass (which really isn’t so bad). The navigable parts of the trail were rather muddy, as my socks and sneakers will attest.

It was a relatively balmy 4ºC when I started out so I opted to wear only two layers (jacket + long sleeve shirt) and that was fine. I also chose to skip wearing my gloves, which was not so fine. My hands were numb by the end and even for the first few minutes in the shower the tops of them had this weird temperature inversion thing going on where the hot water hitting them felt very much cold. If I turned my palms up the water felt hot, as it should.

I probably walked as much yesterday as I had run on Sunday, if not more, which in retrospect was probably dumb. I should have rested my legs. This meant my calves were sore to start today and my initial pace was pretty sluggish. I didn’t force it, though. By the final few km I had my second wind and my legs were sufficiently limber that my pace improved remarkably.

For a long stretch I had all of China Creek Park to myself, save for the crows worming in the field and a parks board tractor blowing leaves off the path (and helpfully stopping each time I jogged by). At the 15 minute mark the rain started and by 20 minutes in had become a downpour. It eased off for about ten minutes then for the last 3 laps or so turned to a downpour again. There were occasional strong gusts blowing from the south/southeast, too. With about ten minutes to go another jogger showed up but I only ever saw him do a few stretching exercises. He seemed to have disappeared by the time I was leaving.

Results:

Total distance: 7.89 km
Average time/km: 5:45/km (slightly better than my 40 minute pace)
Best time/km: 5.21/km (full km), 4:43/km  (final .89 km)

You can see how my pace really picked up toward the end — 4:43 for nearly a full km is a remarkable time for me for the end of a run and I really didn’t feel I was pushing at all, just moving at a comfortable pace.

I expect I will do a bit better after a few days of rest.