Outdoor run-walks

The weather was pretty much the same today as the last walk/run, perhaps a tad warmer, but this was not one of the small complications I refer to.

Complication #1 was the inevitable need to use the loo, which happened a lot sooner than expected (I hydrated before heading out). There is no good place to make like a bear in the woods until you are nearly three km in, so that hampered my speed for a while. After that and on the way back, I had one of those strange, giggly pains in my left foot. What I mean by this is I would experience a sensation that was similar to pain but when pressure was applied to the heel of my left foot, it made me ease up and giggle a bit. Not that it tickled, but sort of? It’s hard to explain. Think of it as like hitting your funny bone. It’s funny but not funny.

Anyway, I was a bit slower overall as a result, but am still pleased at getting out, and my BPM was correspondingly lower too, so it was all good in the end (potty joke).

Also, I officially™ passed the 300 km mark on these walks, proving i am not entirely given over to a life of flab and laziness. Woo.

Stats:

Walk  40
Average pace: 8:43/km
Location: Brunette River trail
Distance: 7.4 km
Time: 64:34
Weather: Sunny
Temp: 27ºC
Humidity: 43%
Wind: light
BPM: 132
Weight: 178.3 pounds
Total distance to date: 303.53 km
Devices: Apple Watch Series 5, iPhone 12

It’s the first day of summer 2021 and appropriately the weather is sunny and hot.

As such I didn’t run as much as I might have and my overall pace was slower, even as my BPM was a bit higher, but overall I am pleased by the effort. It’s all too easy to skip the weekend walk/runs altogether.

I am beginning to think more about just diving in and doing a 5K–I’m sure I could manage it, I’d just have to be slow ‘n steady with it. Maybe the next time the weather is overcast or a bit cooler. I suspect I’d find out just how well my perpetually gimp left foot would hold up.

Stats:

Walk 39
Average pace: 8:17/km
Location: Brunette River trail
Distance: 7.33 km
Time: 60:46
Weather: Sunny
Temp: 26ºC
Humidity: 46%
Wind: moderate to strong
BPM: 135
Weight: 177.6 pounds
Total distance to date: 296.13 km
Devices: Apple Watch Series 5, iPhone 12

I was really tired all day for some reason, despite getting what seemed to be a decent sleep last night, so I went for my walk/run with low expectations.

And surprised myself for running just over 2 km uninterrupted. Even better, my pace for both km was an even 6:00 minutes, which is not bad considering how flabby and out of shape I am. I could feel a hint of a cramp in my abdomen near the end, but it never happened. Of more concern was a reminder of the plantar fasciitis that I could feel about halfway through the running part. It never started to hurt, but I could feel where it did hurt last year and will proceed with caution should I feel it the next time I’m out. If there’s one injury you don’t want to aggravate, it’s one you’re still able to feel almost a year later.

Other than that, I am pleased with today’s effort. It was sunny, but in a nice, not make-you-sweat-buckets sort of way.

Stats:

Walk 38
Average pace: 8:03/km
Location: Brunette River trail
Distance: 7.39 km
Time: 59:33
Weather: Sunny
Temp: 18ºC
Humidity: 40%
Wind: light
BPM: 128
Weight: 177.9 pounds
Total distance to date: 288.8 km
Devices: Apple Watch Series 5, iPhone 12

It’s Monday and I wasn’t feeling as ambitious for the running part of the walk/run. But I did end up running a tad more than expected, and my overall pace was perfectly respectable.

Conditions were similar, temperature-wise, though it felt a bit warmer as the sun was out today. I encountered no issues in terms of cramping or whatnot, though one of my running stretches I did twist my ankle very slightly on a small pothole I missed when moving from sun to shade. This made me flashback to The Tree Root Incident of August 2016, and I’ll admit, it made me ease up on the running for a few minutes, suddenly paranoid that the trail might be out to get me.

The worst part, though, was the inevitable problem caused by hydrating before the run (good) while also having the world’s tiniest bladder (not particularly good). Even worse than this, I had to…do more. This makes running not just uncomfortable, but also potentially messy. I don’t want to go full TMI here, but you probably get the idea.

Still, despite needing several pit stops it was a good start to the week and I liked that I had no hesitation in getting out, even though it was Monday. I mean yeah, it was also sunny, but I swear I would have gone even if it had been raining. Pretty sure. Yep.

Stats:

Walk 37
Average pace: 8:28/km
Location: Brunette River trail
Distance: 7.47 km
Time: 63:17
Weather: Sunny
Temp: 16ºC
Humidity: 45%
Wind: light
BPM: 123
Weight: 179.4 pounds
Total distance to date: 281.41 km
Devices: Apple Watch Series 5, iPhone 12

Today was 10 degrees cooler than yesterday, which sounds bad, but is actually great for running. It was overcast with a light breeze, so no sun beating down on me. It is free to beat down on me when I am not running, however.

Maybe due to the cooler temperature, I seemed to have more zip than expected and started running a bit on the way up the trail (I normally don’t start the run part until I’ve reached the end of the trail and turn around to head back). I ran off and on until I got to the turnaround point, then started running…and didn’t stop until I got all the way back to the start of the trail. This was unexpected.

All I had to do was just ease up a little on my run speed and as if by magicke I found a comfortable pace and was able to keep going. It was nice. I’ll need to follow the Eagles’ advice more often and take it easy.

As a result, my stats are quite a bit different from the last few walks–shorter time, faster pace and a slightly higher BPM, but still perfectly fine.

Stats:

Walk 36
Average pace: 7:30/km
Location: Brunette River trail
Distance: 7.30 km
Time: 54:59
Weather: Overcast
Temp: 16ºC
Humidity: 55%
Wind: light
BPM: 140
Weight: 178 pounds
Total distance to date: 273.94 km
Devices: Apple Watch Series 5, iPhone 12

It was not quite as warm today, but humidity was higher, so it didn’t really feel all that different.

Changes from yesterday: I walked the full distance, to Cariboo Road, before heading back. And I ran more often–not quite up to my usual pace, but closer. I could definitely feel myself hitting my current limits a few times and pulling back before The Cramps™ could start.

Overall it went well, and I ended up doubling my move goal for the day, so yay for that.

Stats:

Walk 35
Average pace: 8:13/km
Location: Brunette River trail
Distance: 7.20 km
Time: 59:13
Weather: Sunny
Temp: 26ºC
Humidity: 49%
Wind: light
BPM: 135
Weight: 178.3 pounds
Total distance to date: 266.64 km
Devices: Apple Watch Series 5, iPhone 12

I’ve actually done a few walks recently that I didn’t record because they really were just walks, with no running at all (yesterday for example). But today I actually did run a bit, despite the unusually warm weather. I basically jogged when under the shade of the tree canopy and walked when out exposed to direct sun. It seemed to work reasonably well.

My stamina is still pretty feeble, though, like I could keep running, but it would feel like the sloggiest of slogs, and I’d probably start getting cramps in weird parts of my body. But it was still nice to get out and be physical and such.

I didn’t go quite as far as usual today, as I wanted to try to keep the total time down to an hour (I had not planned on running at all when I set out), so my overall distance is lower than the normal (which is typically over 7 km), but it’s reasonably close.

Stats:

Walk 34
Average pace: 8:49/km
Location: Brunette River trail
Distance: 6.83 km
Time: 1:00:11
Weather: Sunny and hot
Temp: 29ºC
Humidity: 37%
Wind: light
BPM: 127
Weight: 179 pounds
Total distance to date: 259.44 km
Devices: Apple Watch Series 5, iPhone 12

Before I could give myself time to change my mind I went out today for a walk/run, determined to make at least partial amends for my fatty indulgences of the last few days. As a bonus the weather looked iffy, so I figured crowds would be minimal.

Well, the weather was iffy–rain showers for all but the last 15 minutes or so, when the sun poked out, but there were still crowds, as a lot of people apparently just want to get out and don’t care if they also get wet.

There was one annoying runner ahead of me at one point who kept running right down the middle of the trail, which is bad form. Worse, she kept drifting back and forth, which is terrible form. I originally planned to catch up and pass her but I’m so soft and flabby right now that I just let her go ahead while I caught my breath. Such is my running life at the moment.

I did run a lot more than the previous outing and had no difficulties, other than just my stamina conking out significantly earlier than it normally would. But it’ll get there eventually if I stick with it. Which I plan to do. Honest!

Stats:

Walk 33
Average pace: 8:18/km
Location: Brunette River trail
Distance: 7.26 km
Time: 1:00:21
Weather: Rain showers
Temp: 11ºC
Humidity: 81%
Wind: light
BPM: 138
Weight: 180 pounds
Total distance to date: 252.61 km
Devices: Apple Watch Series 5, iPhone 12

I went out today and only ran in short bursts, so it took me about nine or so minutes longer to complete vs. my typical pace. I’m okay with that, as I’m just glad that I was motivated enough to get out instead of shutting down and slumping in a chair or on the bed.

Stats:

Walk 32
Average pace: 9:12/km
Location: Brunette River trail
Distance: 7.55 km
Time: 1:09:35
Weather: Sunny
Temp: 19ºC
Humidity: 39%
Wind: moderate
BPM: 123
Weight: 179.3 pounds
Total distance to date245.33 km
Devices: Apple Watch Series 5, iPhone 12

Another beautiful but windy day as I set out right after work. I didn’t run quite as much today–or so I thought–but my pace was better, reversing a trend of getting slower. Yay.

I did slow or stop running a few times, once due to a stitch starting to develop in my right shoulder, and again when my left leg/knee were feeling stiff and cranky (this tended to settle and improve as they got warmer).

If I continue at the pace I’m at now, I will probably try running the entire back half of the river trail (about 2 km) in the next week or two. And to think I used to come sailing in at the end of a 10K run as if I’d just jogged a hundred meters. 😛

Stats:

Walk 31
Average pace: 8:22/km
Location: Brunette River trail
Distance: 7.44 km
Time: 1:02:16
Weather: Sunny
Temp: 19ºC
Humidity: 25%
Wind: moderate to high
BPM: 135
Weight: 179.8 pounds
Total distance to date: 237.80 km
Devices: Apple Watch Series 5, iPhone 12

I started doing run/walks again recently and completely forgot to post about the first three. Whoops. I blame the five-month gap since the last walk.

Overall, they were fine, no injuries or mishaps and the plantar fasciitis was not an issue, though the left foot still feels stiff later on, before recovering.

Today’s walk was under sunny skies and warm temperatures, but a persistent wind with a bit of a bite kept it from feeling too warm. I felt weirdly weary after work (say that three times fast), so I didn’t run quite as much, but I had a strong finish, mostly because I really had to use the bathroom by the end.

Note that while my pace has gotten worse over the four run/walks, my BPM has improved nicely. I’ll take it.

Here are the stats from all four walks:

April 2:

Walk 27
Average pace: 8:00/km
Location: Brunette River trail
Distance: 7.31 km
Time: 58:29
Weather: Mostly sunny
Temp: 10ºC
Humidity: 53%
Wind: light
BPM: 147
Weight: 179.4 pounds
Total distance to date: 208.48 km
Devices: Apple Watch Series 5, iPhone 12

April 3:

Walk 28
Average pace: 8:04/km
Location: Brunette River trail
Distance: 7.37 km
Time: 59:32
Weather: Cloudy, some sprinkles
Temp: 8ºC
Humidity: 77%
Wind: light
BPM: 143
Weight: 178.8 pounds
Total distance to date: 215.85 km
Devices: Apple Watch Series 5, iPhone 12

April 5:

Walk 29
Average pace: 8:09/km
Location: Brunette River trail
Distance: 7.29 km
Time: 59:30
Weather: Sunny
Temp: 12ºC
Humidity: 49%
Wind: light
BPM: 140
Weight: 179.2 pounds
Total distance to date: 223.14 km
Devices: Apple Watch Series 5, iPhone 12

April 12:

Walk 30
Average pace: 8:28/km
Location: Brunette River trail
Distance: 7.22 km
Time: 1:01:13
Weather: Sunny
Temp: 16ºC
Humidity: 27%
Wind: moderate to high
BPM: 132
Weight: 179.5 pounds
Total distance to date: 230.36 km
Devices: Apple Watch Series 5, iPhone 12

It’s been about two weeks since my last walk, so it was perhaps unsurprising that I was a bit sluggish on the walking portion. It was also chilly, though thankfully the wind was not blowing. I wore two layers up top and my stylish running pants for the first time in…quite awhile.

I was not overdressed.

Being a mid-afternoon on a weekday, I was expecting it to be fairly quiet, but there were quite a few people out, perhaps taking advantage of the dry weather before The Rains begin.

Thanks to my world’s tiniest bladder, when I got to the end of Cariboo Place I did not turn around and head back. Rather, I crossed over to Burnaby Lake, grabbed a few pics (praying it would not kill the phone) and used to Jiffy John™. I ended up having to go three separate times while out, which may be a personal record. Did I secretly drink a lot of liquid before heading out? Did the cold make my bladder “nervous”? Who knows. It’s not a personal record I want to beat, at any rate.

The running part went better and the one full km I was able to measure came in at 5:35/km, pretty respectable after two weeks of marginal activity.

Overall it was nice to get back out and I felt somewhat smart by actually dressing for the weather. The phone survived, going from 100% to around 64% by the time I got home (I did not start listening to music until I was headed back and kept it at a low volume. I also closed out all other apps. These are the things you do when your phone battery decides to play dead).

The stats:

Walk 26
Average pace: 8:18/km
Location: Brunette River trail
Distance: 8.87 km
Time: 1:13:41
Weather: Cloudy
Temp: 5ºC
Humidity: 81%
Wind: light to nil
BPM: 131
Weight: 171.6 pounds
Total distance to date: 201.17 km
Devices: Apple Watch Series 5, iPhone 8