The cottonwood snow run

Location: Burnaby Lake, CCW
Distance: 11.16 km
Weather: Overcast
Temp: 14ºC
Wind: light
Calories burned: 791
Average pace: 4:54/km
Total distance to date: 1381.49 km

Ran: Piper Mill Trail.

Last night my sinuses had that ‘getting a cold’ thing going on and I was not feeling so hot. This morning my sinuses were closer to normal but I had a pressure headache and as I write this I’m still unsure if I’m coming down with something or not. For the run this meant I was feeling a bit off but headed out all the same.

Because it was cooler than normal, with the temperature hovering between 13-14ºC I opted to wear my long-sleeved t-shirt. THIS WAS A MISTAKE. I am putting that in all caps hoping that I will not overdress yet again. Although it was cooler there was little breeze and halfway through the run my arms were sweating, which I don’t especially like.

I admit to being slightly spooked by the coyote sighting on Friday and because I was not 100% opted to do a shorter run, skipping the Spruce and Conifer Loops and doing only Piper Mill instead. With an overcast sky the densely canopied areas of the trail were especially gloomy, even a bit creepy, as if you’d suddenly hear the cry of a lone wolf. Or coyote.

I did not see any coyotes. I did see many black slugs.

And speaking of the forest, there was a copious amount of white fluff floating about, at times swirling about so densely it almost looked like snow. I wondered where exactly it was coming from and my answer arrived as if from Heaven in the form of a twig that dropped straight down onto the trail in front of me, festooned with the fluff. The area is filled with cottonwood trees and this is apparently the time of year they shed their fluffy white seeds. All on the same day, it seems.

Meanwhile, on the south side of the trail a pair of Parks workers were trimming back the brush near to the western-most walkway and had been so thorough that the clippings completely covered the path. I’m not sure they really needed to cut that much but hey, they had to rake it up by hand so I’m sure they did what was needed.

Despite a call for showers, I escaped with no rainfall. That was nice.

Despite feeling off, I managed to finish the run with my second-best time, coming in at 4:54/km. After the trouble getting the iPod to stop the workout properly on Friday I decided to stop 20 or 30 meters before the dam today and the run concluded without incident but still comfortably past the 11K mark.

My left foot was acting cranky again, as it had over the weekend, so it seems that’s going to take longer than hoped to get back to normal. Also of concern was my left shin. I felt it at a few points during the run. It was not painful, more a sensation of where it is tender and it did not occur during the entire run nor did it persist when walking briskly afterward. I’m hoping this means it’s just tender and not injured. I’ll ice after the next ruin if the same thing happens.

All told, a pretty good run despite not feeling especially jazzed to be out there.

Chart:

km Jun 4 Jun 1 May 30
1 4:37 4:42 4:37
2 4:42 4:46 4:45
3 4:45 4:49 4:48
4 4:47 4:51 4:49
5 4:49 4:51 4:50
6 4:51 4:52 4:50
7 4:52 4:53 4:51
8 4:53 4:54 4:52
9 4:53 4:55 4:52
10 4:54 4:56 4:53
11 4:54 4:56 4:52

Book review: The Keep

I bought The Keep in 1982. It only took me 30 years to get around to reading it. Even better, I read it in a format that was unheard of back then, as I picked up the ebook version on the cheap from kobo.com last year.

This was one of a number of horror novels I bought back in the early 80s after Stephen King (you may have heard of him) ignited my interest in the genre (I had bought other books, notably The Exorcist and The Amityville Horror prior but stuck mainly to science fiction otherwise).

F. Paul Wilson’s writing of the story is utterly clear — this is not a tale filled with ambiguity, though there is a mystery when the story begins in 1941, as Nazi Germany continues its conquest of Europe. After a brief prologue the main characters are introduced — a sympathetic German captain named Woermann, his villainous counterpart, Major Kaempffer, a Jewish professor and his daughter and the two mortal enemies of Glenn and Molasar.

When the Nazis set up a defensive position in a creepy ol’ keep in the Romanian Alps it doesn’t take long for very bad things to begin happening. The treasure hunting adventures of a pair of soldiers unleashes a very ancient evil in the keep and leads to a different soldier being murdered every night. Woermann, appalled by the Nazis but loyal to the German army, sends a wire requesting aid and gets it in the form of a vile SS major and his commandos. The mysterious murders continue and in desperation they turn to the Jewish professor to help uncover what is killing the soldiers and ultimately how to stop whatever is responsible.

The question of ‘why not just leave?’ is addressed early on as Kaempffer rules out leaving because it would make him look weak just prior to him being promoted to running a new death camp in Romania. He sets out a schedule by which they must resolve the matter, after which he’ll blame everything on Woermann before moving on.

Wilson neatly draws all of the players together and the initial series of murders is handled effectively, with whatever force is responsible literally creating darkness around itself before viscously ripping out the throats of its victims. For added fun, it briefly re-animates a pair at one point to go flop on the major as he lay in his bed one night. There are a number of twists that are presented broadly enough that they didn’t surprise me, but it was still fun seeing the characters react to events as they unfolded. There is a certain melodrama to some of the passages, especially those between the daughter Magda and Glenn, the reluctant champion of Order who is tasked with vanquishing the evil force trapped in the keep but the overall tone is as realistic as one might expect in a story about ancient evil mucking about with Nazis.

The ending is satisfying, albeit predictable and I was pleased it did not mine the cliches of being Grim Dark™.

This was a quick and enjoyable read. Wilson has no filler here, just a straight-up and ultimately heroic tale mixed in with some early and effectively creepy scenes.

The interruptions run

Location: Burnaby Lake, CCW
Distance: 11.5 km
Weather: Overcast, humid
Temp: 17ºC
Wind: light to none
Calories burned: 815
Average pace: 4:56/km
Total distance to date: 1370.33 km

Ran: Conifer Loop and Spruce Loop.

Today’s run I planned to ease up a bit as a precaution against injury and the weather helped me in that regard. It was mild but after the rain yesterday and in the morning the lake was quite humd and much of the run felt like running through soup. Thin soup but soup all the same. The extra work on breathing resulted in a naturally slower pace and I finished at 4:56/km — still my second best run to date. The Nike+ site erroneously records it as 4:57 because somehow when I pressed the center button on the iPod (with End Workout selected) it instead simply gave me an update and kept the clock running. I walked for a number of seconds before realizing this and by the time it shut off properly it recorded the last .05 km at a stupidly slow speed of 6:20/km (because I was walking).

I am beginning to dislike the clickwheel on the iPod and by extension the iPod itself more as time passes.

The interruptions on the run came in three forms:

Man: When I saw fresh grass trimmings along the side of the trail I figured there would be a parks worker ahead and sure enough there was, safely nestled inside a giant mowing machine. He saw me and pulled over as much he could. I threaded by, trying not to fall in the bramble.

Nature: One section of trail by the fields usually floods after a good rain and it was flooded today. I usually cut to the right onto the field itself but opted to take the narrow little hill to the left that parallels the fence. This little trail-ette was obviously made by someone as a bypass for just such an occasion. Today I had no sense of balance for some reason and twice as I picked my way over what amounts to little more than a hump of dirt, I nearly fell off. To my left, brambles and bog, to my right a large pool of mucky water. I managed to get over without incident.

Bird: Further up I came around a corner and the goose family was there, spread out all over the trail. The goslings are definitely growing up but most of them were chilling out as I approached. Upon seeing them I immediately slowed and gave them as much clearance as I could. The parents hissed until I was safely past. The goslings are adorable, as always.

The most unexpected event of the run occurred as I was nearing the end of the Conifer Loop, the second optional loop. A dog about 30 feet or so ahead of me started running as I approached but strangely took off into the brush. As I got nearer I realized it was actually a coyote. Yikes! Still, it ran, so it would seem it was not in the mood to socialize. I’m okay with that.

I felt a few brief tinges in the left shin but nothing more than that and the legs were fine after and during the run, otherwise. The left foot was a little creaky again but the creakiness didn’t show up until late.

This is pretty close to exactly what the coyote looked like:

Chart (average pace is bolded if different than the last km):

km Jun 1 May 30 May 28 May 24 May 22 May 18 May 16 May 14 May 11
1 4:42 4:37 4:48 4:46 4:42 4:42 4:54 4:51 4:50
2 4:46 4:45 4:51 4:51 4:47 4:47 4:57 4:55 4:56
3 4:49 4:48 4:52 4:53 4:51 4:51 4:59 4:59 4:59
4 4:51 4:49 4:53 4:53 4:53 4:53 5:00 5:02 5:01
5 4:51 4:50 4:54 4:54 4:54 4:54 5:01 5:03 5:02
6 4:52 4:50 4:55 4:54 4:55 4:56 5:01 5:05 5:02
7 4:53 4:51 4:55 4:55 4:56 4:57 5:02 5:06 5:04
8 4:54 4:52 4:56 4:56 4:57 4:59 5:03 5:08 5:05
9 4:55 4:52 4:57 4:57 4:58 5:00 5:04 5:07 5:05
10 4:56 4:53 4:57 4:58 4:59 5:01 5:04 5:07 5:06
11 4:56 4:52 4:57 4:58 4:58 5:02 5:04 5:07 5:06

May running summary

Here’s my running summary for the month of May, which I declare a Good Month™ for jogging.

Total runs: 12
Fastest run: 4:52/km (May 30th)
Slowest run: 5:20/km (May 20th)
Difference between average pace of fastest and slowest runs: 28 seconds/km
Fastest 1st km: 4:37/km (May 30th)
Slowest 1st km: 4:58 (May 2nd)

Total distance: 135.72 km
Average pace: 5:03/km

May vs. April:

Total runs: 12/10
Fastest run: 4:52/5:13
Slowest run: 5:20/5:59
Difference between average pace of fastest and slowest runs: 28/46 seconds
Fastest 1st km: 4:37/4:59/km
Slowest 1st km: 4:58/5:17/km

Total distance: 135.72/102.32
Average pace: 5:03/5:35/km

May was an improvement across the board and notable for finally breaking the 5:00 minute mark for average pace, getting in under 5:00 minutes on every first km, setting a new record for first km and getting in 12 runs vs. 10, though admittedly I was out for a week in April due to hurting my lower back. May was also the first full month wearing my new trail runners and have no doubt contributed positively to the results.

Onward to June!

The 4:52/km run!

Location: Burnaby Lake, CW
Distance: 11.04 km
Weather: Overcast
Temp: 16ºC
Wind: light to none
Calories burned: 783
Average pace: 4:52/km <– personal record
Total distance to date: 1358.82 km

Ran all three optional loops: Piper Mill, Conifer Loop and Spruce Loop.

Good news: My feet and legs felt fine during the run.

Not so good news: my left calf again felt sore after but recovered quickly enough. I have no idea why my runs always seem harder on my left leg.

The weather was mild and overcast today and the threatened chance of showers did not materialize until some hours after I finished my run. It is funny how often my bladder determines in which direction I go around the lake. If I end up having to use the loo when I get to the lake I cross over the parking lot, use the strangely odor-free port-o-potty then head out from there in a clockwise direction, starting along the south shore. My default is counter-clockwise but since my bladder is tiny I end up mixing things up often, which is good for variety and hopefully good for reducing injuries from repetition.

The first km did not strike me as unusually fast and yet I came in at a new pace of 4:37/km. I apparently had some spring in my step. I eased up to a more reasonable 4:45 for the second km and maintained a consistent pace from the third km on, as has been the pattern lately. I was pushing a little harder today when it became clear that my legs were holding up but never over-extended myself, keeping control of my breathing and remaining cramp-free.

And the field had an adorably large group of goslings with their parents in it. One parent slept, as did most of the goslings, while the other remained vigilant against threats. So very cute.

I flagged a wee bit at the 10 km mark then redoubled my effort for a strong finish and managed to shave that extra second off as I got to the Cariboo Dam. I was rewarded with another personal record, shaving five seconds off my previous best and coming in at 4:52/km.

All told, I was pleased by today’s run and it was a fine way to end the month of May, running-wise.

Chart (average pace is bolded if different than the last km):

km May 30 May 28 May 24 May 22 May 18 May 16 May 14 May 11 May 9
1 4:37 4:48 4:46 4:42 4:42 4:54 4:51 4:50 4:55
2 4:45 4:51 4:51 4:47 4:47 4:57 4:55 4:56 5:03
3 4:48 4:52 4:53 4:51 4:51 4:59 4:59 4:59 5:06
4 4:49 4:53 4:53 4:53 4:53 5:00 5:02 5:01 5:08
5 4:50 4:54 4:54 4:54 4:54 5:01 5:03 5:02 5:08
6 4:50 4:55 4:54 4:55 4:56 5:01 5:05 5:02 5:10
7 4:51 4:55 4:55 4:56 4:57 5:02 5:06 5:04 5:10
8 4:52 4:56 4:56 4:57 4:59 5:03 5:08 5:05 5:11
9 4:52 4:57 4:57 4:58 5:00 5:04 5:07 5:05 5:12
10 4:53 4:57 4:58 4:59 5:01 5:04 5:07 5:06 5:12
11 4:52 4:57 4:58 4:58 5:02 5:04 5:07 5:06 5:12

The Man Meets Mower run

Location: Burnaby Lake, CCW
Distance: 11.44 km
Weather: Overcast, some sun
Temp: 16ºC
Wind: light to none
Calories burned: 811
Average pace: 4:57/km <– personal record
Total distance to date: 1347.78 km

Ran all three optional loops: Piper Mill, Conifer Loop and Spruce Loop.

On Saturday’s walk around Burnaby Lake I felt three different instances of pain flash quickly through my left shin. The shin otherwise was fine but it was enough to cause some concern as I got ready for today’s run.

The weather was nice for running — mild and mainly cloudy but no threat of rain. I felt nothing unusual on the walk to the lake and that helped set me a bit at ease. The first km I eased up slightly — my pace was 4:48 — but after that and without experiencing any pain I maintained my usual rate and ended up with an average pace of 4:57/km, my fastest to date. Even better, the Nike+ site did not round up the result. Woo!

The Burnaby parks people were out in force today with weed whackers, leaf blowers and tractors (one of which bore down on me, causing a brief moment of DEAR LORD I’M GOING TO GET RUN OVER ON A NATURE TRAIL). Where the trail wasn’t being groomed I found it to be pleasant and occasionally a bit muggy after the rain of the past few days.

The left foot, which has been getting to nearly fully recovered, did start acting up a little in the last few km but it was a mere annoyance. My left calf felt a little sore after the run but quickly recovered.

I am still mindful of shin splints and will probably apply an ice pack after the next run.

Chart (average pace is bolded if different than the last km):

km May 28 May 24 May 22 May 18 May 16 May 14 May 11 May 9 May 7
1 4:48 4:46 4:42 4:42 4:54 4:51 4:50 4:55 4:52
2 4:51 4:51 4:47 4:47 4:57 4:55 4:56 5:03 4:59
3 4:52 4:53 4:51 4:51 4:59 4:59 4:59 5:06 5:04
4 4:53 4:53 4:53 4:53 5:00 5:02 5:01 5:08 5:07
5 4:54 4:54 4:54 4:54 5:01 5:03 5:02 5:08 5:09
6 4:55 4:54 4:55 4:56 5:01 5:05 5:02 5:10 5:10
7 4:55 4:55 4:56 4:57 5:02 5:06 5:04 5:10 5:12
8 4:56 4:56 4:57 4:59 5:03 5:08 5:05 5:11 5:15
9 4:57 4:57 4:58 5:00 5:04 5:07 5:05 5:12 5:17
10 4:57 4:58 4:59 5:01 5:04 5:07 5:06 5:12 5:19
11 4:57 4:58 4:58 5:02 5:04 5:07 5:06 5:12 5:20

The brown and somewhat uncomfortable but still zippy run

Location: Burnaby Lake, CW
Distance: 11.05 km
Weather: Sun and cloud
Temp: 15ºC
Wind: moderate to none
Calories burned: 783
Average pace: 4:58/km <– personal record (tied)
Total distance to date: 1336.34 km

Ran all three optional loops: Piper Mill, Conifer Loop and Spruce Loop.

Today’s run was preceded by a few changes o’ pace: I got up early, had breakfast and lunch before heading out and found myself in the awkward position of having to use the port-o-potty at the parking lot for *everything* after having a physical in the morning. On the plus side this meant I was theoretically lighter.

The weather was back to being decent and was mostly sunny but with cooler temperatures. A few spots still seemed muggy. The heavy rains of the past few days meant that the streams feeding into the lake were rather brown and yucky-looking with all the sediment and mud stirred up.

I felt a little creaky starting out and my initial km was four seconds slower than the prior run — there were moments when I felt flashes of pain in my shins but fortunately they were fleeting. I also felt a more general soreness in my calves and this is perhaps not surprising given how I have been pushing lately.

I was fully expecting to come in slower so was surprised when the announced time at the end of the run was 4:57/km — a second faster than my best-ever pace on Tuesday. The Nike+ site did its usual rounding up, though, so I officially tied my best pace of 4:58, which is still pretty spiffy, so I’ll take it.

I may run on Saturday to keep the three-per-week thing intact but am still undecided. I will probably ease off a bit if I do go. I do not want to overextend myself at this point.

Chart (average pace is bolded if different than the last km):

km May 24 May 22 May 18 May 16 May 14 May 11 May 9 May 7 May 4
1 4:46 4:42 4:42 4:54 4:51 4:50 4:55 4:52 4:42
2 4:51 4:47 4:47 4:57 4:55 4:56 5:03 4:59 4:50
3 4:53 4:51 4:51 4:59 4:59 4:59 5:06 5:04 4:54
4 4:53 4:53 4:53 5:00 5:02 5:01 5:08 5:07 4:55
5 4:54 4:54 4:54 5:01 5:03 5:02 5:08 5:09 4:56
6 4:54 4:55 4:56 5:01 5:05 5:02 5:10 5:10 4:57
7 4:55 4:56 4:57 5:02 5:06 5:04 5:10 5:12 4:58
8 4:56 4:57 4:59 5:03 5:08 5:05 5:11 5:15 4:59
9 4:57 4:58 5:00 5:04 5:07 5:05 5:12 5:17 5:00
10 4:58 4:59 5:01 5:04 5:07 5:06 5:12 5:19 5:00
11 4:58 4:58 5:02 5:04 5:07 5:06 5:12 5:20 5:01

The under 5:00/km run!

Location: Burnaby Lake, CCW
Distance: 11.33 km
Weather: Cloud and showers
Temp: 15ºC
Wind: moderate to none
Calories burned: 804
Average pace: 4:58/km <– personal record
Total distance to date: 1325.29 km

Note: I ran all three optional loops today: Piper Mill, Conifer Loop and Spruce Loop.

Due to being up late on the Victoria Day weekend (installing a near-release DVD of Vista on my old PC and then sitting through 5+ hours of downloads and updates) I was too tired to run as per usual on Monday. But not wanting to slack off, I ran today instead, curious to see how the extra day off would affect me. Sometimes it makes the run harder, oddly enough.

With the forecast offering a 60% chance of showers (translation: 100% chance, just a matter of when) and the temperature a mild 15ºC, I set out and quickly fell into my usual starting pace, clocking the first km again at 4:42. For the first seven km it remained dry but then it started to spit. The spitting became a steady shower in short order and it persisted for about 3 km before easing up. I was almost dry by the end of the run. This was the sky’s cue to open up and it poured on me on the walk home, insuring I would arrive cold and soaked. At least it stood in contrast to the dry and slightly parched runs of the past few weeks. Variety and all that.

I noticed few geese today. Maybe they were hiding from the rain. Also hiding was the train, which is usually trundling by as I run the Cottonwood Trail section. Today I had passed the midway point and was starting alongside the athletic fields when I heard a loud rumbling that I first thought was a helicopter. I looked back and over and saw the train rumbling by in the distance. Apparently my pace has picked up to where I am now getting through the Cottonwood Trail before it arrives.

And speaking of pace, I had a breakthrough today. After coming teasingly close several times I finally cracked the 5:00 minute mark and finished with an average pace of 4:58/km, beating my old record by three seconds. It also marked the first time I’d run 10K in under 50 minutes. Better yet, my legs are feeling good, not creaky, afterward.

I’m undecided if I will shift my schedule by a day for the rest of the week or try running again tomorrow. For now, I bask in my new personal best!

(Also, Lance Armstrong came on and incorrectly congratulated me for my longest — rather than my fastest — run to date. The sentiment was still appreciated.)

Chart (average pace is bolded if different than the last km):

km May 22 May 18 May 16 May 14 May 11 May 9 May 7 May 4 May 2
1 4:42 4:42 4:54 4:51 4:50 4:55 4:52 4:42 4:58
2 4:47 4:47 4:57 4:55 4:56 5:03 4:59 4:50 5:00
3 4:51 4:51 4:59 4:59 4:59 5:06 5:04 4:54 5:02
4 4:53 4:53 5:00 5:02 5:01 5:08 5:07 4:55 5:04
5 4:54 4:54 5:01 5:03 5:02 5:08 5:09 4:56 5:05
6 4:55 4:56 5:01 5:05 5:02 5:10 5:10 4:57 5:05
7 4:56 4:57 5:02 5:06 5:04 5:10 5:12 4:58 5:05
8 4:57 4:59 5:03 5:08 5:05 5:11 5:15 4:59 5:06
9 4:58 5:00 5:04 5:07 5:05 5:12 5:17 5:00 5:06
10 4:59 5:01 5:04 5:07 5:06 5:12 5:19 5:00 5:06
11 4:58 5:02 5:04 5:07 5:06 5:12 5:20 5:01 5:06

The let your (stupid) dog run free run

Location: Burnaby Lake, CW
Distance: 11.52 km
Weather: Cloud and sun
Temp: 15ºC
Wind: strong with occasional gusts
Calories burned: 817
Average pace: 5:02/km
Total distance to date: 1313.95 km

Note: I ran all three optional loops today: Piper Mill, Conifer Loop and Spruce Loop.

The start of today’s run my left shin felt a little creaky but once I’d warmed up it was fine. Conversely, my right foot toward the end of the run was hurting a bit, probably due to a pair of ingrown toenails (yuck) that I had trimmed earlier. It wasn’t too bad but I could tell I was shifting weight around to compensate. Everything seems okay now so there shouldn’t be any lasting damage. Time, as always, will tell.

I tied my best opening km today at 4:42/km — again, this was not intentional. It seems that some days I just have a lot of pent-up energy that comes out when I start. Fortunately I don’t wilt after these fast starts anymore so it doesn’t seem like as much an issue anymore. I also put in my second fastest pace overall: 5:02/km. This is only one second behind my best pace. If I had known I was going to be that close I would have pushed a tiny bit harder. Oh well, it’s nice to have goals.

Weather-wise it was a mix of sun and cloud and seasonal temperatures, with a strong wind blowing. This combination insured I would not overheat, so I’m not complaining.

As for the dogs, let me say this: grr. A lot of dog owners had their dogs off-leash today (because their dogs are always well-behaved, y’know). A larger one nearly bowled into me as it veered across the trail toward me. The couple who owned the dog seemed to find it mildly amusing. Another guy had a pair of dogs, a larger one on a leash (hooray) and what looked like a Mexican Hairless off leash. I nearly stomped the Mexican Hairless as it charged straight at me. I don’t blame it, given that its view of the world is about two inches above the ground but come on, dog owners, leashing your dog not only protects others, it protects your easily squishable dogs, too!

While passing the fields I noticed two families of geese, each with a pair of goslings. Since I had previously seen one family in the same general area with six goslings I am hoping these weren’t among the group because losing 4 of 6 goslings would be pretty harsh for momma and poppa goose.

For the first time I used the pedometer in my iPod to track the walk to and from the lake — about 38 minutes each way, a combined 9560 steps and 415 calories burned in addition to the 817 from the run. Not bad!

Chart (average pace is bolded if different than the last km):

km May 18 May 16 May 14 May 11 May 9 May 7 May 4 May 2 Apr 30
1 4:42 4:54 4:51 4:50 4:55 4:52 4:42 4:58 5:02
2 4:47 4:57 4:55 4:56 5:03 4:59 4:50 5:00 5:11
3 4:51 4:59 4:59 4:59 5:06 5:04 4:54 5:02 5:13
4 4:53 5:00 5:02 5:01 5:08 5:07 4:55 5:04 5:13
5 4:54 5:01 5:03 5:02 5:08 5:09 4:56 5:05 5:13
6 4:56 5:01 5:05 5:02 5:10 5:10 4:57 5:05 5:12
7 4:57 5:02 5:06 5:04 5:10 5:12 4:58 5:05 5:12
8 4:59 5:03 5:08 5:05 5:11 5:15 4:59 5:06 5:13
9 5:00 5:04 5:07 5:05 5:12 5:17 5:00 5:06 5:13
10 5:01 5:04 5:07 5:06 5:12 5:19 5:00 5:06 5:13
11 5:02 5:04 5:07 5:06 5:12 5:20 5:01 5:06 5:13

Book review: The Fog

I finally decided to check out James Herbert, the popular English horror author who has enough cachet (and sales) to warrant his own section in most bookstore horror sections. I didn’t do any real research in picking a title, I just read a few descriptions and grabbed the first one that sounded good.

That turned out to be his 1975 novel The Fog (no relation to the John Carpenter movie of the same name). It’s his second novel and understandably still has some rough edges as befits an early book. It has for the most part aged well — you could easily plop the premise down in present-day England and not have to change much at all. I also like the conciseness of the story. There is little flab here, no long digressions or exposition. While this at times makes the writing and characterizations a bit perfunctory (and Herbert occasionally spells things out a little too explicitly, telling rather than showing) it does result in a snappy narrative.

The plot is science fiction horror, revolving around the accidental release of a biological warfare agent into the English countryside. It emerges as a yellow fog from a crevice and anyone who comes into contact with it is driven batty, some sooner than later. The story revolves around a government team and an unwitting immune individual working to contain and/or destroy the fog before all of England goes as mad as George. Along the way there are numerous colorful vignettes in which it is illustrated just how various people go insane. This usually involves violence, sex or often both! The Fog is very old school in the way it entwines sex and gore together, just like those “make out in the car and die” horror movies from the 1950s. The difference is people don’t get killed for having sex, rather they kill as they are having sex.

The nadir of the novel is probably a comprehensive sex scene between the protagonist and his girlfriend with creepy daddy issues. It’s played straight, so to speak, in that neither character is insane (at the time) but it comes off (ho ho) as second rate softcore porn. I’ve no idea if this is a James Herbert thing or if he was just a horny young man at the time he wrote this (checking, he was 32 at time of publication so perhaps horny youngish man is more apt).

The last third of the novel is essentially a chase sequence following the fog. It’s actually more interesting than it sounds, especially given the double whammy of deadly fog combined with nutty people running around in it.

In the end this is a competent but unremarkable novel. I am uncertain if I will read more Herbert.

The it’s-not-really-the-sun-it’s-the-heat run

Location: Burnaby Lake, CCW
Distance: 11.51 km
Weather: Sun
Temp: 19ºC
Wind: moderate
Calories burned: 819
Average pace: 5:04/km
Total distance to date: 1302.43 km

Temperatures today were only slightly above normal and with a steady breeze I wasn’t overly concerned about getting parched on the run. I opted to skip any hydration and it turned out fine. My mouth was a tad dry by the end but it was fine overall. I established a comfortable pace early on and held on throughout, using the slightly cooler temperature to boost my pace a bit to a new second-best ever at 5:04/km. I also passed the 1300 km mark, which was nice. And Joan congratulated me for 500 more km completed, which was just Joan doing her thing.

Other than that, there’s not much else to add. The run was smooth and uneventful, just the way I like it. My cranky left foot is feeling that much better and my calves and shins are holding up, too.

I ran the Spruce and Conifer Loops but skipped Piper Mill.

Chart (average pace is bolded if different than the last km):

km May 16 May 14 May 11 May 9 May 7 May 4 May 2 Apr 30
1 4:54 4:51 4:50 4:55 4:52 4:42 4:58 5:02
2 4:57 4:55 4:56 5:03 4:59 4:50 5:00 5:11
3 4:59 4:59 4:59 5:06 5:04 4:54 5:02 5:13
4 5:00 5:02 5:01 5:08 5:07 4:55 5:04 5:13
5 5:01 5:03 5:02 5:08 5:09 4:56 5:05 5:13
6 5:01 5:05 5:02 5:10 5:10 4:57 5:05 5:12
7 5:02 5:06 5:04 5:10 5:12 4:58 5:05 5:12
8 5:03 5:08 5:05 5:11 5:15 4:59 5:06 5:13
9 5:04 5:07 5:05 5:12 5:17 5:00 5:06 5:13
10 5:04 5:07 5:06 5:12 5:19 5:00 5:06 5:13
11 5:04 5:07 5:06 5:12 5:20 5:01 5:06 5:13