Run 418
Average pace: 5:55/km
Location: Burnaby Lake CCW
Distance: 8.23 km
Time: 48:48
Weather: Sun and high cloud
Temp: 14ºC
Wind: low to nil
BPM: 162
Stride: n/a
Weight: 166.5 pounds
Total distance to date: 3382
Device used: Apple Watch and iPhone 6
I am gently pushing myself toward a full 10K run and today did my first 8K. Exercising (ho ho) caution, I deliberately set a more moderate pace, reflected in both a lower BPM and an average pace a few seconds higher than previous 7Ks. Still, 5:55/km for the first 8K is not shabby and I experienced no particular discomfort along the way.
It was warm, though. Even though the temperature was a little lower than on Thursday–14ºC vs. 17ºC–it felt warmer because I was in direct sunlight for longer periods, it was early afternoon and there was virtually no breeze. It was like a very early preview of the Africa hot days of summer.
The trail was also rather crowded, especially through the first half. Even the normally quiet Piper Mill Trail was packed full of people with ATV strollers. As I approached Eagle Creek bridge a large group of nature photographers were gathered, all of them pointing their cameras up at an animal sitting in the top of a tree adjacent to the trail. I didn’t stop but at a glance I thought it might have been a raccoon. Raccoons aren’t exactly exotic so would that many people stop to take pictures of one? Maybe. Or maybe it was some super-rare species and I totally missed out because I was too busy sweating and running.
Also, amazingly, every dog I saw on the trail was on leash for perhaps the only time ever.
There was one cyclist, she passed me just as I was nearing the exit of Avalon Trail (which is close to where I started). I gave her a dirty look she never saw. I shall cherish it.
The Hoka Speedgoats have apparently finished bleeding blue into my socks or the amount is now small enough for me to not notice. That’s good, I guess. It would have been better to have not happened at all but you takes what you can gets. I’m still thinking about getting some fancier laces like these as one or both of the shoes always feels like it’s on the verge of coming untied when I run, even when it never actually comes untied.
Overall today’s run was a nice step (!) toward getting to 10K.
