Run 511
Average pace: 5:34/km
Location: Burnaby Lake (CCW)
Start: 9:45 am
Distance: 10.02 km
Time: 55:52
Weather: Overcast, light showers
Temp: 17ºC
Humidity: 82%
Wind: light
BPM: 159
Weight: 160.9 pounds
Total distance to date: 3964 km
Devices: Apple Watch, iPhone
Today I planned to run my first 10K of the year. And I did.
Today the forecast said it might shower. And it did.
But I didn’t care! It actually didn’t start to shower until nearly the 9 km mark and even then it was more of a light drizzle than rain.
I headed out early because I knew it would be a lot harder to motivate myself if it did start to shower before I got outside. Once I’m out and heading to the run I’m committed, regardless of the weather. Well, I’d probably reconsider if the weather was erupting volcano or something.
I started around 9:45 a.m. and it was around 17ºC, so pretty comfy for running, especially without the sun beating down from above (not that I don’t love you, sun–you can come back now). It had sprinkled earlier so the air was still quite humid and I sweated copiously during the run. Again, this was different than sweating from the heat of the sun. I’m not sure how to describe the difference. It was wetter? Everything was wetter.
There were actually quite a few other runners out, including an entire gaggle that came running in together just before I started near the dam. Pedestrians were fewer but still more plentiful than expected, given the gloomy sky. I guess clouds aren’t as scary on weekends.
I started with a slower pace, knowing I was likely to commit to a full 10K, and kept the pace very steady, with no greater than a ten second variance at any point. In fact, here it is, straight from the Activity app:
I found some pep at the midway point and again in the final km, when the end was in sight, but stayed pretty consistent, otherwise. Even better, I had no issues at all–no cramping, no soreness in either foot. I had no real doubt I’d push through to 10K but the first long run of the year you never know until you’re actually out there. A pace of 5:34/km for the first 10K is pretty good for me. It’s better than some of the 7K times I’ve pulled recently.
Also I forgot to mention it, but I saw a cute brown bunny hop across the trail in front of me on Thursday’s run. I don’t think bunnies are supposed to be there, so it was probably a released pet or the offspring of the same. It was still very cute.
Overall, I’m pleased with today’s run and the week in total. This is the first time this year I’ve done an extended run all three days: 7K. 7K and 10K. My amazing math skills tell me that’s 24 km. Not too shabby.
