I was expecting a low-key run this morning, with middling to average performance, mainly due to the last few days being stressful, this morning being very stressful, and getting up two hours earlier than normal (at 5 a.m.), ergo not getting enough sleep.
In fact, even though I wore the Garmin Forerunner to bed, it didn’t record any sleep data, like it was telling me I literally didn’t sleep long enough for it to count.
There was also a 50% chance of precipitation, but I gambled and wore my windbreaker with one layer. It actually started clearing up as I ran, so I won, woo.
I headed out earlier than ever, about 10 minutes before sunrise (it’s already light at that time) and started the run at 8:20 a.m., opting for counter-clockwise. For most of the first half, I just kept a steady pace and did not check my BPM.
At the 1K mark, a shoelace came untied, which was odd, but that was the only real issue. Unlike Wednesday, there was pretty much no wind at all, and by the 4th km, I was warm enough that I actually took off my jacket and tied it around my waist. I didn’t put it on until I was about 2 km away from home, when I finally had cooled down enough to start feeling the morning chill again.
I almost stopped to take a photo from the bridge at Still Creek, as the sun and clouds were reflecting in a postcard-perfect way, but decided to just keep on going.
In the end I surprised myself by nailing my target BPM of 150, and hitting an average pace of 5:46/km, which is not as blazing fast as Wednesday, but still quite zippy–and fast enough to earn the fastest 1K award.
Other than the conditions being mild (no hands tucked in the sleeves) and just generally getting in better shape, I have no explanation for the improved performance, but I think these two things are the major factors. Both are good and nice!
Beating potential rain is also a nice bonus.
We’ll see what Monday brings.
Stats:
Run 755 Average pace: 5:46/km Location: Burnaby Lake (CCW) Start: 8:20 a.m. Distance: 10.04 km Time: 57:52 Weather: Partly sunny Temp: 5-6ºC Humidity: 83% Wind: low BPM: 150 Weight: 162.7 Total distance to date: 5610 km Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation) Shoes: Saucony Peregrine 12 (282 km)
