Run 823: A trail less travelled

View from Cariboo Dam, pre-run. Here comes the sun (for a change).

My goal today was to just hit around 150 BPM, meaning a likely slower run. As a pleasant change of pace, it was sunny, though at 10C at the start, the coldest run of the fall to date. It was fine once I got started.

I planned a short loop going clockwise and noticed a new sign before heading out:

The bears are back in town

Now, the odds of encountering a bear are pretty small. By the time the sighting is reported and a park worker puts up the bear signs, the big lug has probably moved on or gotten picked up by someone while hitchhiking on nearby Highway 1. But it made me think, maybe this is a sign (ho ho) to shake things up a bit, so I did!

Specifically, I ran about 2.6 km and instead of just heading back the way I came, I detoured at a convenient side trail that connects to the Freeway Trail. The Freeway Trail is a place I normally avoid. It’s completely exposed (no tree cover), so tends to be brutal in the summer, and, as you might guess, it’s close to the freeway, which is not really conducive to tranquil runs through the forest. But today I wanted a change, so I took it. Because the trail is fairly straight, it improved my overall pace, though my left big toe came to regret it.

Why the toe regret? Multiple times I kicked loose gravel with the tip of my shoe, launching said gravel into the air, only to have it land on the not-padded top of my shoe, right above the big toe, and then, as my foot would lift to take the next step, the gravel would ricochet off in a way that actually smarted a bit. Basically, my big toe was acting like a rock launcher.

The Freeway Trail was fine, otherwise. I did not see anyone else in the approximate 2 km I ran along it.

Post-run, a guy jogged past me and made a beeline to the water fountain, only to find this:

No water for you! (Until March 2024)

He immediately started checking his watch, as if he totally didn’t want a drink, anyway. Sadly, this means people will need to BYOB to the lake for probably the next four months or so. Stupid winter and freezing temperatures.

Overall, the run went well. I hit my goal of 150 BPM and got in a good pace while doing it at 5:43/km. My left knee felt a bit stiff as I started walking back, but it limbered up before I got home. It seems okay now. I ponder what to do for Friday, but at least the weather still looks good.

Fall colours along the Brunette River Conservation Area, post-run

Stats:

Run 823
Average pace: 5:43/km
Training status: Maintaining
Location: Burnaby Lake (CW, short loop)
Start: 12:37 p.m.
Distance: 5:03 km
Time: 28:48
Weather: Sunny
Temp: 10-11ºC
Humidity: 54%
Wind: light
BPM: 150
Weight: 168.1
Total distance to date: 5995 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: HOKA Speedgoat 5 (130/251/381 km)

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