Stuff happens and suddenly it’s been 12 days since I last ran.
Just hours after posting my best pace in two years, I felt a scratchiness in my throat and then got a full-blown cold, with all attendant symptoms. I pondered running this past Friday but decided I wasn’t ready.
Today, I was, but not quite fully ready. I opted to do a mini-run of 2.5 km to get back into it and it went well, but I can feel my lungs are still not back to 100%. I think I could have done 5 km, but didn’t want to push it and feel miserable after. My pace was 5:42/km, which is pretty decent after such a long layoff and not yet fully recovered.
Conditions were decent, with clouds and a few bits of blue sky poking out here and there. There was little wind, which helped, with the temperature being down to only 10C when I started. I wore a long-sleeved shirt and two layers, more concerned about not getting cold than I was being overdressed. I may have been fine with the long-sleeved shirt, but I was definitely not too warm.
Signs of the storm that swept through the last two days were everywhere, with twigs and other tree bits scattered all over the trail, some almost too big to move by hand (but which were not directly in the way). One exception came when I approached the intersection of the main trail and then turnoff to the Piper Mill Trail. A barricade was in place closing off the main trail due to “hazard tree”. Presumably, “hazard tree” being down and not yet cut up and moved out of the way.
I am pretty sure I know which tree came down and if I’m right, it was a huge old tree that has been leaning over the trail at a 45-degree angle for many years. Every time I’ve walked under it, I’ve always thought it was one big storm away from coming down.
I’ll probably be able to confirm in the next few days.
Overall, though, the run went decently, particularly with so many days off. I’ll do the other 2.5 km next time, then go back to my regular routine. Here’s hoping I catch a few more breaks in the weather.
Stats:
Run 894
Average pace: 5:42/km
Training status: Strained1
Location: Burnaby Lake
Start: 10:50 a.m.
Distance: 2.50 km
Time: 14:17
Weather: Cloudy
Temp: 10-11°C
Humidity: 89%
Wind: light
BPM: 151
Weight: 166.5
Total distance to date: 6,327.5 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: HOKA Speedgoat 6 (112.5/220/332.5)
