Run 877: Sun makes you slower

View from Cariboo Dam, pre-run.

I made a tactical error even before setting out for the run: I headed out about an hour later than intended. This notably meant that it would be a little warmer and that the sun would be out.

This turned out to be significant because, as the titles says, the sun makes you slower. While the conditions don’t seem all that different from Monday, the higher temperature, sun and humidity combined to make it feel a lot harder to get the same results. I started slower at 5:41/km, but that’s still pretty good. Dropped to 5:47/km for the second km, which is fine. But the third km my pace cratered to 6:04/km. That is a huge drop and even looking at the numbers now, it doesn’t seem possible.

When I hit that third km, I paused the run, walked forward and then back to where I had paused, probably about 30 seconds of walking in total, then resumed the run. This breather allowed my hart rate to drop to around 130 or so and gave me enough boost to finish with an overall average of 5:51/km. Kinda cheating, but I’ll take it.

Friday looks like it may be partly cloudy and a bit cooler. I’ll take it!

Other than the sun leaching all my atamina, the run was fine. My right leg felt a bit sore, mostly around the shi, on the walk back, but it settled down after a while and in the end it seems fine.

The trail weas unusually busy, especially in the area east of Piper Spit, with people all bunched up with dogs and kids and things. None of this presented any issue, though, which was nice.

The river trail was once again All Dogs Unleashed, but at least the dogs behaved themselves, even if the owners didn’t.

Brunette River, post-run. Not seen: all the dogs scampering about off-leash.

Stats:

Run 877
Average pace: 5:51/km

Training status: Productive
Location: Burnaby Lake (CCW, short loop)
Start: 11:13 a.m.
Distance: 5.03 km
Time: 29:25
Weather: Mostly sunny
Temp: 20-21°C
Humidity: 71-67%
Wind: light
BPM: 154
Weight: 167.3
Total distance to date: 6,245 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: HOKA Speedgoat 6 (30/59/89)

Run 876: Clouds make you faster

View from Cariboo Dam, pre-run: Actual clouds and temperatures in the teens.

Weirdly, I started today’s run at almost the exact same time as the last one, off my only two minutes.

I was originally planning on running counter-clockwise, but changed my mind when I got to the lake and did a clockwise short loop, turning around just past the halfway mark–which is unusual for me, because I usually run about 3 km before turning back, as I like the little psychological boost of having less to run on the way back.

Conditions were different enough to be noticeable (listed in order of importance):

  1. 18C instead of 22-24C
  2. Cloudy instead of sunny
  3. Humidity in the 70s instead of 60s

The higher humidity was effectively cancelled out by the cloud cover and cooler temperature. The combination made a huge difference in my energy level. Unlike the previous run, I did not try to store any reserves during the first km. I didn’t go all-out, either, I just ran at a steady pace. That pace turned out to be 5:31/km, which was a lot faster than I expected, but I maintained a pace of around 5:48 for the next three km, and wrapped up with 5:35/km on the final stretch, for an average of 5:42/km. This is a staggering 25 seconds faster than last Wednesday’s run, resulting in a total time more than two minutes shorter. Another indicator of how better the conditions were: My BPM dropped to 151 vs. 156 for the previous run. I was faster and didn’t even work as hard.

Clouds really do make you faster.

The energy boost even persisted through the walk home. It was weird, because I was actually concerned I would feel slow and tired. I am happy to be wrong!

There were a number of other runners out, but the trail was otherwise pretty quiet. Clouds make you faster, but they also scare away people. Some were dressed like it was suddenly mid-fall.

And while the lake trail was fine, the river trail was once again a Dogs Run Free zone, with multiple dogs running around sans leash. I’d call the city of Metro Vancouver or whatever, but know it’s pointless. It’s basically an honour system with no real enforcement, and about half of all dog owners seem to think their dogs are too precious for leashes. Whatever.

It still doesn’t take away from my buzz over such a pleasant and zippy run!

Looking west, just past the Cariboo Dam, post-run.

Stats:

Run 876
Average pace: 5:42/km

Training status: Productive
Location: Burnaby Lake (CW, short loop)
Start: 11:55 a.m.
Distance: 5.03 km
Time: 28:41
Weather: Cloudy
Temp: 18°C
Humidity: 76-74%
Wind: light
BPM: 151
Weight: 166.9
Total distance to date: 6,240 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: HOKA Speedgoat 6 (25/51/76)

Run 875: Oh the humidity

View from Cariboo Dam, pre-run.

I’m sure I’ve used that title before.

But it still fits! It was fairly humid and reasonably warm for today’s run. I started a little later than normal and only semi-cheated today, as I ran to the fountain at the Nature House (just over 2 km in) to grab a quick drink at the fountain.

I checked my watch multiple times in the last km. I wasn’t hurting, but I still wanted the run to end. I wanted to not run. I wanted to lay down in the warm, soft grass.

The starting km was at a more casual pace–I always think this will help me conserve energy for later in the run, but that never seems to happen, so it just drags down my overall pace. Speaking of pace, it was 6:02 in that first km, which is pretty dang slow. The good news is I at least maintained that pace for the second km.

But then I slipped to 6:13 for the third and sputtered to 6:18 for the fourth. I didn’t feel awful, I just had very little forward movement, which is necessary for running. I resolved to push a little for the final km, and did that one in my best overall of 5:58. This brought my overall average to 6:07/km, which is not good but is also not horrible.

The trail was fairly quiet, so I didn’t encounter many people. Between the second and third km, an excavator was digging out a ditch on the north side of the trail, presumably to help with drainage. There was a guy standing away from it on both sides, getting people to stop until they could signal to the excavator guy (EG) to stop digging. He did this by setting the shovel down gently on the trail, as if in solemn ceremony. I almost wanted to salute or bow or something. Instead, I just ran and offered a friendly little wave.

The day started with an early trip to the store, so at 2:47 p.m. I am already at 30,000+ steps. I think I may go lay down for a bit now.

Here’s to Friday’s run being hopefully a bit cooler and maybe a bit faster.

Bridge over Still Creek, post-run.

Stats:

Run 875
Average pace: 6:07/km

Training status: Productive
Location: Burnaby Lake (CCW)
Start: 11:53 a.m.
Distance: 5.03 km
Time: 30:44
Weather: Sunny
Temp: 23-24°C
Humidity: 67-65%
Wind: light to moderate
BPM: 155
Weight: 167.0
Total distance to date: 6,235 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: HOKA Speedgoat 6 (20/43/63)

Run 874: Humid, with cheating

View from Cariboo Dam, pre-run.

Monday’s run went sideways when I walked to the river trail (1.5 km) and realized I’d forgotten my SPI-belt™. It’s where I stash my phone when I run and keeping it in my pocket isn’t really practical, as it tugs on my shorts while jogging. I walked back (it was showering steadily at the time) and got the belt, but then decided to dry off a bit before heading back out, then ultimately put off the whole thing because at that point I was soaked and super unmotivated.

But today was different! It was merely cloudy, so off I went, planning and successfully executing a short counter-clockwise loop at the lake. I started late, but temperatures were still mild. What was not mild was the humidity, which started at 76% and only dropped slightly over the course of the run.

I was a bit droopy to start, with a pace of 5:58/km, then picked up a bit to 5:56/km, then an entire metaphorical wheel fell off as I slipped to 6:11/km. I ran to the 3K marker and decided to take a brief pause, by walking the short distance to Phillips Point, taking two photos, then walking back to the 3K marker and resuming the last 2K. This gave me my two best laps: 5:52 and 5:49/km. I was feeling a bit drained by the finish and I’ll admit to glancing at my watch a couple of times to see how much farther I had to go. But I managed to slip in under 6:00 minutes, with an average of 5:58/km. Woo (even with the cheating).

Interestingly, my BPM was lower at 151, likely because the humidity was moderating my pace. The trail was busier than expected, possibly due to my being out early afternoon instead of mid-morning, or maybe people were just excited to get out after two days of showers.

Also, summer is apparently “let your dog run free” time, if the river trail is any indication. That’s all I’ll say about that. [angry emoji here]

Overall, though, a decent effort and hopefully part of a successful return to regular runs.

Phillips Point, during the 3K break.

Stats:

Run 874
Average pace: 5:58/km

Training status: Productive
Location: Burnaby Lake (CCW, short loop)
Start: 12:36 p.m.
Distance: 5.03 km
Time: 29:59
Weather: Mostly cloudy
Temp: 21-22°C
Humidity: 76-74%
Wind: light
BPM: 151
Weight: 166.9
Total distance to date: 6,230 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: HOKA Speedgoat 6 (15/34/49)

Run 868: Fixing a hole

View from Cariboo Dam, pre-run.

It has been 18 days since my first 5K in two months. This was not my intention.

But after running on June 13th, I came down with a summer cold, curiously around the same time one struck last year. And so it was I had to wait until I was mostly recovered before officially tackling a 5K again. I knew that the combo of not running much plus not being 100% would affect my pace, and it did. I turned in my first 6+ minute pace in quite some time, coming in at 6:08/km.

Which wasn’t so bad vs. how I felt, because by the end that 5 km was feeling more like 500.

On the plus side, I am suffering no ill effects post-run, and didn’t have any issues while running, other than feeling very slow and tired. I completed the first km with a pace of 5:50, but could feel myself slowing in the second, where I dropped to 6:08. I dropped to 6:18 on the third and decided to cheat just a little.

At the 3K marker (the actual marker, I had already passed 3 km total), I paused the run, then walked to Phillips Point, which, according to Google Maps, is about a 168 m round-trip. There were a couple of people fishing there, which was a bit weird, so I only paused for a moment before heading back to the 3K marker and resuming the run. This allowed my heart rate to drop from 158 to 141, which definitely helped on the last two km, which had paces of 6:13 and 6:10.

After finishing the run, I made a beeline across the field to the drinking fountain at the playground and supped on it like a very thirsty runner.

Another plus: My training status went from Recovery to Productive. Woo!

Although humidity was high, my lips felt a bit dry, though I didn’t experience any notable dry mouth. I hate dry mouth.

And as it was Canada Day, the trail was more crowded than usual, but all dogs were leashed and people were attentive, even considerate! Hooray for polite Canadians.

Oh, and the title refers to the numerous potholes along the trail that have recently been patched. Some sections could still use a full resurfacing, but no signs of it yet. And speaking of resurfacing, of a sort, the first boardwalk as you go clockwise is canting at even more diverse angles than before. It is over two years since the signs there went up noting that “repairs are planned.” Hopefully they will happen before the boardwalk sinks into the marsh.

Overall, it was good to get back out, good to prove I could still do 5K, and hopefully the next run will be a bit easier and happen in a few days and not a few weeks.

A lake of lily pads, post-run.

Stats:

Run 868
Average pace: 6:08/km

Training status: Productive
Location: Burnaby Lake (CCW)
Start: 11:29 a.m.
Distance: 5.03 km
Time: 30:51
Weather: Sunny
Temp: 20°C
Humidity: 68-66%
Wind: light
BPM: 155
Weight: 169.0
Total distance to date: 6,210 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: HOKA Speedgoat 5 (350/681/1031 km)

Run 867: Thursday! 5K!

View from Carioob Dam, pre-run.

I was bad/lazy and did not run on Monday or Wednesday. The forecast said today would be sunny and pleasant, and the next three days after would be wet and yucky. I pondered. And then decided I would go out today and do that 5K I had been promising myself I would do for weeks.

And I did!

Conditions were similar to the last run, and though it was a few degrees cooler, it felt about the same, due to slightly higher humidity. Dry mouth was not a big issue, however I did find myself wishing I had brought water with me, because I don’t just have dry mouth, I have DMAPT1Dry Mouth And Phlegmy Throat. I don’t know why I have so much phlegm in my throat and I may consult my doctor again to discuss it. What it means for running is that when I have a dry mouth, my throat is so filled with gunk that it becomes hard to swallow, which is already a bit of a challenge with regular dry mouth. It was only a notable issue at one point, but that was enough to make me pine for my water bottle.

Other than that, the run went pretty much as I expected. The knees were fine, my stamina was well off its peak. Each km I got slower until I just edged past 6:00/km on the fourth lap. I picked up the pace for Lap 5 to 5:55 and that lifted my overall pace to 5:53/km. Sluggish, but unsurprising. I actually didn’t find myself struggling, I just chugged along until I hit 5K.

My sometimes iffy right hip was also fine until the walk home. It is fine again now that I am not walking.

Several bad people had their dogs off-leash, but on the river trail, so my run was unaffected.

Overall, I’m glad I finally got another 5K in, even if it took almost exactly two months–my last 5K was on April 12, the day I re-injured the right knee. Yoinks.

Still Creek, post-run.

Stats:

Run 867
Average pace: 5:53/km

Training status: Productive
Location: Burnaby Lake (CW)
Start: 10:35 a.m.
Distance: 5.03 km
Time: 29:37
Weather: Sunny
Temp: 17°C
Humidity: 59%
Wind: light
BPM: 156
Weight: 169.4
Total distance to date: 6,205 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: HOKA Speedgoat 5 (345/663/1008 km)

Run 862: Left knee, right knee

View from Cariboo Dam, pre-run
GRISLY UPDATE: Well, not really grisly, I just wanted to be dramatic. I noticed after getting home that my right knee felt...funny. I gave it a good look-see and alas, there is an unmistakable Baker's cyst lurking in the back. It is a mystery how it developed so quickly, as my running has been very spotty lately. But maybe they do that. Anyway, we'll see how it evolves over the next few days while I not-run.

Also, who would want a cyst named after them? I mean, yuck.

Weirdly, I started today’s run at nearly the exact same time as Wednesday. Although it promised to be cloudy and slightly cooler, I opted again for a t-shirt and, again, was fine.

Conditions actually turned out better than expected, with the sun regularly appearing from behind the high cloud. At times, it even felt a tad humid, given the showers earlier in the morning.

There were two issues today: my left knee and my right knee.

The left knee felt a bit janky early on (I stretched before the run), in a way that made me feel like everything wasn’t quite in the right place. This sorted itself after a minute or so. Later in the run, something similar happened with the right knee, and it also sorted itself out in a minute or thereabouts. I’m very wary of knee issues after last year, but I don’t think these incidents are a cause for concern. I note them here just in case, so I can point to them and offer myself a Nelson Muntz-style, “Ha ha!” in case this is the beginning of another long episode of When Knees Go Bad.

Other than that, the run went well. I had the same middle sag, but turned in a better overall pace because I only lost a little speed on the second km. The trail was mostly clear and puddle-dodging was minimal. The “Strained” training status is likely a combo of my HRV status taking a nosedive in the last few days, along with my sleep score from last night saying I was awake too much and might not feel rested today. Or something. Who knows how all this stuff fits together.

And now, a weekend to rest ‘n recover.

View of Burnaby Lake from turtle nesting area, post-run.

Stats:

Run 862
Average pace: 5:46/km

Training status: Strained (!)
Location: Burnaby Lake (CW)
Start: 11:03 a.m.
Distance: 5:03 km
Time: 28:59
Weather: Sun and cloud mix
Temp: 10°C
Humidity: 81-79%
Wind: light
BPM: 152
Weight: 168.8
Total distance to date: 6190 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: HOKA Speedgoat 5 (330/610/940 km)

Run 861: Birb crazy

View from Cariboo Dam, pre-run. Definitely looking more spring-like than 11 days ago.

This was my first run in 11 days. If you read the previous post, you’ll see I had both good and bad reasons for missing the last four or five runs. Today, it promised to be sunny, mild, and I had no real excuses, so out I went.

And it was fine!

I opted for a t-shirt and with the wind low and the sun mostly out (and feeling a tiny bit warm now that spring is here), I was not at all cold or uncomfortable. I walked to the lake and did a short loop going counter-clockwise, starting by the fountain and then turning back right at the 3K marker. I ended my run just before reaching the 1K marker.

After being in a glum mood for a while (also see the previous post), I found it darkly amusing that these three songs popped up in consecutive order as I started my run:

  • Goodbye Cruel World (Pink Floyd)
  • It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine) (R.E.M.)
  • Everyday is Like Sunday (Morrissey)

(For those unaware, “Everyday is Like Sunday” regularly calls for the coming of Armageddon and atomic bombs.)

Despite the downer tunes, the run went well, with no issues, even after the week-and-a-half layoff. I started out OK with a pace of 5:47/km (I was keen to not push things) and ended strong with 5:38/km, while being a bit pokier in the middle. My BPM was actually the same as the last run, which is actually not bad at all.

As for the birbs, they were indeed everywhere. I swear the same song sparrow I nearly stepped on was on the trail ahead of me again. It really didn’t want to move and instead just keep flying low and stopping a short distance ahead of me. I’d get close, it repeated, until I finally actually moved over to the left to give it more room, and it seemed content to stay. It was still pecking around the same area when I looped back later. I also saw a pair of Steller’s jays at the same spot I’d seen a pair before (the intersection of the main trail and Conifer Loop). There are clearly shenanigans happening.

I also saw a pair of squirrels either fighting over a log or doing a squirrel courtship over a log. I am not a squirrelologist, so I couldn’t tell.

I also saw lots of robins, towhees, juncos and what I think was the rump of a Northern flicker heading into some trees. To clarify, the entire bird headed into the trees, I could only see the rump part of it. I even saw a pair of hooded mergansers drifting down the river post-run. Everywhere you go, it’s gonna be birds.

As a bonus, Metro Vancouver was finally convinced spring is here and the water fountain by the dam is open again. I sampled its deliciously cold water.

Hooray! (until October)

Another sign of spring: little bitty lily pads are starting to dot the surface of the lake again.

It was nice to be out again.

A squrrel atop a stump, post-run. (Post-run for me, not the squirrel.)

Stats:

Run 861
Average pace: 5:49/km

Training status: Maintaining
Location: Burnaby Lake (CCW, short loop)
Start: 11:06 a.m.
Distance: 5:03 km
Time: 29:17
Weather: Sun and high cloud mix
Temp: 11-12°C
Humidity: 57-55%
Wind: light
BPM: 153
Weight: 168.9
Total distance to date: 6190 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: HOKA Speedgoat 5 (330/610/940 km)

Run 860: A trail less taken

View from Cariboo Dam, pre-run. Calm and mild.

I did run on Monday or Wednesday. I sort of had an excuse on Monday, but Wednesday was just me not feeling like it (the weather was bad, too). Today, even though it’s a stat holiday, I headed out. It helped that the weather was mild and pleasant–actually feeling warmer than the reported temperature.

Because it’s Good Friday, I expected more people than usual on the trail and as I started out, running clockwise, I had a wacky idea, which was to head down the Avalon Trail and then, instead of turning onto the South Shore Trail and the usual loop around the lake, to keep going straight onto the Freeway Trail, which is noisy and not very scenic.

And I did!

I ran around 2 km, basically the entire length before it becomes paved, and turned off at the second-to-last point to get back onto the main loop. I encountered two people walking and a giant group of cyclists, though they passed by without incident. I was otherwise by myself, save for the constant roar of the traffic from the highway, which is surprisingly close to the trail at some points.

As for the run itself, I started strong at 5:35/km, then flagged to 5:53/km. I got my proverbial mojo back and finished at a perfectly cromulent 5:44/km, an improvement over my last pace. Unlike the last run, I didn’t experience any issues. The weather probably helped.

It was nice to get back out.

Still Creek, post-run. The ripples are from a diving cormorant.

Stats:

Run 860
Average pace: 5:44/km
Training status: Maintaining
Location: Burnaby Lake (CW)
Start: 12:26 p.m.
Distance: 5:02 km
Time: 28:49
Weather: Partly cloudy
Temp: 10-11C
Humidity: 69-65%
Wind: light
BPM: 153
Weight: 169.0
Total distance to date: 6185 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: HOKA Speedgoat 5 (325/602/927 km)

Run 859: Wet and not wild

View from Cariboo Dam, pre-run. It looks nicer than it was.

I missed Wednesday due to petition sign-ups (don’t ask) and skipped Friday because I was feeling lazy and ennui-ish. I paid for it, though, because yesterday the weather was fairly benign, if not pleasant, and today it was rain, rain, rain.

I opted to wear my light rain jacket and on balance I think it was the right call, though I dislike running with a jacket of any kind. Better than getting soaked, though.

I knew things were going to be a bit dodgy when my pace for the first km was a lowly 5:52/km. I trudged on, got a bit faster, then slower, then finished by getting faster again, enough to keep my overall pace to a not-terrible 5:51/km.

I did experience a minor issue for the last few km, a mild stitch in my lower left abdomen. It was weak enough that it didn’t affect my pace, but was enough to at least notice. No other issues, though, other than just getting wet and not really enjoying it.

As expected, the weather kept the trails pretty clear. I probably saw more joggers than pedestrians, plus a few ducks and a goose that was sitting in a weird spot really close to the trail, because that’s what geese do.

In the end, I’m glad I got out, despite the weather. I will celebrate by eating an entire carton of ice cream1In my imagination. That stuff is expensive.!

Turtle nesting area, post-run. Accurate depiction of conditions.
Run 859
Average pace: 5:51/km
Training status: Maintaining
Location: Burnaby Lake (CCW, short loop)
Start: 1:00 p.m.
Distance: 5:03 km
Time: 29:23
Weather: Light rain
Temp: 10C
Humidity: 85%
Wind: light
BPM: 152
Weight: 169.0
Total distance to date: 6180 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: HOKA Speedgoat 5 (320/589/909 km)

Run 858: My SPIbelt is now a DIEbelt

View from Cariboo Dam, pre-run. Clear and calm.

Also, this was the last run of Winter 2023-24, as tomorrow is the first day of spring, woo.

I got out early and the run was much better, as 12-14C is only slightly warmer than normal for this time of year, so my body wasn’t having to adjust to weird, summer-like temperatures. I was still able to comfortably wear just a t-shirt and shorts, though.

I got off to a good start, then managed to keep pace for the second km, then flagged a bit in the middle, picking up again for a solid finish and one of my best overall times in a while at 5:42/km. My BPM was also a nice 151. I admit I did feel like I was pushing in terms of my current stamina level, but this is good, because it should help me to improve my overall fitness, as long as my knees don’t suddenly explode (they have been fine so far this year).

But the real nice part was the lack of crowds. Mid-morning on a Monday and I only saw a few people walking and some others jogging (more the latter). It was nice to have the space again. The sunny weather was a bonus.

As for my SPIbelt1The official name is Small Personal Items Belt, hence the whole SPI thing, the elastic is all but shot now and the belt, even when I have the phone nuzzled into the small of my back, no longer holds securely, so it’s time to get a new one. I realize, looking back, that I’ve had this since I got an iPhone 6 back in 2014, so it’s not like I didn’t get good mileage out of it. I guess I’m just cheap. But now I must overcome my cheapness, because having my phone bobble around while running is not desirable. I could skip the phone and load music onto my watch, but I’ve never been fond of the limits there, either.

But overall, a good run to start the week. Wednesday is looking cloudy and slightly cooler, so should be fine. We will see.

Brunette River, post-run. Some more green, and it isn’t just moss!
Run 858
Average pace: 5:42/km
Training status: Overreaching
Location: Burnaby Lake (CW, short loop)
Start: 10:39 a.m.
Distance: 5:03 km
Time: 28:42
Weather: Sunny
Temp: 12-14C
Humidity: 67-63%
Wind: light
BPM: 151
Weight: 169.5
Total distance to date: 6175 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: HOKA Speedgoat 5 (315/581/896 km)

Run 857: Mid-March summer preview

View from Cariboo Dam, pre-run. 19C and sunny. Very weird!

Today was a weird run day:

  • I don’t normally run on weekends
  • I don’t normally run in the afternoon
  • The temperature was 19C, which is something that would happen more commonly in June than in March
  • For all of the above reasons, the trail was fairly packed full of people

The reason for running today is I missed Friday’s run due to birding and wanted to keep to my usual three-times-a-week cadence, so today was the day to go. I put in over 24,000 steps yesterday while birding and ran on Thursday, so I was starting to push a bit on the ol’ exercise. Sure enough, my training status went from Productive after the run to Overreaching for the walk around the rest of the lake. Whoopsie.

The run started much the same as last time, which an opening pace of 5:36/km, but after that my body began to soak in that 19 degrees and the rest of the way felt a lot harder. My times began edging closer to the six-minute mark, but I found enough reserve to bring my pace in the final km down again to 5:45/km, giving me a respectable 5:50/km overall average. I was definitely feeling more winded than usual at the end.

I also silently cursed two cyclists, who studied a map of the lake loop for some time before deciding they decided to just ignore it and ride around the lake anyway. I told them as they rode by me that bikes weren’t allowed on the trail, but they were wearing their WE CAN’T HEAR YOU LALALA faces and kept going. They were among the million or so people on the trail, though the only ones I encountered on bikes.

And really, even though it felt nice to run in the warm sun again after so many cold morning runs, I would take the cold and attendant solitude of running on a weekday morning over what I experienced today–just without the rain, thanks!

Monday is looking like another unusually warm day, with a forecast high of 20C, but I’ll run in the morning when it will be a more civilized 12-14C.

Overall, this was an odd run, with the combination of the crowds and the surreal weather proving a bit much both mentally and physically. I didn’t encounter any real issues, though I felt what might have been a ghost of a stitch as I neared the 4K mark, but it ultimately didn’t amount to anything.

The skunk cabbage is starting to bloom, but is still pre-stinky.

Stats:

Run 857
Average pace: 5:50/km
Training status: Overreaching
Location: Burnaby Lake (CCW
Start: 2:04 p.m.
Distance: 5:03 km
Time: 29:21
Weather: Sunny
Temp: 19ºC
Humidity: 48-46%
Wind: light
BPM: 152
Weight: 170.0
Total distance to date: 6170 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: HOKA Speedgoat 5 (310/573/883 km)