Brunette River Trail runs

We are in the midst of a four day “atmospheric river event” which means rain and plenty of it. I checked the forecast and tried to time today’s run during the one likely gap in the showers. And I mostly got it, woo. It sprinkled briefly around the 2K mark, but was otherwise dry for the run. It rained on the walk back, but it was more a steady drizzle, so I didn’t get drenched like last Wednesday. Nice, I sez.

As for the run, I started out a bit sluggish and flagged a bit on the second km, but picked up speed and finished with a pace of 5:43/km, a little slower than Friday, but also with a BPM of 147, which was appropriately lower. My max heart rate got adjusted on the Garmin watch to 165, so I have a goof amount of headroom.

The river trail was fairly quiet, though I did see a semi-regular out for a walk, all bundled up. Speaking of, I wore my three winter layers because it was around 5C when I was originally going to head out, but rose to 8C by the time I left, so I was a bit overdressed. Still, always better to be over than under in the winter. You can always shed layers, but you can’t magically manifest them out of nowhere (if anyone can do this, please teach me).

In all, a good start to what is likely to be a soggy ol’ week.

Stats:

Run 1,017
Average pace: 5:43/km
Training status: Productive
Location: Brunette River Trail
Start: 1:17 p.m.
Distance: 5.04 km
Time: 28:50
Weather: Cloudy, some sprinkles
Temp: 8°C
Humidity: 87%
Wind: light
BPM: 147
Weight: 170.8 pounds
Total distance to date: 6,910 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 265, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: Saucony Peregrine 15 (180/265/445)

Music: Shuffle mode

The forecast was calling for heavy (steady) rain today, so there was no avoiding it. I put on three layers, adjusted the belt that holds my phone (by removing the onion tied to it–OK, I just had it tightened up, as it had been growing slack) and headed out, bracing for a lot of wet.

I was not disappointed. Except by how it was much milder and nicer running in mid-January.

I saw one cyclist at the start and one guy out on a walk with a giant umbrella, but otherwise had the trail to myself. It was 5C, the weather app said it felt like 2C, which seemed about right, and the rain, though light, was constant. My running gear is tumbling in the dryer as I’m typing this.

Strangely, my stats ended up nearly identical to Monday, despite the change in weather. My BPM was a bit higher at 147, but my overall pace was the same–5:47/km. My total time was only two seconds off from Monday and that’s probably because I walked the first few steps instead of running. I am nothing if not consistent.

The only problem during the run was just the usual with wet weather–lower visibility, having to navigate around sometimes gigantic puddles and just generally getting soaked and cold. I’m sure it builds character or something.

Anyway, I’m on track for a regular week of running, we’ll see if it continues.

Stats:

Run 1,015
Average pace: 5:47/km
Training status: Productive
Location: Brunette River Trail
Start: 11:52 a.m.
Distance: 5.03 km
Time: 29:07
Weather: Steady light rain
Temp: 5°C
Humidity: 90%
Wind: light
BPM: 147
Weight: 170.0 pounds
Total distance to date: 6,900 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 265, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: Saucony Peregrine 15 (170/249/419)

Music: Shuffle mode

It’s been a week since the last run and despite The Rains, I knew I had to go out today and get wet. And also run.

Which I did.

Big river: After nearly two weeks of dry weather, we’ve had a few days with pretty steady rain, so the river was very high. Not high enough that I was in danger of it sloshing around my feet, but I could hear the water roaring past over the music playing on my AirPods (bonus rant about music in another post).

The laces, which behaved last Monday, behaved for the first half of the run, then the left lace untied itself. I tied it up and about 20 seconds later it came untied again. I pondered and settled on a double bow, which held for the rest of the run. I’ll need to come up with a solution going forward because the lace is coming undone almost every time now.

For the run itself, it was fine. The rain was light but steady for the first half, so there was some puddle-dodging and jumping, and visibility through the glasses was not great. The rain eased to a lighter drizzle after, which was better. Apparently the weather was sufficiently crummy that I saw no one else the entire time I was on the river trail, which is pretty rare.

My pace was slightly better than last week at 5:44/km, and it was fairly mild, though I wore layers to stay dry(ish) underneath.

In all, not a bad start to the week, though I am looking forward to drier runs soon.

Stats:

Run 1,005
Average pace: 5:44/km
Training status: Maintaining
Location: Brunette River Trail
Start: 12:40 p.m.
Distance: 5.03 km
Time: 28:49
Weather: Light rain and drizzle
Temp: 8°C
Humidity: 89-90%
Wind: light
BPM: 150
Weight: 168.8 pounds
Total distance to date: 6,855 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 265, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: Saucony Peregrine 15 (115/176/291)

Music: Green, R.E.M.

My goal today was to get out and back before the rain. I was 3/5ths successful, which is a bit like being slightly pregnant.

Fortunately, it was only a light drizzle and by the end of the run the wind had settled a bit.

Prior to that, I started out on the river trail, the temperature a brisk 4C, the weather app saying it felt like 1C. I almost regretted wearing shorts, especially when the wind picked up (I had one tucking incident, where I had to grab the brim of my cap and secure it to keep it from lifting off my head). I started stronger than expected with a 5:38/km pace, but sputtered for the next two as the cold sank in. I picked up and finished strong, closing with 5:35/km and an overall pace of 5:46/km, which is in line with Monday when you account for conditions.

Other than it being rather cool, I experienced no issues–even my shoelaces stayed tied!

The trail saw moderate traffic, with a mix of other joggers, walkers and people with dogs. I was a bit surprised, given the weather.

The rain started around the 3K mark, but as mentioned, it was light, so didn’t have much impact. The weather app is insisting it is sleet, but it felt like plain old drizzle to me.

As for the heron: I noticed someone looking up on the first km of the run, followed their gaze and spotted a heron standing on a branch over the river. They always look a bit goofy to me doing this, like seeing an ostrich in a tree. I found this mildly delightful and finished my run. As I was walking out from the river trail, a sudden volume of white stuff splatted on the trail directly ahead of me, maybe 10–15 feet away. I looked up. The heron had moved to a branch over the trail. If I had been a few seconds faster, that copious load of heron poop would have landed on me. I wonder if the heron got its timing off.

In the end, the run was fine and the lack of being pooped on even better.

Stats:

Run 999
Average pace: 5:46/km
Training status: Productive
Location: Brunette River Trail
Start: 10:53 a.m.
Distance: 5.03 km
Time: 28:58
Weather: Clouds, light rain
Temp: 4°C
Humidity: 91%
Wind: light to moderate
BPM: 151
Weight: 169.1 pounds
Total distance to date: 6,825 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 265, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: Saucony Peregrine 15 (85/133/218)

Music: Shuffle mode

Today is the first day I’m back to a regular run schedule. Because my watch claims my HRV is off, I opted to run the river trail, which saves me a bunch of extra walking. My training status is currently Strained, but that should hopefully change soon.

As for the run, it was generally fine. A tendon near my right knee is a bit stiff, but not sore. At one point, I felt like some cramping was imminent, but it never materialized. I plodded a bit in the middle, but thanks to my right shoelace coming untied around the 4.5 km mark, I got a brief breather, which allowed me to post the zippiest km in a while to wrap up–5:26. My overall pace was 5:43/km, BPM was 149. Overall, very average, and acceptable.

There weren’t many people out, and I feel that two layers may have sufficed, but three was not overly warm or anything.

For the first run of 2026, it was Not Bad™.

Stats:

Run 997
Average pace: 5:43/km
Training status: Strained
Location: Brunette River Trail
Start: 11:19 a.m.
Distance: 5.03 km
Time: 28:48
Weather: Cloudy
Temp: 6-7°C
Humidity: 88%
Wind: light
BPM: 147
Weight: 169.4 pounds
Total distance to date: 6,815 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 265, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: Saucony Peregrine 15 (75/121/196)

Music: Ta-Da, Scissor Sisters

The forecast was threatening rain by early afternoon, so I opted for a run on the river trail, which would get me out and back before The Rains once more swept in. It turned out a run at the lake may have been possible, as it’s remained cloudy but not threatening since I got back.

Still, change is good and all that. Sometimes.

Condition-wise, the air was eerily still, particularly after the high winds we’ve experienced in the past week. Humidity was still high at 90%, which meant the temperature of 3C–and the surest sign that winter is officially only a few days away–did not feel as chilly as it might have.

Despite the benign conditions, the river trail was sparsely populated, though much tidier than two days ago, with park crews having cleared all the debris and chopped up the one tree left drooping low over the trail.

I got off to a weirdly strong start at 5:30/km. Maybe the brisk air made me feel revitalized or something. It didn’t last and I actually slowed until the fourth km, when I picked up again, finishing with an overall pace of 5:38/km, which is perfectly cromulent.

I experienced no issues, other than my right shoelace (for a change) coming untied about 1 km in. Having worn the Peregrine 15s for a dozen runs now, I really like how they fit and feel, but I can’t remember the last time I’ve had a pair of shoes where the laces came undone so regularly. Maybe it’s a metaphor.

In any case, a fine wrap-up to the week, especially considering it was nice ‘n dry.

Stats:

Run 994
Average pace: 5:38/km
Training status: Productive
Location: Brunette River Trail
Start: 10:13 a.m.
Distance: 5.03 km
Time: 28:19
Weather: Partly cloudy
Temp: 3°C
Humidity: 90%
Wind: light
BPM: 146
Weight: 166.7 pounds
Total distance to date: 6,800 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 265, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: Saucony Peregrine 15 (60/101/161)

Music: Ta-Dah!, Scissor Sisters

Also known as the bell curve run, as I was fast-fast-slow-fast-fast. Imagine an ASCII bell curve here.

First, I wore three layers, as it was only 5C:

• A sleeveless t-shirt base layer
• A long-sleeved shirt
• An Echo hoodie (for those unaware, this is very light, more like a shirt with a hood)

In the end, I think two layers would have sufficed, but I wasn’t exactly cooking, either.

I opted for the river trail instead of the lake for a couple of reasons (it’s lists day!):

• Less walking while I get my HRV back up to balanced and also into a more regular run routine (I don’t want to burn myself out doing too much too soon)
• The weather forecast changed again, threatening showers earlier, and I have had my fill of rainy runs for a while

The trail was nice ‘n dry, with no other joggers, but several groups of people out walking. One person had a dog off-leash (boo) but the dog seemed old and was extremely chill.

I got off to a good start, maintained for the second km, then slowed a fair bit on the third, before resuming to a strong finish and overall pace of 5:38/km. BPM was a tad higher at 154, probably a combination of effort and the cooler temperature.

Overall, a perfectly cromulent start to the week.

Stats:

Run 989
Average pace: 5:38/km
Training status: Productive
Location: Brunette River Trail
Start: 10:48 a.m.
Distance: 5.03 km
Time: 28:23
Weather: Overcast
Temp: 5°C
Humidity: 82-79%
Wind: light
BPM: 154
Weight: 166.9 pounds
Total distance to date: 6,775 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: Saucony Peregrine 15 (35/55/90)

Music: Shuffle mode

Having a gander outside before the run, I could see it looked like that kind of steady drizzly rain that doesn’t seem like much, but actually gets you very wet. I chose to wear a long-sleeved shirt, my running jacket (the snug one designed more for warmth than to keep me dry), plus for the first time this year, I donned my sleek ‘n sexy running pants.

This combo seemed to work reasonably well. My phone stayed dry in the pants pocket and the jacket absorbed enough of the rain that I was relatively dry underneath. I didn’t wear my actual running rain jacket because it’s kind of big, the hood flops around and it doesn’t really keep me any drier. The pants seemed like a good call for this run, too.

As for the run, yes, it was wet. I had many puddles to navigate. I saw a couple of mad people walking dogs and no one else on the river trail. I felt I would be slower and was, coming in at 5:45/km. It’s fine. My BPM was 147, which is good. The watch weirded out again with the walk before the run, claiming an average BPM of 67, which is literally impossible. I checked my heart rate right after this and it was 105, which is exactly where it would be on the walk. This is the second time it’s gone bonkers during a walk, but it’s behaved on all runs so far, at least.

And the new band is on, so I didn’t have to test how well the gorilla-taped band would hold up in wet conditions. The new band is yellow and snazzy:

Having missed yet another Wednesday run, I am hoping to hit all three next week and hopefully at least some of them will be dry. It could happen!

Stats:

Run 987
Average pace: 5:45/km
Training status: Maintaining
Location: Brunette River Trail
Start: 12:53 p.m.
Distance: 5.02 km
Time: 28:54
Weather: Steady light rain, heavy drizzle
Temp: 8°C
Humidity: 88%
Wind: light
BPM: 147
Weight: 166.7 pounds
Total distance to date: 6,765 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: Saucony Peregrine 15 (25/38/63)

Music: Savage, Eurythmics

A few days ago, I got some Peregrine 15s to replace my increasingly hole-ridden ASICs. They are probably the most reserved-looking runners I’ve had in a while:

Which is fine by me, I don’t mind flashy shoes, but I don’t need them. They definitely feel more cushiony than the ASICs and have toothier lugs, which might come handy during the wet season that will last the next six months, but feel like six years.

Speaking of wet, I didn’t run yesterday because it was raining so hard in the morning and I didn’t have time in the afternoon. I timed my run for this morning when rain was least likely. I was 3/5th right! More precisely, it started to lightly sprinkle around the 3.5 km mark. ?The real rain waited for the walk back, so yay, sort of.

The new shoes were fine. I may have tied them too tight, but they otherwise seemed solid and comfy in that “don’t really notice them” way, which is my preference for trail runners. I find if I notice my shoes when running, it’s usually not for a good reason.

I started out at what I thought was a moderate pace, but turned out to be 5:30/km. I had no idea I was moving this fast, but my body apparently did, because my pace collapse to 4:48/km for the second km before falling into a faster cadence for the remainder and an overall pace of 5:39/km. It was mild and I felt slightly overdressed with two layers, but once the rain started, I think it was the better choice.

There were no issues on the run and only a few other people out, thanks to the dismal gray weather. I did not have to dodge any salmon today.

Now I need to decide if I want to run again tomorrow, as I very rarely run on consecutive days. I will ponder.

Stats:

Run 983
Average pace: 5:39/km
Training status: Maintaining
Location: Brunette River Trail
Start: 10:20 a.m.
Distance: 5.03 km
Time: 28:27
Weather: Clouds, some light showers
Temp: 11°C
Humidity: 90%
Wind: light
BPM: 147
Weight: 164.6 pounds
Total distance to date: 6,745 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: Saucony Peregrine 15 (5/4/9)

Music: Shuffle mode

I tried waiting to see if the rain would ease up, but finally came to the realization that it would not, and headed out around 12:30 p.m. I wore two layers, the second being my running jacket, which I figured would keep me from getting completely soaked all the way through. It worked, barely.

The best thing I can say is that it was relatively mild at 10C, though the rain added a fun layer of chill (I checked after and they “upgraded” today’s weather to an official Rainfall Warning).

As usual, the hood would not stay on, so I just let it flop around. I kept my phone in the belt, which was a better place than a jacket pocket, as it would have gotten a lot more wet there.

It was an Omega Man run–I did not see anyone else over the course of the entire 5 km, a good illustration of how unpleasant the weather was. Even the dog owners were turning to their pugs and saying, “You can go pee on the front lawn today.”

I did have to dodge a salmon, which laid conspicuously in my path around the 4.5 km mark. It as curiously intact, which makes me further wonder how it got onto the trail. But dead salmon tell no tales.

Surprisingly, despite the yucky conditions, I finished with a nearly-identical pace to Wednesday’s run, only one second off at 5:42/km. I lagged on the second km, so if I had maintained there, I would have actually been faster than the previous run. My BPM was also 144. Maybe it gets lower when I resign myself to the conditions.

In any case, I’m glad I kept to the schedule and ran, but it would be nice if the next run was a bit more on the dry side. And with fewer salmon.

Stats:

Run 981
Average pace: 5:42/km
Training status: Maintaining
Location: Brunette River Trail
Start: 12:58 p.m.
Distance: 5.02 km
Time: 28:37
Weather: Steady rain
Temp: 10°C
Humidity: 86%
Wind: light
BPM: 144
Weight: 165.8 pounds
Total distance to date: 6,735 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: ASICS Trabuco Terra 2 (330/690/1,020)

Music: Shuffle mode

As per the weather app on my phone when I started the run:

That said, the wind actually settled down shortly after, though the real temperature never budged. I wore two layers and was wise to do so.

I skipped my usual Friday run because it was very stormy (high wind and heavy rain) and knew I’d have time today because The Rains would preclude birding.

Layered up, I headed out and en route opted for the river trail, as it was already raining.

Luckily, the rain remained fairly light and actually stopped about halfway or so through the run. I’m dry as I type this!

My plan was to just run without any particular plan, and I surprised myself when my opening lap was 5:37/km. I averaged 5:36/km and a BPM of 149, so overall a very decent effort. I seem to be getting in the 5:30ish range regularly now. My max. heart rate also improved, but my Training Status remains Strained, which still seems strange to me, but whatevs, as the kids say.

Still, I’m happy with the effort–and for not choosing to just skip the run altogether, which would have been easy from sitting inside my warm, dry condo.

Stats:

Run 979
Average pace: 5:36/km
Training status: Strained
Location: Brunette River Trail
Start: 12:26 p.m.
Distance: 5.03 km
Time: 28:09
Weather: Cloudy, light showers
Temp: 10°C
Humidity: 78%
Wind: light to moderate
BPM: 149
Weight: 163.9 pounds
Total distance to date: 6,725 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: ASICS Trabuco Terra 2 (320/678/998)

Music: Green, R.E.M.