Brunette River Trail runs

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.

The first was intentional, the other was a pleasant surprise.

I didn’t have a set plan on where to run this morning, but generally I favour the lake because it’s more exercise and a more interesting location. But the weather app on my phone promised rain by 11 am, so I changed to the river trail. They also said wind gusts up to 19 km/hr.

Neither the rain nor gusts materialized, and I was able to complete the run both without getting wet or blow down by a rogue burst of wind.

Even better, I managed a pace of 5:35/km, matching my Friday pace. My BPM was higher at 152, but I felt I worked a bit harder. It was both cooler at 10°C¹Future reference: In Linux, I can make the degree symbol by using Right-Alt + oo and a lot more humid, starting at 93%–which made me think rain was indeed imminent. It is still not raining as I type this, which is pleasant after a few days of The Rains.

There were dogs, but on leash, and a platoon or whatever you call a large group of cyclists, but I managed to stay behind or beside them as they rode by. They were very yellow, as most were wearing rain gear.

As for the fastest 1K, I beat my recently set record of 5:18/km with a pace of…5:17! I shaved a whopping 0.4 seconds off, woo. And this is not an official lap, like going from 1 km to 2 km, it seems to be just tracking the fastest 1 km stretch of the run, because my fastest lap was around 5:19/km.

In all, a good start to the week: fast, dry, a new record, and no issues!

Run 977
Average pace: 5:35/km
Training status: Productive
Location: Brunette River Trail
Start: 10:18 a.m.
Distance: 5.03 km
Time: 28:06
Weather: Cloudy
Temp: 10°C
Humidity: 93-91%
Wind: light
BPM: 152
Weight: 165.3 pounds
Total distance to date: 6,715 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: ASICS Trabuco Terra 2 (310/662/972)

Music: Pop Stuff (playlist, on shuffle)

It was already raining before today’s run, so off to the river trail I went. I was running (ho ho) late due to accidentally sleeping in, so I didn’t start until close to 11:30. I opted for two layers because of the rain, but in retrospect, I think one layer (the Echo hoodie) would have sufficed, though I didn’t get overly warm or anything.

I was a bit tired, though, maybe due to somewhat interrupted sleep last night, and didn’t have the same zip as Wednesday. I still finished with a perfectly cromulent pace of 5:42/km, and BPM was still below 150, albeit just at 149. Pretty good!

There were a few more people out than I expected, given the weather, but it mostly seemed to be dutiful owners walking their dogs. One other person was jogging. The weather itself was a mix of everything:

• Rain
• Light rain
• Drizzle
• Sun (only for a few minutes)
• Cloud

This meant I didn’t get completely drenched, which was nice. Overall, a decent, if soggy wrap to the week.

Stats:

Run 975
Average pace: 5:42/km
Training status: Productive
Location: Brunette River Trail
Start: 11:23 a.m.
Distance: 5.03 km
Time: 28:41
Weather: Light rain, drizzle, sun
Temp: 12°C
Humidity: 88-87%
Wind: light to moderate
BPM: 149
Weight: 163.2 pounds
Total distance to date: 6,705 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: ASICS Trabuco Terra 2 (300/650/950)

Music: Long Distance Voyager, The Moody Blues

With a late start and lingering concerns over the left knee, I decided to run the closer and easier river trail this morning. I tell myself it’s not really cheating, because it’s still 5 km of running, and it’s not like half the trail is a moving walkway that I just stand on while it whisks me along.

The left knee this morning was feeling better, no longer achy and only a smidgen stiff. As I started the run, I was hopeful.

And then, weirdly, turned in my best pace in many months, coming in at 5:35/km. Not only that, I also posted my best-ever 1 km pace since getting the Garmin watch about two years ago, at 5:18/km. To be fair, I only squeaked by the previous record:

Needless to say, though I’m saying it right now, the left knee was not a problem. I actually felt pretty good throughout the run and started strong, with an initial pace of 5:39/km. My BPM was a nice 147, there were only a few people out and about on the trail (I didn’t see any other runners) and the weather was perfectly cromulent–12C, no wind, and cloudy.

Overall, an unexpectedly good mid-week result.

Stats:

Run 974
Average pace: 5:35/km
Training status: Productive
Location: Brunette River Trail
Start: 10:57 a.m.
Distance: 5.03 km
Time: 28:05
Weather: Cloudy
Temp: 12-13°C
Humidity: 80-78%
Wind: light
BPM: 147
Weight: 164.0 pounds
Total distance to date: 6,700 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: ASICS Trabuco Terra 2 (295/646/941)

Music: The Turn of a Friendly Card, The Alan Parsons Project

The forecast today was 16C and rain. I checked and yep, rain all day, so I made two decisions:

• Run on the river trail
• Wait for the window where it was raining least

The first one was easy. The second was doomed to fail. I tried, but it ended up pouring hard for most of the run. It eased to drizzle near the end, then changed to a downpour on the walk back…before switching up to drizzle once more. I got quite wet.

And yet, despite the miserable (if mild) conditions, I had my best pace in a while at 5:40/km, and with a low 147 BPM, too. I saw several other people out jogging, which surprised me a bit, as well as some people who were apparently just out walking. I guess these are the hardcore types who actually enjoy walking in the rain, like in some song written by Rupert Holmes, probably¹Kids, ask your parents.. I encountered one issue: in the last km or so, my left knee felt a tiny bit stiff. I think this was due to how I slept last night, and it did not affect my pace. I also didn’t feel it on the walk back, but, as always, will monitor.

It looks like I might have some more rainy runs before the weather turns back to “good fall” but we’ll see. We’re in the time of year when it can get a tad unpredictable.

On gear: I wore a base layer and my new Echo hoodie, to see how it would hold up in the rain. It was fine, but two layers was too much–I was starting to sweat before I’d even made it through Hume Park. Noted for the future!

Stats:

Run 970
Average pace: 5:40/km
Training status: Maintaining
Location: Brunette River Trail
Start: 12:32 p.m.
Distance: 5.03 km
Time: 28:32
Weather: Rain, some drizzle late
Temp: 16°C
Humidity: 90%
Wind: light
BPM: 147
Weight: 163.9 pounds
Total distance to date: 6,680 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: ASICS Trabuco Terra 2 (275/610/885)

Music: R.E.M. (shuffle)

I awoke to find my watch telling me it was a Rest Day. Apparently my body had agreed, because I accidentally slept in a little.

But I decided to defy my watch and ran, anyway. I chose to run on the river trail because:

• It’s an easier route
• Significantly less walking to get there and back (4 km vs up to 13 km)
• No bear sighting there yet–and line of sight is excellent, unlike the lake and its frequent blind corners and bends

I mean, I wasn’t super paranoid that I’d literally run into a bear, but I had enough other reasons to run the river trail to warrant the switch.

I started out at a moderate pace and unlike recent runs, I did not get progressively faster. Well, I did, but only until the 4K mark. I actually slowed a bit on the final lap, because my body seemingly wanted to start treating the rest of the day as a Rest Day at that point.

Conditions were decent, with humidity a bit lower and sweating lower as well.

I saw a few people walking, a couple of them with dogs (all on leash, yay), but I don’t think I saw anyone else running. It was pretty quiet, which was not a surprise, given the weather (the sky did not look friendly, though it remained dry for the run).

In all, a decent wrap-up to the week. I now prepare for more fall weather, with attendant soggy conditions, cooler temperatures and leaves all over the place.

Stats:

Run 969
Average pace: 5:47/km
Training status: Maintaining
Location: Brunette River Trail
Start: 11:05 a.m.
Distance: 5.03 km
Time: 29:04
Weather: Cloudy
Temp: 14-15°C
Humidity: 82-78%
Wind: light
BPM: 148
Weight: 162.9 pounds
Total distance to date: 6,675 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: ASICS Trabuco Terra 2 (270/605/875)

Music: Billy Joel (shuffle)

The middle of August is usually dry and warm. But not today!

An unexpectedly fat, moisture-laden system has developed and is moving through the region today, prompting rare summer rain warnings. This meant I was probably going to get wet.

I got very wet.

This was also one of those rainy days when you can’t game it and try to run before it starts or during a break. It’s just raining all the time.

I decided to wear my long-sleeve shirt, which was a mistake, because at 17C, it was not cold and the sleeves just got soaked and clung to my arms in a somewhat annoying way. Lesson learned!

Since I did not fancy walking 38 minutes in the rain to the lake before starting my run, I opted to do the river trail. I encountered one other sodden runner, a lone guy with an umbrella that was not doing a great job of keeping him dry, and a huge walking group I’ve seen before, but this time with umbrellas.

Puddles were copious, visibility was not great, but I maintained a good pace, except, weirdly, the second km where it dropped all the way to the six-minute mark. I’m not sure how that happened. I was not tired, so the only things to explain it might be:

• my right shin was a bit tender at the start (it sorted itself out midway through–no idea why it was tender)
• the second km has a long slightly uphill part
• I was woolgathering like tomorrow and just started slowing without realizing it

I made up for it with a fast final lap of 5:27/km and the overall pace of 5:45/km is pretty good.

The river was raging (see the before and after photos for more). I’ll be happy to run in rain-free conditions next time.

Stats:

Run 953
Average pace: 5:45/km
Training status: Maintaining
Location: Brunette River Trail
Start: 9:52 a.m.
Distance: 5.03 km
Time: 28:58
Weather: Rain
Temp: 17°C
Humidity: 94%
Wind: light
BPM: 150
Weight: 165.4
Total distance to date: 6,595 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: ASICS Trabuco Terra 2 (190/420/610)

Music: Long Distance Voyager, The Moody Blues