Brunette River Trail runs

I did not want to run today, hence the late start.

It was raining, I was concerned about my knees and did I mention it was raining steadily? Because it was.

But I still went out in the end.

The one advantage over Monday’s also-wet run is that on Monday it was more of a steady drizzle, which meant my glasses became impossible to see through. Today’s rain actually allowed for improved visibility. So yay for that.

I saw one other person on the river trail. He was wearing a raincoat and looked very wet. Perhaps unhappy, as well, though I might be projecting.

As for the run, it was fine! Surprisingly, my knees were not an issue at all. I started out a bit slower and had the same drop on the second and third km as Monday, but picked up the pace even more than the last time, to where my last km was 5:28/km. My overall pace was 5:40/km, also faster than Monday, though my BPM was up to 149, in part because of the faster running at the end, but also just generally working harder in yuckier, colder conditions.

That said, I am home now and drying out, so I’m glad I got out. Hopefully Friday will be a wee bit drier.

Stats:

Run 889
Average pace: 5:40/km
Training status: Productive
Location: Brunette River Trail
Start: 12:48 p.m.
Distance: 5.03 km
Time: 28:29
Weather: Rain
Temp: 15°C
Humidity: 90%
Wind: light
BPM: 149
Weight: 165.3
Total distance to date: 6,305 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: HOKA Speedgoat 6 (90/173/263)

Today’s run was a little weird because I got a late start and am pressed for time today, as I have an appointment mid-afternoon. I decided to run the river trail as it would be quicker, plus it was kind of drizzly and yucky, so I didn’t especially feel like walking through that to get to the lake, anyway.

With the weather as it was, I encountered very few people, but this was compensated for by the many puddles I met and had to dodge around instead. Also slugs.

My initial pace was strong, but I dropped on the second and third laps, after having four days off and growing fat and pudgy. I picked back up for the fourth and fifth km, though, with an overall pace of 5:43/km, which I think is fine given the circumstances. Weirdly, my heart rate was 142, which is quite a bit lower than usual (normally on the lake trail it’s in the 150-155 range). I assume this was because I lollygagged a bit on the 2nd and 3rd km, combined with the river trail being easier for running. Nice, but as I said, weird.

My right knee started feeling a bit twingy around the 4K mark, then felt better in the final stretch, then felt a bit twingy on the walk back. It doesn’t feel like the lump has grown, so it may just be some minor strain. I will monitor.

Otherwise, the run was fine, save for the drizzle misting my glasses and forcing me to look over the top of them for pretty much the entire run. One day we’ll have weatherproof optical wear. But not this day.

Also, this was my first run as a 60-year-old. I did okay for an old man. :oldmanemoji:.

Stats:

Run 888
Average pace: 5:43/km
Training status: Productive
Location: Brunette River Trail
Start: 11:35 a.m.
Distance: 5.03 km
Time: 28:42
Weather: Clouds, light drizzle
Temp: 17°C
Humidity: 89%
Wind: light
BPM: 142
Weight: 167.8
Total distance to date: 6,300 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: HOKA Speedgoat 6 (85/177/262)

I kind of missed three runs in a row. I am a bad runner.

I made amends today!

I waited till early afternoon to hit the river trail, where it was still only 5C, as winter is determined to go out with a big ol’ hissy fit. At least it wasn’t raining (or snowing).

My expectations were to just get in and out without any complications. Success! I started with what would be my average pace of 5:51/km, then dropped to a lowly 6:03/km. This incentivized me to pick up the pace enough that my last lap was a brisk 5:37/km.

Everything remained in working order and despite the nine days between runs, I felt pretty decent throughout. I am pleased.

Friday is calling for a high of 6C with rain, so I am not overly enthused about that, but we’ll see. Maybe the forecast will completely change to something delightful in the next two days.

Stats:

Run 854
Average pace: 5:51/km
Training status: Maintaining
Location: Brunette River Trail
Start: 1:32 p.m.
Distance: 5:03 km
Time: 29:25
Weather: Mixed cloud and sun
Temp: 5ºC
Humidity: 62%
Wind: light to moderate
BPM: 152
Weight: 170.7
Total distance to date: 6160 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: HOKA Speedgoat 5 (295/542/837 km)

I missed Monday’s run because I spent most of the day working on time-sensitive stuff. This meant I had four days off between runs, and the casual observer might think, “That means you should be well-rested and do great!” But what it really means is it puts me right on the edge where my fitness level starts to dip just a bit because I’ve taken too long between workouts. That’s right, your body punishes you for getting too much rest by making your next workout feel harder! This is why people give up on New Year resolutions.

But I was undeterred. It was milder than Friday, the sun was out again, and again due to time, I opted for a run on the river trail. I hit a complication even before I started. One of the last things I do before a run is check the temperature and humidity. When I went to do this, my iPhone 12 reported no cell connection. I have no idea why. Power-cycling the phone¹Really, any time you have a tech problem, always try turning it off and back on first. It’s a meme, but it also fixes a surprising number of issues! fixed the issue, and I was off.

I had opted to wear two layers because it was 5C when I headed out and this ended up being a good call, because, as a change of pace, it was windy and in mid-February, the wind is still pretty cold! The humidity was also much lower than normal, around 40% or so. This had no real effect, other than my lips being very slightly drier than normal.

There were two minor issues on this run:

• At one point, I threatened to develop a stitch. It resolved itself in a few seconds, though. (Stitches usually mean I’m running too fast.)
• At another point, I felt a bit of a kink in my right knee. This seems unrelated to my knee issues last year, I think it was just an artifact from stretching or something. It was very intermittent and didn’t affect my pace.

Overall, this was a pretty good run. I had a good pace, solid BPM and no dogs off leash!

Run 851
Average pace: 5:44/km
Training status: Maintaining
Location: Brunette River Trail
Start: 11:09 a.m.
Distance: 5:03 km
Time: 28:52
Weather: Sunny
Temp: 7-8ºC
Humidity: 43-40%
Wind: moderate
BPM: 152
Weight: 171.6
Total distance to date: 6145 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: HOKA Speedgoat 5 (280/517/797 km)

Quite often it happens this way: I don’t feel like running, I faff about doing other stuff, I finally convince myself to get out, then have a really good run.

That basically happened today. By the time I headed out, it was just past 11 a.m. But it was unexpectedly sunny, and the temperature had warmed to a relatively mild 7C, so conditions were good. In the interest of time, I ran the river trail, and it was fairly quiet, despite the later hour.

I came out of the gate a little hot with a pace of 5:38/km, which led to a bit of a sag for the next two km, but recovered for the final two and ended with a flourish, with my overall pace being 5:44/km, besting my last two runs. My BPM also edged down a little lower at 149. I was almost two pounds lighter than on Monday’s run, so I was slightly more aerodynamic, too.

With no issues to report, this was a perfectly fine mid-week run.

Run 849
Average pace: 5:44/km
Training status: Productive
Location: Brunette River Trail
Start: 11:19 a.m.
Distance: 5:03 km
Time: 28:51
Weather: Sunny
Temp: 7-8ºC
Humidity: 70%
Wind: light
BPM: 149
Weight: 172.3
Total distance to date: 6135 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: HOKA Speedgoat 5 (270/500/770 km)

I was originally going to postpone today’s run, to give myself some extra time to recover from Monday’s torrid outing, but it was extremely mild, and I felt guilty, so I went out and did a relatively mellow run on the river trail.

It was cloudy but 11C, which is about twice the normal high for this day and warm enough to be an early spring temperature, rather than one you’d expect here a few days before winter officially begins. This meant I only wore a single layer up top and it was fine. I probably could have worn my usual running t-shirt and still been fine.

I did see two other guys running, both wearing jackets and, I assume, sweating profusely. One even had gloves on. Gloves! At 11C! Crazy.

Anyway, I didn’t stretch before running and my left thigh felt a bit stiff starting out. This is also, coincidentally, the part of my legs that gets worked on in the roller stretching exercise I’ve been skipping (I am still doing the others). I suppose I should get back to doing it again. I did pick up the pace toward the end (the final km was 5:38/km), but I am content with the average of 5:48/km, especially with an average BPM of a mere 147.

Overall, I’m glad I got out, because who knows how many more absurdly mild days like this we’ll get in the next month or two.

Stats:

Run 840
Average pace: 5:48/km
Training status: Productive
Location: Brunette River Trail
Start: 12:21 p.m.
Distance: 5:03 km
Time: 29:09
Weather: Cloudy
Temp: 11ºC
Humidity: 88%
Wind: light
BPM: 147
Weight: 171.8
Total distance to date: 6090 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: HOKA Speedgoat 5 (225/415/640 km)

I did not do my usual Friday run because I wanted to run some errands and given the weather forecast, it made more sense to do them on Friday when it was sunny, rather than Saturday when it was forecast to be cold and rainy and horrible.

Today it is Saturday and as I headed out for a rare weekend run, it was drizzling. By the time I got to the river trail, the drizzle had turned to rain. As I started to run, it turned to Heavy Rain™. There was a pause about midway through where it eased yup that lasted about 30 seconds or so, as if the storm was catching its breath. Then it resumed pouring down.

So I got quite wet. And at 3C, it was not exactly balmy, either. My pace was a bit slower, mostly due to a slowdown in the second km, but was otherwise fine. My BPM of 154 was appropriate for the conditions and unlike Wednesday’s run, there were no heart rate shenanigans with the Garmin Forerunner.

I didn’t experience any notable issues during the run, other than mild regret for not having gone out on Friday. I kept the hood up again for the first half or so, then pulled it down, because it wasn’t doing much, anyway. I honed my dodging skills as the run progressed and puddles formed and expanded before my eyes.

Other people running, a mix between people wearing shorts vs. tights/running pants. I wore my running pants and do not regret the decision.

Overall, one of those “glad it’s over” runs. Monday looks to be cloudy and much milder, so yay for that.

Run 836
Average pace: 5:51/km
Training status: Maintaining
Location: Brunette River Trail
Start: 9:45 a.m.
Distance: 5:03 km
Time: 29:24
Weather: Rain
Temp: 3ºC
Humidity: 84-86%
Wind: moderate, with gusts
BPM: 154
Weight: 170.4
Total distance to date: 6070 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: HOKA Speedgoat 5 (205/372/578 km)

Looking at the forecast, there was no way I was going to avoid the rain today unless I just didn’t run at all.

Which I gave some thought to.

But I did run, and it did rain steadily throughout–while only rising to a chilly 3C.

I wore shorts (which were fine–the walk to the river trail was a little chilly, but not too bad) and my long-sleeved shirt with my OR jacket. The OR jacket did a pretty good job of keeping me dry. When I got home, I found only a few light damp spots on my arms and chest, almost like a light (if very cold) sweat.

As for the run, it actually went better than expected. Despite the chilly conditions, my BPM was a nice 151, without any weird spikes, and my pace was 5:43/km, just edging my fogariffic Wednesday run. There was wind, so visibility was not too bad. There was a lot of puddle dodging and for the first 2 km, I kept the hood of the jacket up, which produced a strange, rhythmic sound as I ran. Eventually, my head bobbing was jostling it enough that I finally pulled it down. I actually preferred having it down instead of weirdly bobbling on top of my head.

There were a few others out getting soaked, including the guy I now call Green Shorts. He apparently starts his route somewhere in the Sapperton neighbourhood, as I passed him post-run in Lower Hume Park. He was not just wearing his green shorts again, he was entirely green, so maybe he is also a leprechaun or just prepping really early for St. Patrick’s Day.

Anyway, the run went better than expected, so I am pleased. I am also still frickin’ cold as I type this, so a nice shower is next.

Stats:

Run 834
Average pace: 5:44/km
Training status: Productive
Location: Brunette River Trail
Start: 10:07 a.m.
Distance: 5:03 km
Time: 28:48
Weather: Rain
Temp: 3ºC
Humidity: 96%
Wind: light
BPM: 151
Weight: 169.5
Total distance to date: 6060 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: HOKA Speedgoat 5 (195/360/555 km)

For the fourth time in a row, I felt little motivation to go out and run, but I ran anyway. I copied last Monday by doing the river trail again, with the plan to be done and back by noon. Mission accomplished!

There is a rare fog advisory in effect today and remembering my last experience in the fog, I wanted to be prepared. As it turned out, I was over-prepared:

• I ran on the river trail, rather than at the lake, thinking it would be less misty at the river. It turned out to be not foggy at all.
• I wore my running pants because it was only 4C, and I expected it to be very humid and damp (chilly). The pants were unnecessary. I’m not saying I should have run pants-less, but shorts would have been fine.
• I also wore my running jacket (the one for cold/wind, not the one for rain) and it kept me nice and comfy walking to the river trail, but it was actually a little too warm for the run itself. Noted for future reference. I think my double layer approach would have sufficed.

As for the run, I started strong and wavered a bit in the second km, but mostly kept my form. I didn’t have any weird spikes in my BPM, keeping to a range of 153-161 with an average of 153.

A young guy dressed in bright green shorts and almost-matching cap went jogging by me as I was heading back on the final stretch. He seemed way too happy. No one is that happy when jogging. He was obviously moving at a faster pace and I expected him to catch up and pace me if he also looped back.

He did loop back, and he did catch up–but then he never passed me. Instead, he hung back at a respectful distance, using me as a kind of pace car. Before realizing he was doing this, I deliberately slowed my pace, hoping he would pass, but he didn’t, so I resumed my normal gait. When I reached the gate near North Road and turned around, he did not follow, so I assumed he either ran beyond the trail or was taking a break. Shortly after I finished my run, he showed up and ran by, still looking happy as the proverbial clam.

The happy runner, snapped as he ran by me post-run:

Overall, this was a decent start to the week, with a decent result–5:42/km–and no issues to report. Wednesday is looking like it might be the coldest run of the fall yet, but still sunny. We shall see!

Stats:

Run 832
Average pace: 5:42/km
Training status: Productive
Location: Brunette River trail
Start: 10:47 a.m.
Distance: 5:03 km
Time: 28:42
Weather: Low cloud and fog
Temp: 4-5ºC
Humidity: 92-90%
Wind: light
BPM: 153
Weight: 169.5
Total distance to date: 6050 km
Devices: Garmin Forerunner 255 Music, iPhone 12, AirPods (3rd generation)
Shoes: HOKA Speedgoat 5 (185/343/528 km)