Sunday Run (7)

Endomondo Running Workout

Man, oh, man, this was a tough tough run, even though it wasn't, comparatively speaking, that long. I managed to turn off my GPS tracker when I stuffed it into my armband, so attached is record of the club run - it doesn't include my to and from home. It wasn't just me that struggled either, the other Andrew, who is preparing for the 6 ft track marathon in March, and has at least one sub 3:10 marathon under his belt (I know because he ran in Boston, and you need a certified 3:10 on a measured course to be allowed to enter) didn't find it easy going. You can see from the times; it's very rare that as a duo we don't manage to run under 6 minute pace. (It's very nice of him to wait for me)

The problem was the humidity, which seemed like around 95%. It wasn't particularly hot, perhaps 25 at 6:30, but I sweated litres of water, and it wasn't evaporating anywhere. Seems like I carried it all the way home in shirt and shorts. I don't know if there's a physiological basis for this, but my heart rate was much higher; that's what actually makes the run seem like hard work. Normally I run around 150 bpm; most of this run was over 160 bpm. (My cardiologist is happy for me to run around 175, but she isn't doing the actual running!) Perhaps the heart beats faster to try and facilitate the cooling?

This is a variation on the "Waterfall" route (sadly, the waterfall is down concrete, although quite a nice wetlands is developing in an old brick pit at the base), but steering clear of the bush track which is not in good shape at the moment. There's nothing hugely exciting on the route, but one noteworthy thing is the use of the "dead" land next to the freeway for running tracks & trees. In a way, the designers have made the pariah of suburbia, main roads, into a bonus. OK, I don't live near it; but it's 200% nicer running alongside the M7 than the Princes Highway. It cost a lot more to build, I'm sure, but some of it was well spent. Mind you, I'm glad I'm not a cyclist. The new cycle paths are OK, but they just vanish randomly. At least, a runner being a kind of pedestrian, we get footpaths. If they're lucky they get a picture of a bike painted under a parked car. In some ways, it's no wonder that they tend toward the grumpy & self-righteous: cycling would be such a great way to travel if it were safe.

Oh well. No votes in it.

On Sunday I had just started down the last major hill before home when an old Greek woman asked me to carry her green waste from the front garden around to the bin in the back lane. I'm not sure whether the thought of the rest outweighed the proximity of the upcoming (cold) shower, but anyway, I'm a good citizen. It's really hard to start moving again after you stop, though. Momentum is everything.