A Stroll Down Memory Lane

Tonight offered an opportunity for a run that was a regular one for me last Fall. I had 8 kilometres on the schedule, and the weather was pretty well ideal. I ran a route that proved quite challenging for me last year, and I thought that it was about the right distance based solely on memory. This took me through a portion of Taylor Creek Park, where I snapped the picture you see with that trusty IPhone (still loving it!). It is such a nice place to go for a run - feels like you aren't in the middle of a huge city at all. I only came across two cyclists and one other runner, which made me wonder, "where the heck is everyone?"

I wanted to run conservatively, but at the same time I really didn't feel like just jogging so the plan was to average out the pace at under 5:00/km (or just under 8:00/mile). It's amazing how this pace would have completely killed me last Fall, but now it is just right for a decent, if not exceedingly difficult, run. Even with the stairs leading down into the park slowing me down, and the subsequent hill climbing back out, that once seemed so difficult to crest, I was able to meet my pacing goal while keeping the heart rate in an acceptable range. I managed the 8km in 39:27 for an average pace of 4:55/km (or 7:56/mile). My heart rate average was 154bpm and I hit a max of 173bpm, likely at the top of the long climb out of the park. I think that mental barrier created by the 5:00/km pace is a thing of the past. I wonder what will become the substitute for this?

It was simply a fun run, and likely the last time that I go at anything but a slow pace before the 5k race in eight days. I am looking forward to going to Ottawa not only because I will be running, my wife will be running, Owen will be running, but two of my former swimming team mates AND my first ever real swimming coach (their mother) will be running several races as well - 5k, half marathon, and full marathon. I haven't seen my old coach since I was in high school!

Garmin don't lie.