Muggy Park Loop

My run was yet another late one. I had not eaten properly, so again was running on empty - must stop doing that!

I started well, or perhaps too fast for today as it was extremely muggy.

Just before the first kissing gate (the metal ones), leading to the Oak Walkway, a yappy gog on a extended lead attempted to nip my ankles. It's owner pulled him back and I ran around the little mut. I still got to the 250 metre checkpoint in 52 seconds - told you I started too quickly!

My 500 metre checkpoint time was 2:01, the 750 metre 2:55, and 1km 4:03. I did have to dodge two people taking up the whole path at the 750-ish metre point and an older couple at the 900 metre point who were also taking up the whole path - which cost me time.

I arrived at the mile mark at 6:52, having started to slow and feel the humidity. Just after the mile mark I had to dodge my second dog. Not good eh?

My 2km time was 8:29, which was OK, but it was obvious that I was now feeling it. The halfway time was 9:30.

I arrived at Pewterspear Garden Path in a time of 12:10, having to dodge the same old couple for a second time who had cut-through from the point I last saw them. They did say "sorry".

Whilst running down the Pewterspear Garden Path, there was a van which was almost blocking the entire path's width. This sometime happens at that particular [last] house, which is very inconsiderate to all walkers, cyclists, and runners. I had to dodge around his wing-mirror sideways whilst avoiding the nettles at my feet and the bushes at my side. Another slowing factor - if I had not had my fair share already.

I exited the Pewterspear Garden Path in 16:10, which meant it would be extremely unlikely for me to make a sub-20 today, as I need at best 4 minutes from this point to finish.

What did not help, is that I usually can run across Longwood Road without any trouble, but two cars meant that I was held up until they had driven by.

For the remaining 800 metres, there were no more "things" that got in my way and I just ran it in until the finish. My overall time, with all things considered was 20:32. It was a difficult run today both physically and mentally with plenty of obsticles that just happened to get in my way - which did not help.


Start: 3:08 pm
Time: 20:32 Park Loop
Distance: 4.45km (2.77m)

Average speed: 13.003kmh (8.080mph)
Average pace: 4:37 per km (7:26 per mile)
Heart rate: HRavg 163, HRmax 169, and 319kcals