Gamut Loop

Technical, hilly trails coated with a dusting of snow to flat, wide abandoned railroad beds to paved and dirt roads and everything in between. This loop has it all. I've mountain biked this route several times, but think I've only run it once or twice before. Fun loop.

Kept the pace very easy. I'm already far exceeding my original plan of keeping my mileage in the 15-20 mile week range until Christmas. Doubled it, in fact (39.3 miles for the week). I think the original plan is a bit overly cautious though, and would just lead to a longer ramp up time for the Boston Marathon training cycle. Doing 30-40 miles a week of mostly easy runs should still minimize injury potential while maintaining a better level of fitness.

Speaking of fitness, my heart rate data was very suspicious this morning. Check it out:



There's no way my HR was that high the first two miles. I thought at first it might be a reaction to the cold while I was warming up, but I don't think so. I would have felt it. And note the spike just after mile four. I stopped for a second there and wetted the contacts, and that seemed to solve it. From then on out looks right on par.

In all fairness, the cool and very dry air probably had a lot to do with it. And I never sweated much during this run, so my skin remained dry. I'll experiment with being more adamant with keeping the contact points a bit wet so better contact is made.

Regardless, a very good run. Nice to enjoy the morning quiet of the woods and countryside.

Ran 8.6 miles @ 9:14/mile.
AHR/MHR - 138/170* - see above notes
Technical trails coated in dusting of snow, easy trails, dirt roads, paved roads.
Very hilly.
Mid 20s to lower 30s, sunny.
Adidas Adizero XT, long pants, fleece jacket, short sleeved shirt, beanie, gloves.