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Events:Stone Cat 50 Mile Trail Race November 6, 2010 Middlesex Fells Trail Race December 4, 2010 AMC Mountaineering Committee Ice Program Winter 2011 AMC Mountaineering Committee Rock Program Spring 2011 Pictures:AlbumRunning Data:20102009 2008 |
Sun, 14 Jun 2009
Willowdale Run/Walk in the Rain
I've been feeling a bit thrashed lately and had been concerned about running my long weekend run. Breakheart Dan came to the rescue by writing recently about trying out the Galloway Method, the practice of taking scheduled walk breaks. I overslept this morning and it was raining when I hit the trail at Willowdale at 5 am. I decided to walk two minutes after every 2 miles and to shoot for an 11:00/mile pace. I also ate a bit during each walk break and took care of non-urgent gear adjustments. I found that when I ran again my heart rate was low and my legs were comfortable. Fatigue never really set in over 20.36 miles over 3:37:36 for 10:41/mile, my longest run yet at Willowdale. I did take my worst fall yet on muddy tree roots. My preivous longest run there was 19.48 miles at 10:40/mile. Unfortunately, on that run, the battery on my heart rate monitor was dead. I'd be willing to bet that my average heart rate was above the 138 beats per minute it was today. I'm trying to formulate a mathematical model of how walk breaks keep fatigue at bay. It seems to me that heart rate on a long run is asymptotic to a rate that depends on power exerted. I think it may be possible by taking heart rate data and running an exponential regression, to develop an optimal run/walk ratio for a given runner. 
On returning home, I grabbed a bite, and joined Connie and Carol on a shopping trip to Newbury Street. They bought a lot of wonderful stuff, and I felt better about my recent purchace of new winter climbing boots and crampons. Five more days of school! |
