Sunday, February 18, 2007

Wait! Is the Garmin Broken?

My Garmin must be broken.

I started out slow and easy with Wendy on the Orting Trail today. She's working on getting back to running again after a post-Chicago-marathon hiatus. We ran the first 9 minutes together, took our walk break and then I ran on.

I was running along the trail, alone, feeling good and running hard. I felt like I as flying! I ran out to the 2.5 mile mark, then turned and headed back. The outward portion of the trail is a very gradual and slow climb. In fact, most people don't realize they are climbing at all until the turn around when the run suddenly becomes easier. I kept my pace going, still feeling fast. I was working hard - average heart rate 152. If anyone had been with me, I wouldn't have been able to talk. As I finished my last walk break, I heard a shout and turned to see Barb and Linda on the trail, so I ran back to them, then finished with them. As I ran with them, I was thinking, okay, so I'm not really going that fast - because these two are faster runners and I'm hanging on. Maybe they slowed for me.

I finished and checked my Garmin: 5.06 miles, 55:27 minutes. Holy cow! That's fast for this backofpacker! I was so excited I forgot to turn the Garmin off. Once we made it home, I plugged the Garmin in and uploaded the run. Check this out:

mile 1: 11:56
mile 2: 10:51
mile 3: 10:43
mile 4: 10:33
mile 5: 10:29

And those times are with walk breaks! I can't remember the last time I got under 11:00 minutes - it's been a long time for sure. As I said, that was not a talking pace, and I was working hard, but not uncomfortably so. See the difference after the turnaround, where there's a very gradual drop in elevation? Anyway, if I didn't wear the Garmin and a watch, I'd think the Garmin was broken. My watch confirmed the time. The spray-painted mileage marks on the trail (and other Garmins) confirm the distance. I'm going to enjoy my day of glory!

And as for my blog name? It'll stay. Even those stunningly fast times place me at the back of the pack - especially over the long distances. Once in a while I'm more like a back-of-the-mid-packer, but my true love is for the back of the pack - where the experience can be savored, the company enjoyed, the conversations flow.

That's today's report from Puyallup, where the back-of-packers are temporarily fast and the Y Runners are the best.

Respectfully submitted by MM#402.

22 comments:

Journey to a Centum said...

MM #402

You were probably caught up in a residual vortex caused yesterday by Jamal running so fast.

Good job speedy!

MM #153

Chad said...

Very cool! You are definitely going faster! And negative splits as well! Sounds like a great run.

You'll do great next week at Orcas - don't send that Garmin in just yet, I've got a feeling it's got some faster readings in it.

iJuls said...

Congratulations. Now you can run with the "faster" back of the packers.

Wes said...

You may start races at the back of the pack, but you will always be leading us by example...

Donald said...

The back of the pack will always be there. If you have the opportunity, go ahead and check out the middle - it's kind of a cool place, too.

Darrell said...

Nice! A little unexpected speed is always welcome in my book. Enjoy!

Unknown said...

There is a speed demon inside waiting to get out. It's nice to venture out on your own and let the body go a little faster now isn't it?

Ironayla said...

Ha... broken Garmin... I am sure your speeds are going to keep surprising you. :)

Glad to hear you and Wendy had a nice run!

Thomas said...

You'll be tearing down your own records soon enough, if you want it or not.

Jessica DeLine said...

I guess thats improvement from training huh? I'm glad you still like your blog name but be carefull or you'll work yourself into needing to find a new title :)

Sarah said...

Nice! And you thought you were just going longer. You're getting faster too! : )

Anne said...

So tell us, what did you have for breakfast to fuel that kind of pace?! Did it include tofu???? This is so nice to see someone's running improve like this. First by distance. Now by speed. Woo hoo to you!

runliarun said...

I must start to know you a bit. As soon as I read the title of your post, I knew the kind of experience you would describe. And I wondered about your blog title too, since you became a maniac. You know, in limousines, the best place is in the back, not in the driver's or passenger's seat. It's just more elegant to be there. And you have the view entire :).

Anonymous said...

Nice work! Don't you love runs like that? Go ahead, bask in the glory for awhile. :)

Anonymous said...

wow, that's AWESOME!!!!!

woo hoo!!!

E-Speed said...

great run. The unexpectedly speedy runs are the best aren't they?

susie said...

I had to giggle when I read your post. It's such a high, isn't it? Good for you, Michelle. Good for you. You keep inspiring me!

Anonymous said...

Great stats. All those injured people you used to run with are going to get mighty lonely.

Banking Miles said...

I would say that your Garmin must be broken - I would send it back for a full diagnostics test. Just kidding. Nice job.

IronWaddler said...

That rocks. SOme good times!! I just got my Garmin and I can't wait. I hope someday mine will be just as broke as yours.

Olga said...

When Rob comes back to run with you, he might not be able to stay along for a "ride"...may be I should ask you to pace me and not him or Eric?
Very nice, Michelle!

JustRun said...

I love when we surprise ourselves! How cool!