Virtual Training Run

Running route as seen on Google Earth

I read about a Virtual Training Run from Bull Runner where a group of runners would agree to run a certain distance at a set time and date, regardless of where you are in the world.  I decided to join as I had never done a training run with anyone before, and I hadn’t done anything more than an easy run the past 2 weeks.

 

As agreed, I set out to do my 10k at 6am this morning.  I targeted to run at tempo pace, running my usual route near our house and the surrounding areas.  I took the first 2km easy and accelerated to tempo pace on km3. I was able to sustain my target pace of 6min/km or better, except on km8, where I had to cross a busy street for my turnaround and I paused to take a sip of water.

 

I completed 10.36 km in 1:03:27, for an average pace of 6:07min/km, based on my Garmin.   Interestingly, my Nike+ underestimated the distance I covered, reporting only 10.03km, supporting my theory that the Nike+ will overestimate the distance if you run slower than calibration pace and will underestimate at faster than calibration pace.