Semi-Naked Running

I ran another 5k last night, and even as I was getting ready to leave I was in two minds whether to go.  I felt tired and lethargic and a little light headed.  I put all that down to sitting in front of the laptop for too long and headed out into the cool Spring air, not planning on doing much more than a quick round-the-block run - maybe 2.5 to 3k

I was wearing a long sleeve running top and had pulled the cuffs down over my hands to try to combat the cold wind.  An unknown benefit of this was that I couldn't see the stats on my Garmin running watch, so I had no idea of what pace I was doing or for how long or far I had run.  However, I knew the distance from my house to the small bridge leading into the field, from the field to the meadow road, from the road onwards through the nature sanctuary past the old mill and back home - so I knew the distance I was covering.  Each 1k marker is ingrained in my mind I have done them so often.

I decided not to look at the watch for the whole run, relying on the familiar beep and buzz when I reached each 1k milestone.  I concentrated on keeping a comfortable pace and my breathing under control rather than how fast I was going or the distance.  I was tempted to look at the watch from time to time, but resisted.

By the time I reached the 5k mark I still felt good and had everything under control.  I could have carried on for at least another few km, but decided not to push it as I am out of practice, making sure I ran for at least 15 seconds past 5k and stopped the watch recording.  I have found that if you don't carry on for at least an extra 0.02k, the Strava app seems to not realise you have done a full 5k.  I have seen so many fellow runners get annoyed when they do a 5k, 10k or half-marathon and the apps don't properly detect you did the full distance and set your achievements accordingly - best to run that little bit further to make sure.

I did the 5k in 28.01 minutes - not bad for a fat old fool.

I won't always run without looking at my watch, but it was useful today to help me get round the course.  A "Naked" run is one where you don't wear any sort of watch or timing device, so I guess I could say this was a "Semi-Naked" run?