Used the sticks this morning. On the road at 0507, usual 5K route. Best walking (trekking) pace to date, 16'19"/mi, negative splits until the final quarter mile. Average heart rate was 142bpm, 502 calories expended.
Looking at the heart rate zones, the Fitness app reports I spent 19'46" in Zone 5 (152+bpm). Technically, I think "Zone 5" is supposed to be a level of effort you can only sustain for a very short period, not minutes. I think my maximum heart rate is above whatever iOS thinks it is. They seem to be using 220 minus my age (67). Ten or fifteen years ago I could hit 180-190bpm. My max is probably somewhere closer to 170 these days. 78°F, 94% humidity, shirt was soaked when I got home.
I didn't feel uncomfortable in terms of effort. My left calf and right arm itched because I think I got bit a couple of times on the walk. I knew I was pushing, but I wasn't at the very top end.
Part of it is getting better with the poles. I think I need to split these poles out into a left one and right one, and adjust the boot of the left pole. When they land squarely, there is no mechanical vibration or metallic rattle. With the pole in my left hand, I'll often hear and feel the vibration. I can move my hand a bit to get it to strike squarely, but in its natural position, I get more vibration. The boots are configured identically on both poles.
Only encountered one person and no cars. Clear sky, many stars, Jupiter and Mars still near conjunction.
So I guess I'll mix it up and use the sticks one day, the daypack and weight another day, just walking on other days. I haven't combined the daypack and the sticks yet. Variety, spice of life, something like that.
Originally posted at Nice Marmot 07:27 Thursday, 15 August 2024