A noticeably more natural run, with seven kilometers at a quicker overall pace and little apparent physical strain. The effort remained controlled, even as following pace targets felt unnecessarily demanding. Both 20-second strides and their recoveries executed correctly on Garmin, an encouraging technical milestone.
Heart rate stayed considerably calmer than Tuesday despite the faster running, strengthening the suspicion that the earlier spike was unreliable without proving sensor error. Your aerobic foundation looks encouraging, but consistently short sleep remains a reason to progress carefully rather than mistake easy sessions for wasted opportunities.
Takeaway. Stop chasing pace during easy running. Keep the effort natural, protect recovery, and arrive fresh for Sunday's longer run.
Next step. Easy Shakeout + Strides. A short, relaxed run to keep the legs moving before Sunday's long run. Enjoy the rhythm without chasing pace targets.