Run 65. Reverse Roller Coaster. 5/1/2020.
Having run the “roller coaster” run in an anticlockwise direction and recording a time of 1:50:20 I decided to back this run up with a run in the opposite direction to see if there is any advantage based on direction. This time I ran it in a clockwise direction and on the basis that everything else was basically the same I was able to assume that the original counter clockwise direction was 0.88% faster than running in a clockwise direction. At 1:51:18 for the second run, I now have scientific evidence that there is a significant difference.
This was the first run of 2020, somewhat delayed by the heat and the smoke that had engulfed Victoria due to the vast area impacted by the bushfires. Medical authorities warned against excessive exercise in the smoke and I didn’t have to test this theory to accept it. In Wangaratta early in the new year and whilst I was keen to run in this area the 40 degree days and thick smoke made my decision for me.
And although this run was the same course as the one 12 days ago – running in the opposite direction completely changes the view. The ultimate in same same but different.
My Three Learnings
Counter Clockwise is faster than clockwise.
Hills are still hills regardless of direction.
Same course looks very different from the opposite direction.