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+++ date = '2025-10-09T00:45:44+02:00' draft = false tags = [ "running","watch" ] title = 'Against the clock' +++ Tuesday, I was convinced I’d had a good session. I ran very slowly, stayed in the endurance zone, even managed to finish without any pain. In short, I thought it was a success.
Except… today, after comparing, I realize I was completely wrong.
##xTuesday — the misleading session
At the time, I thought I felt “fine.” But to avoid blowing up my heart rate, I had to slow down drastically — over 10 minutes per kilometer, almost walking. My Polar watch gave me a mediocre score, and I figured it was exaggerating.
In reality, I was just tired. Too tired to run properly. The watch picked up on it before I did.
Today — the difference
Two days later, I ran under the same conditions. Result: one more kilometer in 30 minutes, a much faster recovery afterward, and a feeling of ease I didn’t have on Tuesday.
Proof that that day, I was pushing too hard without realizing it.
The real lesson
What I’ve learned is that the watch isn’t a judge — it’s a mirror. It doesn’t “criticize” my runs; it shows me when I’m struggling, even if I don’t want to admit it.
Fatigue isn’t always visible. You think you’re fine, but the numbers tell another story. And in that case, the smartest thing to do isn’t to push harder — it’s to adjust.
What I take away
Better a slow jog at 10 minutes per kilometer than no jog at all. And sometimes, accepting to slow down is exactly what keeps you progressing — and injury-free.
So yes, on Tuesday I thought I felt fine. But today, I realize slowing down was the right call. Not for performance — but for longevity.