Punderson State Park

Lunch Loop at Punderson

May 8, 2025 – Newbury Township, OH
Distance: 2.73 mi | Time: 28:25 | Pace: 10:24/mi | Elevation Gain: 120 ft
Weather: Cloudy, 53°F, Humid (77%)
Relative Effort: 46

I snuck this one in around lunchtime—one of those overcast Northeast Ohio days where the clouds hang low but the trails stay inviting. Punderson never disappoints. The route traced familiar ground around the lake and through the woods, with a solid mix of flats and gentle climbs.

I started off briskly, clocking a 9:39 mile right out of the gate, legs feeling pretty fresh. By mile two, my pace mellowed out, and I found a steady rhythm—locked into tempo. Most of the run, in fact, landed in that sweet spot: Zone 3, with my heart rate hovering in the 150s. It’s a good place to be—working hard but sustainable, building endurance without flirting with burnout.

The last stretch slowed a bit. Maybe it was the climb. Maybe just fatigue. Either way, I was still moving, breathing steady, and taking in the quiet. I finished with an average pace of 10:24/mile, and my heart rate peaked at 162 bpm, topping out in the final push.

Looking at the week overall, this run helped push my weekly Relative Effort to 248, a noticeable bump from recent weeks. It’s the kind of uptick that feels good but makes you pause, too—time to make sure recovery is part of the plan.

Nothing fancy today. Just a good, honest run through the trees and around the lake. I’ll take that any day.