I love running when I visit family in Exmoor - I am relaxed, not tired, no time constraints and wonderful trails. This visit I had already run a 10k and 9k, although with a week's recuperation in between (fall from a horse - that's another story!), but I wanted to do a longer run, just a bit more than 10k would do, just to prove to myself that I could do it. So the map was studied and route planned. A challenging route (for me) with varied terrain, undulating tracks and one very steep hill up a lane! The first trail followed a river through some beautiful woodland. The track was rough and covered with wet leaves, slippery tree roots and loose stones so focus and a steady pace was required! The track ended at an ancient pack horse bridge and as I turned onto the lane I was confronted by a very steep hill......deep breath and go for it. It was hard - I sounded like a steam train and felt like I was running on the spot but I was determined to run the whole route. At last I reached the top and turned off the lane onto the open moorland. The wide grassy track was a relief after the stony tracks and steep hill and I was enjoying myself. Eventually a steep, rough footpath led down into another wood and back towards the village. But only 10k.....so I took a detour around the edge of the village up a lane (phew not more uphill!) and finally turned to run the last part downhill into the village and across the recreation ground. I checked runkeeper - 13.04k!!! I feel amazed and so pleased with myself.
Thank you Couch to 5k and all the supportive and inspiring folk on this forum. Happy running everyone
(ps sorry about sideways photo - can someone explain why I cannot seem to get any photos the right way up, I have tried lots of different things!!)
Written by
skysue16
Graduate10
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Well done on that distance skyesue16! It looks and sounds like a beautiful run - I love exploring trails and yours sounds great, if a little hilly in places! Not sure about the sideways photo but I think sometimes you can get issues if you post from certain phones? I always post photos from my iPad or pc to avoid this.
13.4k, well done, and In Lovely surrounding. Lucky you.
I got the impression the trees were growing up side down as they were trying to reach Australia maybe? 😃
My iPad is temperamental and I sometimes get my pictures up side down too. I solve the problem by turning them around before posting, save them that way, post them, then return them to their original side.
Looks lovely and well done on your distance! I haven't got a solution to the upside down problem, but I've downloaded an app that lets me make a collage of pictures (normally I want to post more than one). Those pictures are always the right way up.
That run looks and sounds beautiful and an amazing distance with hills too! No idea about the photo - mine always end up on their dude and I don't know why.
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