Down in the Dumps or Dumps in the Downs 💩

[Razouski]

As I seem to have a packed schedule today, I decided that this morning’s run would be a shorter one, but I would try a new route as I’m over familiar with my usual 6k.

It was raining, but I wasn’t going to be deterred, as I set off with 🧢 cap and rain jacket, raring to go. The first part of the run took me through an Whipperley estate and then to the crest of a small green area, Dallow Downs. As the name suggests, this was a very steep downward slope, and was dotted with bushes and trees. Pleasant enough, I thought as I tried to control my legs from running to fast down the hill.

It wasn’t until I got to the bottom that it dawned on me: this was an out and back run, so at some point I would have to run back up again. Pushing this thought to the back of my mind I continued on my run for another km before turning to run gently back. As I approached the down I noticed an alternative path tucked between two houses which looked much less steep so decided that, even if this would be a much easier climb.

However once I got to the first bend in the path I realised this was just an illusion. I was faced by a steep set of steps cut into the grass, and most of them muddy. But I could do this, I told myself, and set to on running up the steps.

I say running... I started in a sort of running motion, but who was I kidding. It very quickly morphed into more of a shuffling motion, accompanied by puffing and panting. The place was littered with beer cans and other assorted detritus, and in my reluctance to look at the mess, I plodded onward and before I knew it had trodden in an unexpected pile of 💩. Now I’m no expert but this looked suspiciously human, but I wasn’t hanging around to find out. However the rest of my ascent included a walking style with me dragging my left foot sideways in an attempt to remove the offending matter from my running shoe.

By the time I reached the summit I was completely knackered and with the dragging of my foot must have looked like I was trying out for a part in Shaun of the Dead 🧟‍♀️.

However, as the hill flattened out I managed to pick up my running and headed straight for home, having clocked up my slowest 6k in ages at around 38 minutes.

My trainers are still outside, I will deal with them later, but hopefully the rain will continue and make my job a little easier.

[Rignold]

I am very pleased to discover this story did not culminate with a dump being taken.

[HeleneCorsa Graduate10 in reply to Rignold]

I too feared the worst...

[VictoriaRuns]

Oh dear! They say you never regret a run that you've done, but maybe this is the exception 🙈

[pinkaardvark Graduate10]

Be grateful your not zola budd

[Hidden in reply to pinkaardvark]

Pink what happened to Zola Budd. I know that Paula Radcliffe had to stop to have a tinkle but Zola Budd ? 😀😀

[pinkaardvark Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

She was famous for running bare foot

[Hidden in reply to pinkaardvark]

Oh of course! I forgot that . I understand. I should have remembered. Doh !

Thanks Pink !😀😀

[Rignold in reply to Hidden]

she was also famous for being involved in a collision with Mary Decker during the 1984 Olympics, in which Decker's running spikes gouged Budd's ankle causing her to stumble into Decker's path. This put Decker out of the race. Budd managed to finish but her injury meant she only took 7th place. She was blamed for the incident, unfairly, by the American press.

there was also already controversy because she was granted British citizenship, with unusual speed, being a South African during apartheid.

[Hidden in reply to Rignold]

Yes Rignold I do remember that now. Hubby and I had only been married for about 6 months. Goodness that was such a long time but I do remember watching that now. Thanks Rignold for jogging my memory😀😀

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate in reply to Hidden]

I used to run barefoot.... for my County....220 yds and 440 yds... in my youth.... long, long before Zola Budd

Until someone sabotaged me... she was wearing spikes

[Hidden in reply to Oldfloss]

It wasn’t Mary or her sister was it? My feet would be real sore if I ran in bare feet .😀😀

[Razouski in reply to pinkaardvark]

Yes, thank goodness I had running shoes on and not bare feet.

[Hidden]

This is terrible! Poor you....people are gross sometimes 🤢

[MikeJones68 Graduate10]

Urgh! Yuck! Still a good 6k time considering the obstacles

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

Yuk. There's got to be a good story behind that though. Why??? How even??? Maybe an accident? Ill? We'll give some humans the benefit of the doubt.

But well done on the run 🙂

[Razouski in reply to Irishprincess]

I’ve no idea... but it was yeurgh! 😫

[Hidden]

Yuck! Ive run thorugh dog poo, which is bad enough, but human...

I thought Paula Radcliffe stopped to poo, not wee.

[Razouski in reply to Hidden]

I also thought that Paula had a number 2. 🤔

[Hidden in reply to Razouski]

It was London marathon 2005 .she stopped,she weed,she won,clever girl😀

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

No Paul Radcliffe while running 2005 London marathon stop in front of everyone and had wee and then went on to run the race.😀

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate10]

Sounds like the local dump (😂). A good time though - you're a speedy lady!

[Razouski in reply to JaySeeSkinny]

😂😂😂

Don’t think I’ll be running there again though.

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate]

Yuksters.... but... I think you have been talent spotted for ;The Walking Dead"

[Anthie Graduate10]

aahaha Your post made me laugh so much! Despite the "short cut" and all, you've done a great run!! They say (or is it only a French saying?) that walking/stepping into a pooh brings you luck, so here you are, watch out for the next weeks and perhaps buy a lottery ticket

[Razouski in reply to Anthie]

Well if I win the lottery I'll be buying myself a new (clean) pair of running shoes. 😂😂😂

[HeleneCorsa Graduate10]

Yuk! I did chuckle at your description of your lurching gait. It would perhaps surprise you but the area around the Vatican is notorious for being full of suspiciously large poos and a conspicuous lack of dogs. It is horrible.