I wanted to do a long run today - Bank holidays are perfect for such things. I also wanted to combine 2 of my favourite running routes, a local lake and the woods to the north of Munich. Unfortunately one of the tracks to the woods has been blocked off as they're rebuilding a motorway bridge (only until August 2020, so that's alright then😩). This means a 2k detour and blocks off one of my nice round routes - grrr. It made my plan today quite ambitious.
It was clear pretty early on that I was not going to be breaking any records today. The first 3k were a bit of a slog, but then things picked up a bit. Running on tracks surrounded by fields with a little stream to my left and not another soul in sight - it made me feel good. Then my lovely little lake came into view, smooth as glass, beautiful and peaceful. I allowed myself a break at about 7k, sitting on a bench, having a drink of water, gazing out across the lake and pondering the world (see picture). I felt good after that aswell and was soon trotting along the trail that leads to the bridge over the motorway and ultimately to my woods. Whoosh - another runner shot past me, much faster than me. I trailed behind him, wishing I could run like that, noting that he was also heading to the motorway bridge. By the time I was up there though, he was disappearing between the hedgerows way off in the distance. Now I was in the fields heading up to a very smelly farm and what sounded like turkeys gobbling. The farm is actually part of the veterinary faculty of one of Munich's universities, so obviously turkeys are on the curriculum. Whenever I run/walk/cycle past there I imagine the young student vets learning how to bring calves into the world, shear sheep and treat hens for whatever diseases they get.
By now I was getting tired though and did not fancy heading into the woods and having to take the 2k detour. So a change of plan was in order and I decided to run along the road directly back to Munich. I was pretty sure there was a cycle path/footpath (there was - there are advantages to having cycled the area a few years ago!) and the road isn't exactly a major highway. It was still horribly boring, and my right thigh started to get niggly. In fact 6k from home I started some serious walking, but it was just too far to walk all the way. So run/walk it was. And very slow running at that! There were still fields and woods to my left and right and it's quite picturesque really, but it doesn't half drag! I was very pleased to get back into civilization, but still had 2k to go. They dragged too!
Despite my short cut the route was about 17k, of which I ran 14.5k, so not too bad. If I'd gone my planned route it would have been about 19k, which is probably a bit much at the moment. I need to do some more planning and work out a decent 15k for next weekend. Now there's something to look forward to.
No map to see my route !!!
Bring back the frost! 
