I had planned out a new route, about 8k in total and was going to run it last week, but I wasn't well, so had to hop on the IC for a week. Feeling much better, I have been longing to get out and stretch my legs. Hubby playing golf this evening, no world cup today, so Friday night was my comeback run night...
I got up at 7am this morning and hubby said, it feels cool at the moment, why not go now. Why not! So excitedly get my stuff together, suncream on, hair up, hat on, shades on, and yes, running buff soaked in cold water around my neck ( great idea SaskAlliecat, thank you😊)
Actually heading out the door at 8.45am...so not ideal, BUT there is a breeze, and later will have to be much later...
I promised Oldfloss she would be with me in spirit ( as she usually is) and she whispered in my ear, as it's so hot, go for the distance, but if you need a walk break or two that's fine.
Through the woods on my warm up walk and onto the lane, start up zombiesrun! and press start on my Garmin. No gps signal on my phone so thank you Ted again about the tip to buy a cheap Garmin on ebay!
Start to run up the lane, hmm not much shade, and where is the breeze, I go slowly then turn at the top to come back and immediately feel cooler. The breeze is blowing, lifting the brim of my cap, so I tighten it and enjoy settling onto my run.
Onto the pavement beside the main road, it's quiet, the school run is over, there is not much shade, but I just listen to my mission ( a reccy run to pick up some games they want) and enjoy the shady bits. Round the corner and into running mode I feel fine, nice breeze but it is hard work and at 3k where I have to balance on the narrow kerb or cross over, I choose to walk a few seconds to catch my breath...that's fine says Floss, you are out running, relax and look around a bit... Into the shade and off again I run to the corner. Now, this is where my adventure begins. I'm not turning and retracing my route yet. I'm crossing the road and running up an unmade road that leads to a cricket pitch in the woods! The road is stoney and slightly uphill and yes, in the sun, and when a delivery van comes up behind me, I gladly slow to a walk to let him past and carry on walking to reach the car park for the cricket. Here I can run again through a horse barrier and onto a track through bracken at the edge of the common. There is the cricket pitch, only a few dog walkers around though no play today. Onwards over a wooden bridge, past some houses tucked away then onto the lane where our favourite local pub is. Not open, but lovely hanging baskets and flowers and...a sprinkler going on the front lawn😁😎... First I run past it though and onto the village green. I was planning to run around this large circle of grass with the Maypole in the middle. But only one side is in shade, so I run up that side then turn and run back. The garmin says 4.4k so it is an 8k route. As I run up to the pub again, go on says Oldfloss, so I nip across and stand in the spray for a few seconds..,very refreshing. The wet buff around my neck has been doing a great job though and every now and then I've been turning it a little.
Feeling better I run back past the houses past the cricket pitch to the stony lane. Still in the hot sun. I have a little walk break, and catch my breath. The zombiesrun mission is over and we are in DJ mode which is still quite entertaining, I let a bus past then cross back and start to run, its the return journey now and feels easier, I run past a postman and a man standing in his driveway eating toast ( strange) I run past the kennels and up to the big tree. I walk on that little narrow bit where there is no proper pavement then run on, I should be fine for a bit I think, but at 6.5k on the watch I woulder whether I will manage the 8k I had planned. Just run to the next kerb then you can walk for a bit and see how you feel at the main road.
Turn the corner and start to run, still feeling OK, but it is hard work in the heat. I put on a good spurt, then think, I will just run up to the garage then call that it.. not a bad distance. As I get near the garage I notice the garmin is saying 7k run, Well that's OldFloss' favourite go to distance..so I think she would be saying Good job Jan slow down to a walk. So I do. A 7k run/walk, a new route, a sprinkler shower and a happy me, starts my long cool down walk.
I got my run in earlier than I was expecting today. And it was the run I wanted. 😎
Happy running all...😊xxx
x
A more gentle Club run
Windy and then wet 
What a beautiful day - time for a run 😊
New Forest paths...
