Rainy run report - glorious!

[Sweatyfaced]

Ah, how marvellous!! Rain and a bit of wind! How I missed them.

Saved my weekend run 'til today when I saw the forecast. Was able to set off quite late at 9am as it was still cool and the first big drops were just beginning to fall. Walked my hubby to church for the warm-up and then set off, down the hill at a comfy pace. At k3, fought my way up the hill out of the village again being egged on all the way by the nosy alpacas who like to follow you, running against the wind now but feeling comfy. Tried running on my toes only to go up the hill and found it helped get me to the top.

Then the flat bit where I nearly always run past people mysteriously just "sitting in their cars" looking a bit flustered, who knows what I'm interrupting? Often the same couple... then on again up the next hill to my favourite view down and over the Thames Estuary.

Then I know I'm half way and have done the tough bit, it feels like down hill all the way (even though it isn't), trying not to thud too hard on my heels on the steep bits, then I'm flying along the coast path into the next village, past the ancient little church where people wave and say hi, then round the watercress beds and threading along a green lane, up over the hump, seeing my village spread before me on one side and a hill on the other... At k8 my music dies, can't fix it but I carry on, first time running naked... then skirting the edge of my village, past the primary school and into orchard country with the trees laid out in regimented rows... a picker shouts out hi and I smile and wave in return... under the buzzing pylons and round, up the steepest hill of the route, chugging away, and then back into my village, look at my watch, 11.5k, can I add in my little loop round the moated house? Yes I can, the lovely cool rain helps me along, back up the road and past the oast houses and then I'm back, standing at my back door and stretching. Lovely feeling!! Deserved my hot shower and cup of tea, looking forward to my roast dinner!!

[pinkaardvark Graduate10]

Lovely run report, don't even need any photos. Felt like I was there with you

[Sweatyfaced Graduate10 in reply to pinkaardvark]

Thanks, I felt pretty chuffed! 12.25k in 1hr30 so was a bit slow but i ran the whole way, even when my music died.

[mountaindreamer Graduate10]

Sound like a great run! 😊❤️

[Sweatyfaced Graduate10 in reply to mountaindreamer]

I loved it!

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

You did deserve that hot shower and how lovely to see alpacas on your run

[Sweatyfaced Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

They're always there if I care to run past them - they're unlike any other livestock though who mostly tend to run away. They seem to spot you, run towards you and then follow you as far as they can. I daren't stop to say hello, I feel like they might want to eat me, they're so keen on following my every movement... 😂

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Sweatyfaced]

I think they are herbivores do you should be safe; they probably just like the idea of running with you enjoying the same sense of freedom

[Sweatyfaced Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Yeah, I think they're some kind of elongated sheep but they're so tall!!! And I have had bad experiences with goats wanting a nibble... the fences are also enormously high which either indicates they eat all and sundry or they can seriously leap... 🤣

[SW16 Graduate10]

Sounds a lovely run! Its amazing what wind and rain can do to you! It was so nice to have a little lie-in yesterday, knowing that a 6am start to beat the heat wasn’t required! And you can only get wet once!

[Sweatyfaced Graduate10 in reply to SW16]

I know, wasn't it?? My sleep monitor suggested I got 11hrs!! Think I needed the catch up. 😀