Heading somewhere new...🐾🏃‍♀️🐌🐌😎❤️

[mountaindreamer]

So this morning was my 6k run. Am loving that Oldfloss is coming along with me, as I really didn’t want to get up at 7 again...but when you’ve made plans with your running buddy there’s no chance for excuses!

Decided to drive a few miles down the main road to the start of the Wirral Way at Hooton. A nice change from housing estate pavements, on an old, flat disused railway line which has a pretty good surface on this section. Should see me nicely to 10k, and has lots of tree cover for the hotter weather too!

The car said 15degC outside - lovely! - and just those few miles down the road took us from threatening rain clouds to blue skies! Left the rain jacket in the boot and set off with my best “slow and steady” pace. 🐌🐌 😊 No Parkrun rush today, just nice and comfortably landing one foot in front of the other and enjoying new surroundings.

Stuck to only having one earphone in so I could hear any cyclists approaching. Just me, Oldfloss, a few dog walkers and a few cyclists. Soon left the narrower section with nettles and made our way through open farmland on a nice wide track.

Wanted to take a few photos for Floss, but I’m still in that scared newbie phase, where I fear I shouldn’t stop at all when running. 🙁 Well I did...and I was relieved and delighted to find the sky did not fall in after all! 🙄😂😂

As I listened to Runkeeper counting off the half ks, I already knew I could do this. Passed empty, old Willaston station - now restored and looking beautiful in the early morning sun. On through more farmland until I heard the 3k point had arrived, then about turned and headed back. Didn’t even really listen to my pace or the time, just smiled about what an amazing morning it was, and how great it was to be out running!😊❤️🐌🏃‍♀️❤️

I’ll not post about my short / Fartlek style pavement run on Wednesday, Oldfloss, but I’ll be taking you with me. Great to have experienced company for my early 10k plan runs! Thank you 😍

[Berksrover Graduate10]

Fantastic post, great to see you heading out on the longer runs 💪💪

[mountaindreamer Graduate10 in reply to Berksrover]

Thanks Steve. ❤️ Think this route will be more interesting for building to 10k rather than either round and round our estate, or up and down busy main road pavements. (Lots of people here run along the main roads, but I can’t help thinking traffic fumes make that a bit unhealthy.🙁)

[Hidden]

Lovely place to run Mountain and glad you enjoyed it. That's a good likeness there of Oldfloss

[mountaindreamer Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks - it was great! 😊 I’m starting to suspect Oldfloss has a secret speedy snail side, so am thinking of adding a little motor or “go faster stripes” to her picture! 😂😂

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

That is a great photo of you 'mountaindreamer' do doubt Oldfloss enjoyed running with you, she doesn't mind getting up at 7 am for a run, not sure if you do, it's lovely running with a running buddy when it's cool, not like last week in what seemed like boiling temperatures. From your photos of the route, it really looks lovely, as you say it's nicer than running through housing estates with concrete pavements.

[mountaindreamer Graduate10]

Thanks Alan. My arms aren’t really long enough for “selfies”, so they tend to end up pretty random!😂😊 I think this route should be good if we get the boiling temperatures back, because it’s got so many trees. (According to my husband it’s going to rain for the rest of the summer now, though, because I bought a hydration vest and bladder to take running in the heat! I did try to counter that effect by then buying a waterproof running jacket...😃😂🤣)

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

I loved this run...thank you, it was just what I needed this morning.!

What a great run and a great location...my old stamping ground...Chester College.. University of Liverpool

I love the flat.. and.. 6K is one of my favourites... I hit that point....and I could run for ever

I am so lucky to be out on these runs with you... thank you... you are doing wonderfully!

I am a happy old snail

[mountaindreamer Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

I didn’t realise you used to study around here. If I get chance then Wednesday’s short Fartlek run might be down the canals in Chester next to where I go to the gym! Will try to just take you a couple of pics if it is. You’ve inspired me to try new routes for better photos! 😀🐌❤️

PS Once that poor leg of yours gets sorted out, I’m hoping for a piggy back! 😂

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to mountaindreamer]

A long time ago...but I loved being in Chester... I remember walking around the walls one early morning after it has snowed... met my own footprints on completion

I would love to see some photos... who knows...we could try for a meet up run sometime, if I get the all clear from the Results of the MRI

[mountaindreamer Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Sounds lovely - we’ve all got everything crossed for those MRI results! 🤞🤞🤞❤️

[lexi6 Graduate10]

Loved your post MD and the gorgeous photos, what a lovely place to run. I love that loads of the old railway stations have been restored. I was born in Cheshire and lived there until aged 10 until we emigrated, so loving your photos, its “home” sigh!. Off track again. Lovely run by the way. ✌🏻😀 X

[mountaindreamer Graduate10 in reply to lexi6]

Glad to provide a little slice of “home”, Lexi. I think the station at Willaston is the only one they have restored on the Wirral Way, but it does look lovely. Even has the porter’s old luggage carriers out on the platform, and the old painted adverts on the walls. 😊❤️

[lexi6 Graduate10 in reply to mountaindreamer]

Sounds lovely. I was in the UK 3 years ago bringing my parents ashes home and we visited the restored Longridge Railway station, where my great grandfather was a signalman, felt weird in a good way seeing where he worked still intact and cared for. Keep your photos coming please. 🍌 (for the dog) X

[Bridget007]

That looks like a perfect place for a run! Flat and shady couldn’t be better! Well done on 6k 😃

[mountaindreamer Graduate10 in reply to Bridget007]

Thanks Bridget. 6k didn’t feel much different from our 5ks really - think we just need to keep slow and steady and trust in the programme. 🏃‍♀️❤️😊

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Well done mountaindreamer, I love disused railway lines for running, especially as they tend to be flat.....

You are well on your way now, is anyone else left on the bridge?

[mountaindreamer Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

I think the bridge is always full of lots of people, Eileen. New graduates arrive all the time, and everyone has to decide for themselves what they want to do next. Running for 30mins or 5ks is great, so there’s no pressure to move on anywhere. You just do what feels right for you. ❤️❤️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️