Lovely Sunday morning 10k in my new Clouds

Good morning lovely running buddies!

Well, I couldn't resist. Last night I slipped on my lovely new Cloudflows, having stared lovingly at them in the box for a while, and took them on our first date. Just a short, sharp 1k, that's all, but I was already smitten. They felt a much, much better fit than my old running shoes, and with the addition of Sadie's runners loop thingy, they felt perfectly secure so I wasn't wasting energy with my foot moving inside the shoe. Oh, and they are also very light, which is a welcome change from my old ones.

So obviously I had to give them a thorough test this morning, so I set off thinking I might do 5k. Pretty soon the plan had changed, definitely going to be a 10k, how could I resist in shoes so amazing? The route should be on the pic I'll hopefully remember to attach from my phone after I post this, but nearly the same as my last 10k, but with a slight alteration at about 9.5k to avoid an annoying set of steps down to the canal. If you look at the bottom of the route, you will see a gentle curve as the route rounds a particular clearing in the trees. This is a nightmare because months of winter mud followed by what feels like months of heatwave have turned the mud into very hard ruts, so I had to watch my step and pick my route carefully. That certainly slowed me down, but the Clouds handled it with ease, giving just that balance between firmness and cushioning. Did I mention that I'm in love with them?

For a full route description, see my last post, but since I know a few people are familiar with the area, notable features are a long gentle descent on roads, from the canal to Rose Hill Station, the start of the middlewood way, the climb up from Middlewood station to the canal, mainly hardened ruts and cow muck, and the nasty little hump backed bridge just before high lane.

Still, another 10k in the ever-filling bag of 10ks. Would you believe it, I matched my pace from my first 10k, and that was done on the flat. I'm feeling very happy right now

See you all soon, run safe!

Neil

[Sadie-runs Graduate10]

Lovely lovely report, Neil, and look at your happy wee face! You have the flush of love in your cheeks. 💕 They truly are gorgeous shoes, eh? I love how light yet supportive they are.

And you cracked out another 10km 👏👏👏 Well done, buddy. You are going from strength to strength. I am very pleased. 😁

I wish you and your beautiful new running shoes a long and happy life together. 😂

Sadie-runs xxx

[Hidden in reply to Sadie-runs]

Thanks Sadie That's the happy but sweaty, hot, redfaced version of me. I wouldn't have posted a pic because I didn't want to scare you all, but then I had one space left in that little picture thingy.

Yes - another 10k done, and a very enjoyable one too. It's got enough variation that I don't get bored, which is great, a bit of everything. Towpath, road, hill, really really rough trail... you'd love it!

I have to be honest, I still can't quite get my head round the fact that I can run that distance, or that I'm describing any distance of run as enjoyable. It was though

[Jay66UK Graduate10]

Great run, great smile!

[Hidden in reply to Jay66UK]

Thanks Jay, and sorry to scare you

[Hidden]

So pleased for you. They are awesome shoes and yours are a brilliant colour. I swear Ons make you run faster x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Flick. Oh they are so light and lovely, it was a pleasure to take them on their first proper outing. I have never ever spent that much on shoes of any sort before though... so it's a bit of a first for me. I'm going to have to be a little careful with money this month lol

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I wore mine this morning. I can’t work out which of my Ons I like best - and I’m seriously skint now! 😳 don’t follow my example - holes in my leggings, need new knickers and got loads of running gear 😂

[Richard7 Graduate10]

Looking good Neil .. fab run .. keep clocking them up

[Hidden in reply to Richard7]

Thanks Richard, I'm trying my best Addicitive, this running thing, isn't it?

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Lovely colour, and they look as comfy as slippers. There’ll be no stopping you now 🏃‍♂️😁👟

[Hidden in reply to Dexy5]

It's funny you should mention that, I did actually wear them for a couple of hours the day I got them, instead of my slippers. That's how comfy they are!

The colour is actually great, but took a little getting used to. I don't like to stand out too much, blend into the shadows as it were!

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

No blending in - people will

Be looking at them with envy 😂

[quirkybee]

Way to go Neil, glad you posted your happy photo and that of the clouds too. Ooh, such brilliance and what a fabbo run you've had..... Lovely 10k's, I'm envious, I'm just about managing 5k,lol, but I need to run more often and then I know I'll improve. Going to have a look at your route now, so glad you're getting along with your new clouds, they are truly handsome x 😊

[Hidden in reply to quirkybee]

Thank you! I don’t normally post pics of me, but since I was feeling especially happy, I thought why not!

And don’t stress about distances, we are not all the same, with different lifestyles. I happen to have more free time at the moment due to being separated/divorced, and this helps me not to get too down about it. Don’t beat yourself up for not running, just relish it when you do!

[DebJogsOn]

Great run Neil! And shoes look truly amazing.

[Hidden in reply to DebJogsOn]

Thanks Deb, it was fun! I’ve never had such posh running shoes, so going out in them felt like a real honour lol!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10]

Brilliant Hidden , those new shoes are very lucky to have a new owner who will look after them lovingly & make sure they get used for what they’re made for, excellent running!! 😉

[Hidden in reply to Mummycav]

Thanks! I can see this is going to be the start of a long and beautiful relationship 😁

[Dizzysmum17 Graduate10]

Yay! Those lovely shoes! I knew you couldn’t resist - and lovely descriptions too! Well done on a great run 🏃 👟

[Hidden in reply to Dizzysmum17]

You’re right, I couldn’t! I made a half-hearted attempt in the shop to look at others, but if I’m honest, once I saw the clouds, there was no other option

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Sounds nigh on Perfect Neil.. Go you😊xx

[Hidden in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thank you Jan, the run was lovely, as are the shoes. I’m growing to love longer runs now, and being outdoors. I don’t know what’s got in to me, but I love it!!

[Whatsapp Graduate10]

Just fallen for a new pair of running shoes myself. Its only been 3 runs so far, but I am a definite convert.

From the looks of your picture you are not wearing running socks?

[Hidden in reply to Whatsapp]

What, there are such a thing as running socks? I've only just discovered that running shorts are a thing!!

I *definitely* should not have googled runners underwear at work lol

[Whatsapp Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Oh yes, and with a little L or R on them as its important you get them on the correct feet.

[quirkybee in reply to Whatsapp]

Oh so true, lol 😁

[Hidden in reply to Whatsapp]

The world of running just gets more and more strange

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I am horrified you are not wearing running socks, horrified! How are you not getting blisters?!? 😱

[Sarakc Graduate10]

What a lovely post Neil! So glad you’re enjoying your new shoes!!

As for running socks!! It was my birthday at weekend and my son got me a pack of the most beautiful running socks ever!! (5 pairs all different colours!!) They are so amazing!!! He said he googled gifts for runners!!! Then opted for the £10 or under of course!! You’ll have to treat yourself!! 😀

[Hidden]

Thank you Sara, yes I love them. Can't wait to take them out for a spin again.

So - running socks. News to me! Do they somehow make you go faster? Provide extra spring in your step? Improve your stamina? I bet it's something to do with moisture wicking isn't it? Anyway, I shall investigate! Seriously, I had no idea they were a thing.

Oh - and did you notice that your son googled "Gifts for Runners" - you are very much a runner