Lovely 7k mostly trail run, 2 degrees, wind ... - Bridge to 10K

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Lovely 7k mostly trail run, 2 degrees, wind chill -2 but brilliant with sunshine:

39 Replies

I will be honest, if I’d known the hard surfaces were that slippery, I would have stayed at home, instead of which I bundled up in three layers of clothing and thermal running leggings and just had to negotiate the frosty bits by running at walking pace.

Down the London Road the sun was like strobe again, low in the sky and striking between the trees in oblique flashes. When I reached the salt way, the fierce light was on my left, illumining icy patches that shone and danced like sparklers.

This is an undulating route where you have to dodge rocks, mud, frozen ruts, tree roots and uphill stretches of grass bright with frost. The woodland paths are pocked with iron hard hoof prints. There are many gates to negotiate, and a rustic plank bridge over a shallow brook.

But, oh, the sense of freedom, getting away from traffic and people and having this shining, beautiful world to myself; the only other living beings I saw were birds and sheep.

Running through a wood of graceful birch and young beech trees, I experienced moments of pure, unalloyed joy, broken only by my sister phoning just as I stopped to take a photo.

Then past a deserted farmhouse and back towards Chipping Norton, civilisation and a hot bath.

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39 Replies
over61andstilltrying profile image
over61andstilltryingGraduate10

Hi Flick, Well done to you! I really know what you mean by, "the sense of freedom, getting away from traffic and people." It is so lovely, isn't it, to be away from noise? It has certainly proven to be a welcome bonus of running, more peaceful sightseeing!😊 Happy New Year to you!

I am sorry, but I have lost the plot on your house moving. Has it happened or are you in a 'needing more patience' phase?

in reply to over61andstilltrying

Thank you 😊

The move is in process - I reckon it will be around March. Searches still taking place.

over61andstilltrying profile image
over61andstilltryingGraduate10 in reply to

Good to hear that your move is in progress. 😊🏡

Tartancat profile image
TartancatGraduate10

There's nothing better than getting out away from everything - we're so lucky to be able to!

in reply to Tartancat

Yes, it was so lovely 😊

Katnap profile image
KatnapGraduate10

Did you tag iron because of the horse shoes? 😸

Sounds like a lovely run 😸

in reply to Katnap

I didn’t tag it, the site does it if you use a word it thinks is relevant 😊

Katnap profile image
KatnapGraduate10 in reply to

Oops! Clever but wrong.. LOL

in reply to Katnap

It gave me cannabis for one post!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10

I love your descriptive posts Flick. You transport us there, and that run sounds idyllic. ❤️

in reply to cheekychipmunks

Thank you 😊 that’s only the second time I’ve run that route - last time it was sub zero with high winds- and it’s been special both times. I 5hink it will be glorious in spring x

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate10

This sounds wonderful Hidden ...your posts always make me want to run right now!! How lovely sharing the world with just the birds and sheep...sounds idyllic, perfect start to the day x

in reply to Mummycav

Thank you. All it needed was some beefcake to appear over the horizon xx🤪

MutleyShuffle profile image
MutleyShuffleGraduate10

Sounds like a magical run with all that sparkly frost and peace and quiet. I am loving exploring new routes off the beaten track too - this running lark has opened a whole new world of countryside adventures! I even got a new OS map for Christmas!!

Isn’t it wonderful, that sense of exploration ❤️

orangeguy profile image
orangeguyGraduate10

Nice, but looks a bit muddy, Don't mess up those nice orange shoes 😂

in reply to orangeguy

That was the only muddy bit. I was wearing my nice orange trail shoes. They are made of ripstop nylon and seem to shrug off mud. The soles are a bit muddy though 😊❤️🍊

orangeguy profile image
orangeguyGraduate10 in reply to

I can imagine, I was out this morning on my normal 'off road' route and got rather messy :)

in reply to orangeguy

The rest of the run was non muddy- the ground was hard and frosty 🥶

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10

Sounds and looks beautiful Flick 😀

in reply to JonathanP

It’s a magical run, no modern farming methods to be seen; an unspoiled landscape

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator

Simply, simply wonderful.....transported into a magical , beautiful, bountiful wonderland...sights... sounds... senses... breathing in frost, freshness and ( your word), freedom.

Thanks Flick.. I needed this... go you! xxxxx

Thanks Floss. It was one of those runs where everything comes together and the sense of joy and connection is tangible xxxx

Wimborne profile image
Wimborne

Such lovely words.... sounds blissful. i finally plucked up courage to leave my trusted park where I run round in circles for ages and did my first ever trail run at weekend. I won’t even try to describe it as my creative use of language does not extend much past ‘ I ran in the woods’ but it was lovely 😊

in reply to Wimborne

Well done for hitting the trails. And I ran in the woods says it all - very evocative words x

Deals1 profile image
Deals1Graduate10

🐦 🐑 and a deserted farmhouse sounds fab 😀🏃

in reply to Deals1

A very spooky Victorian one! :)

Deals1 profile image
Deals1Graduate10 in reply to

Ohhhh ...I'd peeping through the windows! Could be a loo stop if needed. 😂😂

in reply to Deals1

It would have been a lot of trouble to access it, and I wasn’t sure if the other farm buildings were still used. There was a car parked there and sheep in a nearby field. And it was a VERY spooky house! 😱😱😱

Agelesslass profile image
AgelesslassGraduate10

Sounds like an adventurous run, not boring at all, which sometimes roadrunning is. Lovely photos too.

in reply to Agelesslass

Mostly I don’t find any run boring, there is always something different, but I have to admit running round this small town can be a pain at times ☹️

SaskAlliecat profile image
SaskAlliecatGraduate10

So lovely 💕

in reply to SaskAlliecat

Thank you Allie xx

SaskAlliecat profile image
SaskAlliecatGraduate10 in reply to

I love that you even make the ice sound lovely. As much as I hate the ice though, it is gorgeous as the sun glints off of it.

in reply to SaskAlliecat

It IS beautiful, it’s just it’s evil too 😂

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate10

Perfect :)

in reply to ju-ju-

Just one of those runs where it all comes together 😊

Elfe5 profile image
Elfe560minGraduate

Wonderful! 😀 Thanks for taking us with you! 😃

in reply to Elfe5

You are very welcome 😊❤️

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