Gosh what a time I have been having and what a relief to get back to the coast in Criccieth for the first time this year!
I have been so here there and everywhere, with my HM training these past few months... hampered by wind and weather and a bit of illness thrown in for good measure... but still standing and heading for the 24th March with excitement.
I was over the moon to complete my first 16K run ( 10 miles in old money)...last week.. but even more excited to be back here in Criccieth and out for my first run here this morning!
I had set my gear out as ever, the night before and just hoped the weather forecast was fairly accurate with no rain until 10 a.m. I slept well, but with that fluttering tummy feeling I still get before my run days.. especially special runs!
I intended a longer run, but after an enviable amount of time spent faffing around.. it was not to be...so, past 8 o'clock when I headed out... A new route planned, but changed slightly to a shorter distance...so the views were different and there was a tad more traffic on the road!
Slate grey sky appropriately, for Wales, broken only, with slightly incongruous, pink tipped wisps of cloud...the air was icy.... as I headed in the opposite direction to my usual route.. and downhill too... it took my breath away. Glancing over towards the Harlech Dome... I pulled my jacket zip tighter and wished I had my warmer hat on., after the torrential rain last night, the fields beyond the wall were flooded and the sheep looking distinctly disgruntled, at having their grass served with water. The path was tricky with small and larger twigs and soggy leaves.. clearly not well walked, after the end of the holiday season.
Exactly a kilometre to the next village...the turn appropriately again, opposite a Care Home for the elderly... Not for me yet, I thought as I turned...I had a very slow first K and unsurprisingly I was faster on the return ,uphill K! Along and over the brow of the hill and that view...so many photographs of it, paintings done by my father and me and so many memories...I get the same overwhelming feeling every time I see it..it never changes!
Read this post which I wrote on my first return to Criccieth, at your peril...
A very quick photo stop and then down toward the town...the footpath partly tarmac repaired before the end of the year has been completed.. primroses nestling alongside snowdrops in the under hedge and daffodils... cheerful yellow trumpeters, not fluttering and dancing in the breeze, but blowing brazenly in a strengthening wind.
Turning down towards the Esplanade with the intention of cutting back, the sea stretched relentlessly towards a glowering horizon;white stallions. not yet full grown,racing towards the land..only to pull up short and retreat to gather forces to repeat their assault on the shore.
There was no other person in sight... there was just me... as I turned to retrace my steps.. the railway crossing gates closed, and as the wind was chilling I decided to to run along by the sea.Towards the lifeboat station, and along the Esplanade. my feet, landing lightly, yet still making their own music.. and flinging it into the waiting air... on and up the steep short hill back to the main road and across to seek out a new footpath...past Memorial Hall and the small Anglican church, up and past the Catholic church... sisters in faith... silent until Sunday. And finding a footpath sign partially hidden I carried on...running along, beside the overgrown,, windblown winter back gardens of the neat terraced house of the Green...ramshackle sheds and greenhouses. Waiting for spring sprucing and warmer days.
Out with a sudden stop onto the road again and the delight of a downhill into the town.. left turn towards the town end and down towards the sea...As I ran, the faintest sharp tangs of salt as I breath.. legs strong, rounded ankles, feet kissing the ground now... I had no idea how far I had run, but the sea called... trickling through the small housing estate and the hidden cut-throughs until I rounded the corner to Marine Terrace and the wind hit me... my cap took off, closely followed by me... and we ran towards the coastal path....the waves were now pounding the sea wall, and throwing themselves over the lower walkway... no chance of running there...I made the end of the road and decided to turn... two run-ins with over excited sheepdogs this last week, have been enough, and the one in front of me, even with his owner looked ready for fun ...Back along the Terrace, B and Bs.... closed and unoccupied, and nipping up Lon Bach..stopping again, for a quick photo of an unpleasant and rude gremlin... I leave the blustering and the banging, and run past the school and the playing fields...and out again towards Lon Felin and Beach Bank.
As I run, I can feel icy needles on my cheeks and the first spots of rain begin to fall. Rain adds wings to my heels, and I up the pace for a last sprint, along the still empty sea front. In a few months, this place will come to life, with the onset of the holiday makers who have loved, and will love this gem of Gwynedd.
But, today, this morning, it is mine and it belongs only to me, the seabirds overhead, shout their agreement, the waves applaud me, as with my breath coming easy, my legs moving without thought, I race towards my finish line.
To my surprise,, I have run a slow and steady 7K... another few miles to put onto the legs before my HM... with luck, I will be here next week for my last long run before that happens...the mountains and the sea will be replaced by the limestone serenity of the dales and peaks of Derbyshire...but for me, now ...this is enough
Written by
Oldfloss
Administrator
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Thanks you... I don't have a lot of time to ramble now... so many folk on the forums... but... I was so happy to be back in Wales an especially before my first HM! It always makes me want to share.. xxx
Back to the Land of my Father Oldfloss, and as always a beautifully written post. If anyone wants inspiration to run, this is it.
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Dexy5
I love being here, and feel so lucky to have the options of running here or at home. Even on the wildest days...this small town stands firm.. full of memories for me..old and new
I have little time for rambling now, but I need to do more..it is one of the main reasons why I run
Great run for you today Floss, yes, not too long now until you run that half marathon, I wish you all the best for that.
Earlier today, being International Women's Day there was a post from one of the administrators of C25K parent company Healthunlocked telling us of the most inspiring women in history, she also asked readers who in their opinion were the women who had inspired them, I wrote back to her that Oldfloss and Realfoodieclub of C25K had inspired many people on this site.
Realfoodieclub told us all here that she had donated one of her kidneys to her husband, that was a really amazing thing for her to do.
Thank you so much,,, this forum is full of inspirational folk... fearless and strong.
They keep me going .... Realfoodieclub is just incredible... and what she does for all of us is above and beyond the call of anyone's idea of duty.
Ye.. the HM is nearly here... last two weeks now.. I am slightly over excited.. and really looking forward to the whole experience. A few forum friends will be there.. either as onlooker or Marshals, which will be really great!
It has not changed at all...everything still where it was... the Railway station house and station buildings are for sale not the platform though... Might suit eldest kitten?
I was going to this morning, we went to look at it yesterday....but... the first bit is through really soft sand and then on the shingle and sand; now, having had a minor calf tear a while back and being warned off sand running ( of any kind) by my Sports Physio' I don't want to try it before the HM...I would not want all the training to go to waste!!
I shall, however have a Park run there after the HM It is fabulous!
Oh, so exhilarating a run and so exhilarating to read Floss! I love it when you take us with you on your runs.. and this one was a real treat!
So much running of late in preperation for your first HM...and I feel sure that with that 13k and then 16k run done you must be feeling that you will make that finish line. I'm looking forward to cheering you on!😊
I wondered if you are running for a charity Floss, it's such a great distance, I would love to sponser you if you have a charity in mind. Do you have a justgiving page or something?
Enjoy your time at the coast, those runs are very special to you we can tell, I hope the weather is a bit kinder for you though!
Happy running and more of these smashing run reports please!😁xxxx
Still raining and really stormy, at the moment my friend.... but it is truly great to be here.. Maybe a wild wet walk this morning! You will all enjoy that
I am really excited about the HM and us meeting up...@anniemurph is going to be a marshal too!!! I need to calm down a bit.. it feels like my birthday is coming early!
I was not going to run for a charity but, I do know I will finish the run..it won't be speedy but it will be fun..,so yesterday, I have opened a JUSTGIVING page for the British Heart Foundation... I have heart disease on my paternal side... ( one reason for me trying to stay heart healthy ), there is so much research that needs to be done.
We have awesome friends on here who have first hand experience of the effects of heart disease... everything from Heart attack strokes and dementia...and all in between...so if anyone did feel they may want to donate, even a tiny amount.... that would be incredible
If anyone wants my link they just need to personal message me...
Me too! Its starting to feel very real, and close and I'm not even running!😊Accommodation is booked, just the pom poms to make!😉
Very excited to be meeting you and maybe a few other forum friends!
I will message you to get the sponsership details...The British Heart Foundation is a very worthy charity. I had an operation on my heart in 1966 when I was little, so I have a lot to be grateful for...and their work is so important. I think knowing you have raised funds with your amazing effort will make it more special, and every little helps...❤😊
A wild wet walk is about all I'm up to presently. My nasal passages are still stuffed up, but not as bad as the beginning of the week... will keep taking the tablets..my birthday is coming up soon too and I want to be well! 😊xxx
Thank you Cheeky! I just keep on putting a few in, here and there... I will not be fast.. not me..but it will be a terrific experience... and seeing some forum friends there too will be really amazing...!
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Jell6
I take you all with me in my head... believe me... that fellow.. he is new.. and gave me a start! I was just about to nip up a short, but quite steep bit, near the end of my run, and he seemed to me, very sneery!
I will picture him next time one of those buggers tells me I need to stop👿👿
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Jell6
I did actually lick my tongue out right back at him... he is I think, a protective house effigy.. I do have one, as small one that was made by a young student... it hangs by my back door. They are meant to protect the home from evil entities...so maybe, he would war off those pesky running gremlins too
What a lovely ramble Floss. Running is just the bee's knees (and the ant's elbow)
You do such a lot to support others on here, it's nice to hear about your running.
That is just so lovely! I'm in Derbyshire with childhood memories of holidays to grandparents near Abersoch. I went to Criccieth last October and was hoping for my first holiday/seaside run but was out of action with ankle problems. We're going back soon and reading your posts has increased my eager anticipation! Lovely ramble! Thank you!
You could head out to Bakewell, on the 24th, there will be a few forum friends there for the HM.. and if you PM me, maybe we could do the Pwhelli Park Run, together, when you visit
Some super runs round and about Criccieth.. I am finding new ones all the time
Thank you for the kind invites but I am a complete solitary hermit and the idea of a big gathering has me running so fast in the other direction I'd probably obliterate my PB! haha! The forum is perfect for me to chat and I do smile and wave at other runners while I'm out but actually talking to someone in real life is a rare thing!
As ever, I loved it..... I am sure if I looked round less, I would run further... but I just enjoy it so much!
I have not got too many longer runs in, but it has built up steadily... my legs and me feel strong...son in law is running it with me, although he would do it in half my time!
I am relying on you all being there... it is a must xxxxx
I can only say oh my goodness Oldfloss! what an amazing ramble. Thank you so much for making the time to write such a special and wonderful post for us. X
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to lexi6
Thanks you... my rambles mean so much... as does my running xx
Just on our way to London for my very lovely daughters first HM tomorrow, the Vitality Big Half. As you know she has had her own health challenges but she will complete it... aiming for 2:30 time and has raised funds for a charity close to our family’s heart.
You and she are both strong and insirational women..... whoop whoop whoop.
Spot on Jan... a mix of all of those feelings! Before her transplant I could never have dreamed she would get back to such good health and fitness. Im hoping the conditions are kind xxx
Oh wow... now there is a truly inspirational woman... please wish her all the very, very best for her run... tell her slow and steady ..ha ha.. and to really enjoy xxx
That’s beautifully written! I really enjoyed it as your excitement built! I could feel your running and you are so eloquent! Thank you. (Just a bit jealous tho 🤣- it sounds a perfect ideal running route). Hope you get there again next week. 😊
Oh dear Floss, ramble or not, that was a lovely, lovely ramble, I was imagining me being there with you....... And you were in Wales, my home land, oh my. Brilliant Floss and lovely memories too xxx ❤️
Ah, I love an Oldfloss ramble! So enjoyed this, sitting here with my cup of tea. Glad you are almost ready for your half marathon, Oldfloss - so exciting!😀
I was drinking a cup of tea too when I read this......spooky...I do love mt rambles... and I am a tad excited.. not sure how it will go, but I intend to do my best! Hope all good with you my friend? xxx
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
week3run1 ✅. 3 x 17 mins with 1 min walks. 
How did your parkrun or (not)parkrun go?
