I don’t usually run on Wednesdays as I go and visit my elderly mum, but because yesterday was hoolacious and wet I put it off until today.
I was due for a longer run of 7k or more, but with the limited time today I couldn’t do more than 4k, so I popped up to the common with my fabulous trail shoes on. Dog was pleased with this option - lots of fun smells - and she could run free. 🐕
Duly started running and the gremlins thought I was nuts. Blowing a hooley, first run since coming back from hols ..... “stop you fool” they were saying. I slayed the lot of the them and soldiered on, duly completing my 4k uphill, downhill, headwind (cheers Gareth), tailwind (I like Gareth) - the lot. It was fabulous fun (of course!) ❤️
The beauty of the common is that you can mix up the trails as you wish. Incorporate plenty of hills, which all have lovely downhills attached, stay on the flat, gnarly ground, flat ground - the possibilities are endless.
So here’s my plan. Next week I’m going to do my 10k up there. Mix it right up. I’ll go early so avoid as many dog walkers as possible (although it’s easy enough to divert onto an alternative path if needs be.) It means my dog can accompany me off the lead, and I do enjoy her coming along. 😀🐕❤️
I don’t really know why you guys needed to know all this. I guess it’s because I like writing down my ideas, plus I don’t want to let you down, so I’ll feel accountable. 😀
Happy running with Gareth if he’s with you guys! 🏃♀️❤️🏃♂️
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cheekychipmunks
Graduate10
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Good post from you cheeky, that is a very good plan and route for your 10K next week, by the way, next week after a few more rainy days this week, the weather is to settle down to be nice and sunny. 😊
You’re so good going out in this weather! I’m arguing with myself at the moment as to whether it’s ok enough to run outside or go on the treadmill at the gym...decisions...decisions...
I’ve decided, categorically, that I’d rather run in any weather than run on the treadmill. It’s the heat ... and the boredom! I only use it if the weather is truly torrential or icy. Today’s was strangely pleasant! Go on TC, give it a whirl! 😀😀
In a strangely, totally masochistic fit of nutterdom, I ran for 83 minutes on the treadmill 😱. I will post about it probably so I can share the trauma 🤭. Next time, I’m going out in the wind and rain 😂
You are good Cheeky! Im just waiting for Gareth to bugger off. He's getting his coat on and is halfway out the door. Go Gareth, you've outstayed your welcome!
Thanks Cheeky, he's finally got the message. Just a stiff breeze now - funny how it gets stiffer the moment you start to run! Still, job done - you inspired me!
He's a boxer. Our last one had bags of energy so this one should love running. But it's going to take a while - I might start him on C25K when the time comes! 🐕
Oh my word, you need to post a pic! 😍😍❤️❤️ Boxers are adorable and although I’ve never owned one I know a family who had a puppy who was bags of fun! ❤️❤️
Good idea with C25K. Little stints of running will help him get the idea of what’s going on. 😀🏃♀️🐕
Well done cheeky! Great that you have a multi option common to run on - keep it all in the mix Good luck and hope the weather stays dry! Love that you are slaying gremlins to!
It’s a revelation Alison. I’ve lived here for 12 years and I’ve always walked my dogs up there, but I only began running on it a short time ago. It used to look daunting with all its hills and differing terrain. But now I have trail shoes and have tackled bigger hills, it feels fantastic running there! 👍🏃♀️
And yes, those gremlins left with a whimper having tried to get their grimy little claws into me. Not today guys, sorry! 😈😈🏃♀️🏃♀️👍👍
Welcome back! 💨 ☔️ of course we need to know 😃 sounds like a brilliant plan! And your dog will be most happy 🐕 I ran with Gareth this morning and he was not kind with a tail wind so I went into the little forest area and ran 4 of the 5k in there going round and round in a 1/2k circle ... where there’s a will there’s a way 👍🏻🤣🤣
That’s the way, Bridget. 👊😀 Us runners do what we’ve gotta do! 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
Yes, not quite so pleasant here as in sunny Tenerife. I’m trying not to remember how hot I was just a couple of days ago .... oh well! ☀️☀️☀️☀️/💨 💨 💦 💦
Thanks Jonathan, I’m looking forward to a fun 10k. My first and third were 3 circuits of my regular route - nice, but gets a bit samey after 5k. My second 10k was an out and back along a pretty tow path, but not that inspiring knowing I had to retrace my footsteps! I’m not fast, so I need to keep it interesting as I’m out there for quite a while! 😅
Well done, cheekster! Gareth has been a very bad guest so far, I didn't honour today because of him, but I'm going out tomorrow! I'm pioneering a new route, but the problem is, I don't know how long it is so I might have to have some walk breaks... something tells me it's further than 6k...
Not a bad plan giving this weekend a miss though ..... 💦💦💨💨💦💦💨💨 I’ll be doing parkrun on Saturday and hoping more than anything that there’s no headwind up the hill. Otherwise I’ll be rooted to the spot! 🏃♀️🐌💨🏃♀️🐌💨😅
Glad to have you back on the island CC, raring to go with a cunning plan for your next 10k. The terrain sound lovely. I would love to take our dog with me, but I know that there are too many distractions (people wanting to give her a stroke!) .... she is a total floozey and would go off with anyone for a cuddle and a dog biscuit! ...if it were chocolate brownie I would understand! It is really blowy up here this morning...could be the back end of Gareth(!!!) but I am determined to fit in my 5.5k today so that I can tell the physio that I have done my homework. Calves feel ok, touch wood, I just hope yesterday's fin session in the swimming baths hasn't undone the good work. Only one way to find out!Do what you did and get out there 😊😊
Hi BC, thanks - it’s great to be back (said no-one ever! 😅😅💦💦💨💨)
Yes, get on out there! It’s strangely exhilarating, although I have to say it’s windier here today than yesterday - and apparently this isn’t even Gareth. I think we’re due for some nice benign spring weather now. Please ...... !
Of course we want to know. It's a learning curve for all of us so we want to know how others keep at it and succeed. Helps us plan our success, but also goads us on. If you can do it then I can do it. If I can do it then you can do it. I wouldn't have made this journey without you lot. I can't tell you how bored my non-running friends are with my new running obsession, although I think they find the Lycra amusing 😀
Ahhh thanks Baddie - it’s just that I always seem to be posting and others don’t! I’m glad I’m not boring the pants off all of you! 😅😅
You’re right though, VRBs have motivated me to try more on many occasion, and my non-running friends simply glaze over when I start on about what I’ve achieved/hope to achieve! 💤💤💤💤😅😅😅😅
So I had NO intention of running today in this howling gale, but following your post, and Flick mentioning she had FUN running in the windy weather off I went. I only had to do a 2km warm up and then 4 or 5 intervals up my chosen steep bit of hill. All over in 40 mins and showered and back on track. The weather wasn't even that bad once I got out there, I didn't get wet, I didn't get cold, I just got pink and fitter! Thank you for your post 😁
Fantastic Baddie! I’m so glad my post was helpful (I often wonder if I waffle on too frequently or for too long!)
I think we just need to get out and give it a go as long as it’s safe to do so. Basically any weather except totally torrential rain or ice - whatever it takes to avoid the treadmill! 😅
Sounds like a great plan Cheeky. Much better to go for a memorable 10k than grinding out your usual route. Look forward to hearing all about it 🏃♀️😃 Inspired by you, I battled the wind today (although nice sunshine) to do 8k, acutely aware it’s only just over 3 weeks to my 10k race. Felt as though I wasn’t actually moving forward at one point 😫 Roll on Spring 🌱🌷
Oh well done Sandie! 👏👏👏 I’m happy I inspired you and others to give it a go! I was pleasantly surprised what fun it was and now I can’t wait for my 10k next week. Maybe a tad less wind would be nice! 😀
Parkrun looks very windy here tomorrow. Me, a headwind and our hill will bring out my herd of snails I fear! 🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌
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Good luck and hope the weather stays dry! Love that you are slaying gremlins to! 
week3run1 ✅. 3 x 17 mins with 1 min walks. 
How did your parkrun or (not)parkrun go?
