Another short run... but noteworthy because it was done at 6am along forest tracks and trails, with a hangover, smoke-filled lungs and 4 hours sleep in a car.
It was a climbing weekend - I hadn’t planned on running although I did wear my running shoes, which is highly unusual, so I’m a bit suspicious of my subconscious.
I woke before 6am, sweaty, dry-mouthed and needing to pee, par for the course when car camping and partying. We had been up until 1.30am swinging on a rope in the woods so I was pretty bleary. I hadn’t bothered undress after a day of rock climbing... so once the shoes were on and I had padded to the loo and gulped a litre of water from the tap... I just started running. No phone, no water bottle, just me and Garmin.
It was gorgeous. So cool at that time in the morning. Some of the tracks are narrow and shaded by trees, other parts open into wide white paths and stunning views of woodland. It’s my favourite place to be in the world, I think - I have been climbing there for twenty years and running there was a new and welcome perspective. I am usually carrying a heavy 45l rucksack filled with ropes and gear and food and bottles of water on the walk in - it felt very free and light to be running along those same tracks in shorts and a bra top.
3km was enough. I doused myself in cold water under the tap and crawled back into the car to sleep like a (nicely tired) baby for another few hours, before another day of climbing with friends. Heaven👌