Freedom!

[Banana12]

Home 14 days. Quarantine? Sorted.

Up at 5am as I’m still worried about people looking at me running and thinking...really?

But the world seemed to be conspiring against me. I usually get up and out before my husband surfaces, but he was up before I left. Are you running, he asked. I’m just going to have coffee he suggests. But I was strong, refused, and went downstairs to put shoes and Spotify on.

Shoes? Sorted.

Spotify? Noooo.

I’ve lost my playlist as I set it up in Portugal and as I’ve had 14 days in a ‘foreign’ country, my play list is no longer available. I live running to music. Should I just run to Nike? Decisions, decisions...and it’s not yet 6am. Too much for my old brain... what to do? A quick search of Spotify and I found a running playlist so out I went. My goodness it’s cold! Maybe I’ll put on a jumper next time.

I got my first ever UK 5k and at just over 33 mins I think I’ve not lost any fitness in the interim🥳 I’ll build up over the next few runs to 10k again.

But I went out largely because I’d told you all I would. Thanks for helping me stay honest to myself. Happy running peeps.

[sTrongFuse Graduate10]

I was going to say I'll keep my eye out for you, but if that's the time you typically run at, our paths are very unlikely to cross. I do recommend exploring round "Rapunzel's Tower" (aka Saltouhall Doocot) although it's a bit nettley there at the moment.

[Banana12 Graduate10 in reply to sTrongFuse]

I’m still a bit shy and rather my neighbours don’t see me. I know I’m being nuts. Maybe I’ll improve. It was just nowhere as busy in Portugal.

I’ve asked a couple of peeps here about the doocot, but it seems they don’t know if it either. Do you go through the arched entrance just after the wee bridge up from the Pencaitland terminus? I googled it and can see it’s an ancient monument.

I ran towards West Saltoun this morning, going round from there straight across the crossroads and up towards Strawberry Woods. I think it must be about 7k that way but I was happy with 5k, and walked the rest knowing I’ve got scope to push on further before I run out of road. I have found a 10k by going up towards Petersmuir, then towards Bolton. But I’ll save that for a wee while yet😁Many thanks for your suggestion I’ll keep on looking out for the path😉

[sTrongFuse Graduate10 in reply to Banana12]

I tend to do it from the other side, but instead of going under the arch, you take the dirt road immediately in front of it and head down towards the river

[Banana12 Graduate10 in reply to sTrongFuse]

This is brilliant. Many thanks sTrongFuse. I’ll try and walk there first with hubby and see if we can figure it out. Know the Kane to which you refer so I’ve got the starting point sorted. Appreciate your help.

[sTrongFuse Graduate10 in reply to Banana12]

We are fortunate to have so many trails (and a very convenient old railway path) pretty much right on our doorstep. If you ever feel like doing a half-marathon, I can confirm that running the full length of the railway path in both directions gets you the required distance...

[sTrongFuse Graduate10 in reply to Banana12]

Don't know if this helps: strava.com/activities/36841...

[Buddy34 Graduate10]

It must have felt great to get out after your 2 weeks of quarantine and a 5k in 33 minutes, brilliant. I don't think its cold I think you're to use to the lovely weather you had in Portugal 🤣🤣 .

[Fionamags Graduate10]

Welcome back and happy running!

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Fantastic effort get out after your quarantine period even battling through obstacles to get there. Great 5k, you'll be back to 10k before you know it. Happy running 🤗

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10]

What a shame about your play list B12 - will you be able to remember all the songs and make a new one?! But well done you on getting out into the cold(!) and congratulations on your first UK 5k! May you have many more! Check out ju-ju’s magic plan to get yourself up to 10k, you know you can do it!

[Banana12 Graduate10 in reply to Oldgirlruns]

I’m afraid the playlist has gone the way of the dodo. I’d built it into a four hour plus compilation too. Maybe it’ll be in Portugal waiting for me when we go back this winter Oldgirlruns.

I had bother again this morning and lost the Spotify run music a third into my run. But golly it is cold when you start out - but toasty hot on my return. Not sure what’s best. Wrap up for chilly wind or t shirt for when I’m hot and sticky after first k or so. I’ll keep trying various selections till I’m comfortable again.

Another 5 k this morning. I’d hoped for 6 but couldn’t find the extra needed to get me up the hill without my music. If music be the food if life...jog on😁. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll start to increase and get closer to hitting 10k my again.

Note to self...get busy building another running track on Spotify. (I’m only using the free version! But then...I’m Scottish...free is a mist favourite word😉)