I think I was fated to run this run today. When I set out this morning I had a rough route in mind for the second 55 minute run of the Magic Plan. I set off from home and ran into the little market town where I live and then out again towards the lovely woodlands and commons that are always the favourite part of my runs. Once into the woodland I planned to just loop around to use up my minutes before heading towards home.
I kept my pace slow to ensure I had the energy to complete the 55 minutes. Just before 4k I turned onto the woodland paths that I love and that gave me a new surge of energy. These undulating paths are such a wonderful place to run as they weave and wind between the trees. I had complete peace and quiet away from the road and the signal for BBC Sounds dips out here temporarily, so I was just aware of the rhythm of my feet and the natural sounds around me.
As I reached 45 minutes I came across a crop of blackberries in the hedgerow and paused to pick some - a very welcome and perfectly timed little snack 😋.
At the top of my loop I turned towards home and I had a wonderful surprise. I met the lovely lady who about 18 months ago, during one of our dog walk conversations, put me in touch with the amazing therapist who helped me with my muscle inbalance problem, and without whom I certainly would not be running today. I haven't seen her during or since lockdown and she was so delighted to see me running, especially when I said I was coming towards the end of a 55 minute run. "Oh I won't hold you up!" We promised to walk and have a catch up chat together soon and I continued on.
Looking at my watch I had about 5 minutes of my run left and around a 10 minute plus walk home. I had plenty of energy still in my legs and I just thought, after my lovely surprise encounter, wouldn't this just be the right day to run my 60 minutes? It just seemed too much of a coincidence not to, so I did.
I hope I can be forgiven by my fellow forum members and VRBs for running my 60 minutes in week 7 of the plan. It felt the time was right. I promise to run week 8 proper next week. (The extra time at the end of my run was because I got side-tracked by a few more blackberries 🙄😋).
Right, I'm off to see if I can find out how to claim my Graduate60 badge 😊.....
Congratulations to you Delly- dot on running for 60 minutes, well done, to get your graduation badge and the word "60mingraduate" next to your username tell the administrators that you have ran for 60 minutes.
Oh Delly-dot that is a lovely post and brilliant you now get your 60 minute badge 😁 You have such lovely pics of your routes and sounds like you really enjoyed the run as much as the blackberries - Congratulations and a gold star for your post! ⭐
Yes thanks DD I have been having 'freedom runs' since getting to 60 mins, no times or distance goals which has been lovely 😊 however have signed up to Ju-ju's group starting Sept and doing the distance this time round so I'm aiming for the 10k 😬. Are you now carrying on from where you are to go for the 10k?
Sooooooo pleased for you DD. Sounds like a fairy tale run even down to meeting the lovely lady who gave you the key to running again. Congratulations on getting your 60 minute badge. Excellent news.
Wow! It all just felt right for you today so why not break out of the plan! I love your woodland trail, just the sort of place to run that I like and it gives you a surge of energy when you wend your way through those paths doesn't it!
I love the blackberry pause, that must have beem a joy.
Thank you Roxdog. I'm learning to go with the flow and do what feels good (a little like Adriene and her yoga), but I promise not to break any rules.
I thought I had replied to your post yesterday but it's not there .....🤔? It'll be me, replying using my iPhone and not getting it quite right again 🙄.
Like you, I also noticed a lack of runners on my run today. It was so much quieter in that respect, but much busier in another - the traffic!! I have run a stretch of a local 'A' road a few times now since lockdown, but it was noticeably busier, noisier today and unfortunately I could really smell the car fumes this morning, which I haven't noticed before. I think I am going to avoid that part of the route from now on and find an alternative.
The blackberry pauses were timed to perfection 😋😉.
Yes, going with what feels good and right is my motto! Am trying to work out some vague idea of routes to get to that elusive 10k! Not quite ready to do it yet, but I have my eye on it! I'll see what feels right!
What a lovely post Delly-dot and congratulations on your 60 minutes 🎉💐🎊 It's funny how we meet people who have been significant to us in our journeys just at the right moment. As you say you were obviously destined to claim that 60 minute badge today. I'm so pleased for you, but also rather jealous of your lovely woods to run through 😊
Brilliant run Delly-dot and a full 60 minutes . I see you've already got your badge, it looks great you must be so chuffed. Congratulations 🏃♀️🏃♀️👏👏👏
Congratulations Delly!!! Sounds like things just dropped into place today with such a lovely run to boot. That's really well done reaching the 60 minutes in week 7. It's been a sure thing as you got those holiday runs in and we're enjoying the running so much. Keep eating those blackberries there obviously full of good stuff. And how lovely to meet the lady who set you on the right path. It was obviously meant to be.
Thank you Allbarron 😃! I think the holiday runs helped, although I've only run once since I've been home, apart from today. I really enjoyed tourist running and discovering new places.
Great run DellyD - you were ready for it and seized the moment - yay! Bkackberries are a bit later here as thete aren't many out yet. You have really put me in the mind firvsome now so I shall hopefully be doing a blackberry run of my own soon.
Enjoy the new badge - another cracking milestone!!!! 🥳💪🏅🏆🎊
I am very lucky to run where I do. Most of my runs are through the woodlands and onto the commons - it’s very forgiving on the joints and so much more interesting than roads and pavements.
Keep up with your runs, the pace will come with the more miles you put on your legs. My first 5k felt very elusive until roseabi shared a plan with myself and some others in the same position, and I haven’t looked back since.
Enjoy the runs. That realise the magic ingredient and everything else follows 😊.
Really well done DD. I’m hoping to try my long run of W7 on Tuesday after grandchildren gone home. I’m also hoping to find my blackberries ripened up on my journey. Your photos are so lovely it looks a great place to run. So relax into your new badge and enjoy being a 60 minute runner. 🏃♀️🏃♀️👏👏👏🏅🏅🏅🏅👍👍👍🌸🌸🌸🌸
Brilliant Hidden ! Both on your long run and on your lovely post.😀 What a great journey this running takes us on - and today was clearly meant to be your 60 minute day! Well done - and celebratory blackberries too! 🙂
Thank you 😊. Everything just seemed to fall into place and I felt very relaxed and happy running it. Hopefully it will help me as I strive for my 10k now 🤞🏼.
Well done. What a lovely run. Those woodland paths look really nice and wide. The bit of woodland I ran through yesterday is so narrow I have to watch out for the nettles and brambles waiting to attack 😏
The nettles seem to be springing up out of nowhere since the recent heavy rain. In a month or so they will be dying back and your paths will feel much wider 🌳 🌲😊.
Aww D-d, just catching up on the weekends posts, absolutely nothing to forgive, our plans are to help us not to boss us about 😘
what a lovely post and a very lovely run for you.
Congratulations on your 60minutes run, really pleased for you 🥂🥳💐😀🤗
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Thank you Mrs Jorge 😊. It was a really lovely run. I think it was my first proper experience of being “in the zone” that others speak about.
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Lovely, that’s just perfect for your first hour long run 🏃♀️🤗
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Finally completed a 60 minutes run!
Not 10k but my first 60 minute run ! 
60 minutes run!
60 minutes goal achieved!
