0830am
If trainers could speak ( I'm sure they do), I think the chatter today went something like.....
" Eh up that weather looks kinda manky" chirp up the adrenalines nudging the ghosts.....
"Hmmmm you're not wrong, it looks pretty rotten, those puddles will be like lakes" reply the ghosts.
Combined sniggers from them both looking down at the cascadias.
No reply from the cascadias, just a smug a silence, they know this is their day, perfect muddy, puddle strewn trails......
09.30am
Stretches done,and breakfasted, I grab my brooks cascadia, perhaps a light rain jacket, not that it keeps much water out 🙄 but it's a layer against the cold of the morning 👍.
The rain falling steadily, it's ok cooling and no risk of overheating. I'd planned my route for a mix of some road work, leading to trails and finally bringing me home along the towpath, and one final lane... Route sorted. Breathing is easier now I've acclimatised to the cooler season. The maint advantage of the Welsh lockdown is being able to safely run on the road, I only do this though simply to escape the hedges that have strayed across the width of the pavement.
The cascadias don't mind some tarmac running, they're definitely better on the loose stuff and the bounce isn't like it is in the ghosts or adrenalines but, they're still a comfy run👍 ( and glad to be off the shoe rack).
Running is still easy, the only hill that's probably noticeable on today's run at about 3k isn't a real effort.... Hills 💪👍 I'm seeing the benefits that steeper hill work gives you back 🙂.
Under the single track bridge and I head into the country park, passing one totally weatherproof dog walker, cheery mutual greetings and even his damp spaniel looked happy ( mine will get a walk later, promise).
The park is Soooo silent, pretty much void of visitors only one pair of walkers both is wellies, very sensible 💡, but the cascadias are in their element this is their thing, mud, puddles bring it on, ok they may let water in but!!! It comes straight back out no sloshing around my toes thankfully.
As you know I love nothing more that this naked running👍 minimal clutter, if I'd had tunes banging and bombarding my ear drums I'd have missed that noise, and it's incredible, the raw intensity of the River today, the other day it was relatively calm, bit the rainfall has transformed it. It's angry and surging. The current throws up white foamy 🌊, and if you wanted to let your mind wander and stare long enough, they're like prancing white palomino stallions that gallop momentarily before being swallowed by the chasing waves. It's quite hypnotic 🙂, and no, no picture, phone safely in food bag in pocket to waterproof it..... The trail follows the river through a woodland trail, until those chuffin steps 🥵 (strava named " the stairway to heaven" the wooden step edges slippery yikes.....
To head for home wouldn't be quite enough today, so it's a quick klm along the towpath, passing to more exceptionally cheerful dog walkers and A very quick MTB rider, the sound of his tyres rasping through off the soaking towpath, my footsteps are almost melodic as they hit puddles and mud, I reach my bridge where I'm off the canal path, on to lanes. It's a nice flat stretch, looking across the valley to where my home hillside just seemingly climbs out of the ground. The last klm gently rises and 11k is for today plenty and I can't get any wetter🙂.
I'm with you Roxdog this Running in the rain it's just simply wonderful 👍.
Enjoy your runs people whatever the weather just stay safe And healthy 👍👍
Running in the rain 😁🌨
Running in the rain with glasses!
I'm running in the rain, just running in the rain...
Fabulous450 Running With The Wind (& Rain) 🌬 🏃🏽♀️ 🌧 ❤️
