I made no plans for my run this morning, but getting out of bed I thought to myself "I don't want to focus on time, or pace today. I just want to run. And I just want a nice relaxed run. I can't face an interval workout or another long run just yet! "
I had the on-going clothing dilemma again this morning...
The thermometer on the back wall of the house was reading 4 degrees when I got up. 🥶 I've not run in the cold before, so had no idea what to expect. In the end I opted for tights, a long sleeved technical top with my usual T-shirt underneath, buff to keep my neck warm and sun visor. It felt really cold stepping out of the front door and I was worried I was underdressed. In the event I would probably have been fine in shorts and without the T-shirt underneath. I was glad I hadn't gone for gloves and hat as some websites had suggested. Thankfully most of the fog had already lifted and I could tell it was going to be a nice sunrise.
I didn't use any music but put on another Nike Run Club guided run - A Whole Run. This was a 45 minute run with Coach Bennett, of course, and Andy Puddicombe of Headspace who comes highly recommended by several others on here. This run was all about running with your mind actively engaged as well as your body - a whole run. I set this going on my warmup walk.
I decide to run part of my 10k route from Saturday and head down past the Rugby Club .
7 o'clock seems to be "dog o'clock" today🐕🐶🐕🦺🐩. There was an evil looking black and tan Dachshund that I'm sure would have gone for my ankles if it's owner hadn't had it on a lead.
Normally on this route at this time of day I see one, possibly two other runners. I must have passed 6 or 7 this morning and several people walking. Maybe lockdown means more people will be running again for the next month or so.
Reaching the Rugby Club the pitches were covered in a light frost. The early morning sun was filtering through the trees on the lane and I just had to stop and take a photograph. That was fine - there's no pressure on this run, I'm just running for the pure pleasure of running.
At that point I decided I would run 5k - I haven't logged a (not)parkrun for a couple of weeks now. Plus, although I did my 10k on Saturday, I still owe the final week of the Magic Plan a 5k run. I set off down the lane again and, missing out the Nature Reserve, I headed towards the (sadly now closed) Leisure Centre. Navigating around the locked gates, without thinking I threw in my usual circuit around the building and car parks.
I didn't look at my watch at all until I stopped it after reaching the 5k mark. I realised my (in hindsight unnecessary) Leisure Centre lap meant my run ended short of where I'd intended and had added an extra 0.5km to my walk back to the house. Never mind - it was a lovely morning to be out.
I said this run wasn't about the stats so I'm not even going to mention them. But I really enjoyed my run this morning - physically and mentally. It was a whole run.
Back home to water and stretches followed by coffee and a bowl of sprouted porridge. This is a new one one me, bit it was very nice - with a lovely flavour, creamy but with a nice nutty bite.😋
(not)parkrun 
