A Whole Run

[Birdlady64]

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.😋

[Hidden]

Wow. What a stunning photo Birdlady. You really happened to be in the right place at the right time to capture that. Your run sounds as lovely as your photograph. 😊

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. It was a really enjoyable run this morning. I loved being out in the cool fresh air and the sunlight was wonderful.

[Blossom- 60minGraduate]

Ooh sprouted porridge sounds interesting. Yes I like Messrs Bennett & Puddicombe too. Sounds like just the sort of run to do you good😄

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Blossom-]

Yes it was a good run for me this morning. Just what I needed to cheer me up and set me up for the rest of the day.

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

This is a run I intend to do soon !

I'm a big fan of Andy P. And have used many of his mindfulness meditations .

Well done 👍

To run free of tech is becoming more and more appealing to me .

I also like the sound of sprouted porridge 😁😋

I often soak oats overnight but not had sprouted , that's definitely one to add to my list 😁

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

Yes - you must try this one and you need to do it without music. I'll definitely use it again.

As I said to Jools, the porridge was a box from Rude Health. It wasn't cheap, but I was intrigued and wanted to try it. You can probably make your own - I think you need hulless oats (or oat groats) and then I assume you sprout them in the same way you would any other seeds.

Think risotto more than Ready Brek! 😁

[Instructor57 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Yes I will try the run !

I'm into fermentation of foods and would certainly try sprouting my own oats 🙂👍

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

Yes - go for it. I'm sure you can find instructions or something on google. Let me know how it goes if you do try it

[Instructor57 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Probably in one of the books I have on fermentation of foods 🙂

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

I found this

nouveauraw.com/reference-li....

[Instructor57 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Oooh thank you 👍

[dijep Graduate10]

I'm adding my voice to those above liking the sound of sprouted porridge 😋

I feel like I've run along side you with your description and your amazing picture. I think we all need to just run without any goals sometimes.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to dijep]

Thanks! It was liberating to run like that.

I was just lucky to catch the light like that - a couple of minutes earlier or later and it would have been totally different.

If you dont want to have a go at sprouting your own hulless oats Rude Health sell sprouted porridge oats

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Love the photo, the run sounds lovely too

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks! Yes it was a good one. I really liked running in the cold air this morning.

[Jools2020 Graduate10]

That sounds like a lovely run and a great photo, too. I’ve used that NRC run, and loved it as well. Well done! Thanking about doing a guided run tomorrow, if I run. I’ve not been doing so well, so I’ll see how I feel in the morning. Sprouted porridge ? Haven’t heard of that!

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

This one was a box from Rude Health. It wasn't cheap, but I was intrigued and wanted to try it. You can probably make your own - I think you need hulless oats (or oat groats) and then I assume you sprout them in the same way you would any other seeds.

Hope you feel better tomorrow

[nowster Graduate10]

Great "relaxed" run. Interesting light in that photo.

PS. The optimum photo size for this site appears to be 702 x 630 pixels.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

I just quickly cropped it to improve the framing and posted without thinking about it. Does this one suit better sir?

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Ooh! Much more detail, and shows the sunbeams off well.

[Lizcanrun Graduate10]

Sounds amazing! Going to look up sprouted porridge - I'm sure the image I have in my head is wrong!

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Lizcanrun]

Or maybe not....

[Lizcanrun Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

😂😂😂

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Lizcanrun]

It was more like a dry risotto than Ready Brek. I did it in the microwave due to time pressure, but would be much better cooked on the hob in a saucepan.

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Malted oats?

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Not malted. I think you need whole hulless oats - or oat groats

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

I didn't mean with added sprouted barley extract.

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Beautiful picture birdlady , it looks like an enchanted forest. I was in my thicker long sleeve running top this morning which was great for the run Into the easterly wind but I was quite warm in the sun with the wind on my back. Fortunately it’s got a zip so I could let a bit of cool air in.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Yes I undid the zip on my top as well. Plus the thumbs came out of the thumbholes so I could push the sleeves up a bit too.

We didn't have much wind here so I don't know how the kit would stand up to that

I was lucky to be passing that spot at just the right moment - it was beautiful

[Roxdog Graduate10]

That sounds like a lovely, laid back, run. These cold mornings are a bit of a shock, but sounds like you were sensible with the clothing!

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Roxdog]

Yes! That is exactly what it was. And totally enjoyable it was too. I think I like running in this cooler weather ❄😀

[Birdlady64 Graduate10]

Yes! That is exactly what it was. And totally enjoyable it was too. I think I like running in this cooler weather ❄😀

[Couchphoenix Graduate10]

Sounds like you really enjoyed that run, it’s nice to relax and run because you can, I enjoy the NRC Head Space Runs a nice distraction as you clock up the miles. Try A Run With Paula (Paula Radcliffe) it’s a really good one, I did it on Wednesday 👍

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Couchphoenix]

Yes- I really did enjoy it and it set me up for the day nicely.

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll give that one a go. 👍

[CBDB Graduate10]

That run sounds and looks gorgeous! Fabulous! (I have runner’s envy... ) 👍🏽😀

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

😁👌👍

It was totally gorgeous

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10]

What a gorgeous picture and a perfect run (minus the little land shark). Running without stats or a game plan is just what is needed sometimes.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to SaskAlliecat]

It had its beady eye on me from way off and I could feel it watching me after I had gone past!

The tech is great but I'm sure too much watch watching during a run raises my stress levels and therefore my heart rate.

It's good to ignore it sometimes

[Cowladyrunning Graduate10]

Love the photo and sounds a great run. I have used that guided run too, it's good!

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Cowladyrunning]

Thank you! Yes I will probably use that one again for a nice relaxed run

[9weeks2Run Graduate10]

What a beautiful photograph. Well done Birdlady on your run sounded lovely and so nice to have a break from the tech and the watch checking and just enjoy the run.

Sprouted porridge sounds interesting!!

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to 9weeks2Run]

Thank you! It was a lovely relaxed run and I was just lucky to be in the right spot at the right time.

[9weeks2Run Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Glad you enjoyed your run. I went for a 5k run this morning was such a beautiful morning. Lots of people out running so lovely to see and be a runner!

[Blackberrypie Graduate10]

Beautiful day and sounds like a genuinely whole run!

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Blackberrypie]

Thank you! It was just what I needed after the emotional high of last Saturdays 10k.

long live running!

[Littleoyellow Graduate10]

Oh my goodness what a beautiful picture and sounds like your run was good for the soul! I haven't been eating porridge while on an extended weight loss journey but I think you've tempted me... 🥣😁

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Littleoyellow]

Thank you.I was fortunate to be passing that spot at just the right moment.

The temperature was a bit of a shock stepping outside but I soon warmed up. The run was wonderful and exactly what I needed.