Yaaaaaaaawnnnn and stretch is it morning already..... Where does that time go to 🤔. Do you go to bed thinking running, planning routes, guilty as charged. I was itching to get out this morning, having not run since last Thursdays HM, time out to rest up, and work family etc.... I was planning to venture out Sunday, but a niggly calf muscle ( due to slipping in the garden) put that run on the back burner (I've learnt if carrying a niggle don't do it, it isn't worth it rest up, it's a far better way).
And the urge to run wasn't helped any especially when I fell up on Tasha99 and her trail adventure post. That's me next week I thought, you lot should know by now, I've nearly learned to love those hills, that they are simply the best workout for running, but I cajole myself into liking them by mashing them up with the trails and woods, today that's exactly what I did and where I ventured. The ground a little more forgiving to see how the calf felt so a good plan..
So yes I new one for me I actually threw in some squats as nudged to by the fantastic, and groovy CBDB, those workouts are just spot on. You can feel the work instantly 👍.
So, check .
I'm awake-ish ✅
Breakfasted ✅
Clothes 🙈✅
Ah the clothes god you lot like details...
Bottom to top...
Brooks cascadia
Injinji toe socks
The trusty compression sleeves
Two in one leggings/shorts combo.
Tee-shirt over it light wind jacket.
And the buff hat, a fresh Mrs Wife haircut, means it's kinda chilly around the collar 😆.
That's me ready I'm off Running, come on off the sofa's you lot, sofa's are evil.....
The lane from imc50 towers is always a joy to run down, we drove along it 10 years ago, looking for our now current 🏡🙂.
The lane drops gradually down, when it ends and I've got a short run along the main road towards Llangollen, it's only a brief moment, and then the stile leading to the trail I want, appears on the other side of the road....
The trail is just what my calf muscles need to a little pampering, the last time I was here, it was brambles and nettles but now a far more welcoming route, the bracken has died back, and the trail is a soft carpet of leaves remnant's of acorns and twigs, covering the wet mud, the cascadias hold up well, given the gradient and the slippyness I feel assuredly safe, it's not by any means fast, it's nice relaxed and just as I hoped. There's the odd speck of rain, it's about 9 °c and filled with bird chatter, I shock a 🐿️ as he wanders onto my track, he scuttles hurriedly away. The trail calls for a little jeffing at the top as it's just too steep for my morning legs, I've learned jeffing is a runners friend, it's not a weakness, knowing Jeff and befriending him it pays dividends 👍.
The trail cuts back left and climbs again after first descending briefly, then it just climbs, a stream forms a gulley in the trails center, it's easier to run through it as the trail slopes on the sides, muddy and very stony. The height and the climb sneaks up on you, it's only looking back down behind me seeing the aqueduct looking very small you realize the steepness of the trail.. it's a leg burner in parts!
It crosse the road and continues upwards. Where it ends by a small stable yard.
The running is into the twisting lanes above my house, it almost spirals around in a series of corners until rejoining the village road, passing one of the old lime stone quarries.
I'd a plan albeit a loosely knitted one, that a 5k today would suffice, whoops, I'd hit that a while back. I followed the lanes away from Chirk castle, and headed to the marina. The lane falls down and slope's by the copper roofed house, it always amazes me how it changes colour almost daily 👍. Ahhh the lane leads me onto the towpath, I'd figured a quick loop back and onto the main road footpath would bring up 10k , plenty for today, best save a little energy for work 🥳... And and it's week 2 of the roseabi winter speed challenge ( have you signed up? It's totally free 👍 bags of fun and gives you that drive to shake off winter ❄️)
So get off those sofa's you're missing out on stuff like I enjoyed today!
Happy running folks stay safe stay healthy
It was ‘warm’ this morning 
A March PhotoQuest: An uphill challenge!
