I didn’t want to run this morning, but I missed my Thursday run because it was pouring with rain, and yesterday it was snowing here in the fens. So I forced myself to get ready to run; it was cold, so I put an extra tee shirt under my long sleeved top, long running tights and windproof jacket. Sun visor, of course! I picked my white one today as it was before dawn and I wanted to be visible. Checked in the mirror - yes, still gorgeous 😊 and off I go! Quick warm up walk down to the washes to grab a photo.
I had already decided on 8K as I have a very nice 8K circular route; but just to make things a little different I went anti clockwise instead of clockwise. I headed out of the village on the A1101. Interesting fact - it is the lowest road in the country - along its 53 miles it rarely rises above sea level. It was a busy low road this morning, but drivers were considerate and made room for me. I had company on the first part of my run - many hundreds of Whooper swans were taking to the fields, calling to each other as they flew. It was quite a sight! On a recent walk with a friend, we saw about a thousand of them a short distance away in a farmer’s field.
I wanted to run in Zone 3 this morning, so I did keep more of an eye on my watch. I had to pull back a few times, but pretty much kept to it apart from the last couple of kilometres when I like to speed up.
During my run, I listened to Coach Bennett being grateful. I didn’t actually feel very grateful when I set out, but he won me over during the course of the run!
I turn left onto a single track road with farmers’ fields on either side and pass isolated dwellings. I love this part of the route because it’s so rural. I don’t see anyone at all this morning and there is no traffic. It suits my mood. Coming out again onto the other main road into the village, I meet traffic again and have to stop to cross the road. My phone pings with a message. I feel momentary annoyance, and check that the message isn’t urgent. It’s from a friend, asking if I’m OK. This is a grateful run, so I think about being grateful that I have friends who care. I’ll answer her when I get home, she will guess I’m out on a run.
Coming back into the village now, I let myself speed up and go into Zone 4. I’m really enjoying this increase in pace! I start the last kilometre and it feels like I’m flying! I pass a neighbour out walking, another runner, and he steps to one side on the path to allow me plenty of room. He smiles in encouragement and I manage to gasp a ‘good morning’ to him. Definitely not ‘easy conversational pace’ right now! Another 200 metres and my run is over. I arrive back home to do my stretches and suddenly it starts pouring with rain. I remember to be grateful I arrived home just in time! 😊
1st 8k!!
