My last post "Muddy, murky Monday morning" was a very squelchy run, but a peek out of the window this morning indicated a very different story for today. Frost covered the garden and the driveway looked very slippery. My area of the South Downs has escaped any snowfall and has only become really cold over the past couple of days.
I skipped my run yesterday, as my bottom was still complaining after the squats my pilates instructor inflicted on us during our online class on Wednesday (and he said it was an easy session for the first one back 🤣). Instead I had two sessions of Adriene's Breath yoga to do, one as a catch up, so that gave some relief to my suffering glutes 😉.
I tend to procrastinate on cold mornings, trying to get my layers of clothing right. I decided against adding another layer but added an extra buff, wearing a fleecy one as a headband and another around my neck. I have fleecy lined leggings and they were perfect. One long sleeved thermal, my running jacket and all important gloves finished off the layers and I was ready for the off.
Today the ground was crunchy and frozen underfoot, the air very crisp and cold. I have to admit to shortening my warm up walk as it was having the opposite effect - I was getting so cold and I needed to run to warm up. I run mainly on woodland and heathland trails which link the local commons on the outskirts of our rural market town and nearby villages and hamlets. This means I can largely avoid roads and icy pavements. I had to double back and change my route this morning when I found a fallen tree blocking my path. I ducked underneath to run on, only to find a warning sign blocking my way further ahead with the path closed for tree-felling. 🤔 Surely the sign should have been before the tree?
My about turn meant I had to run on pavements for a short way after all before I could access the Common at a different point. The muddy trails of Monday had developed a crisp layer of frost which crunched satisfyingly underfoot. The ponds were frozen hard, the fan-like patterns of the ice, shiny and glossy black in the sunshine. I took tentative steps across the little wooden bridge, the fine layer of frost on the wooden planks indicating the need to be cautious so as not to slip into the ice on either side.
I hardly met a soul, just two fellow runners on my homeward stretch. Mr D-d also ran this morning, completing a brave 7k whilst I ran my slow and steady 4k. Having successfully negotiated our respective icy routes, we both arrived home in one piece.
After our daily dog walk is done I think today is a day for staying snug and warm indoors. Adriene's daily Yoga Breath has just dropped into my inbox, so I shall do that this afternoon and settle down in front of the fire to take advantage of my last work and volunteering free day before everything resumes next week.
Happy running everyone. Keep safe 😌
Week 3 ✅ Frosty Parkrun 
’Twas a cold and frosty morning…🥶🥶
Freezing cold and misty for this morning’s run
Fairy houses, frosty runs and hot playlists
Conquering the freezing sogginess outside
