A bit of cross country running made a change.

I was a bit hesitant in agreeing to go for a run with one of our running group this morning as she had suggested her "cross country route". I had visions of the dreaded cross country runs we had to do at school. It was always cold, wet and totally miserable. Our teacher must have been suspicious of the number of notes from our parents stating various reasons why we should not do PE on those days. All forged of course!

Normally I tend to keep to footpaths, or if I am really adventurous, I run on grass (the bowling green or cricket pitch type!!! ). Cross country running is dangerously close to mud runs in my mind and that is something I am hoping to avoid.

At the beginning of my C25K, I foolishly agreed to join the wife of my husbands boss on a mud run when I could 'confidently' run 5K. At the time I thought I had a much chance of running confidently 5K as winning big on the lottery. How stupid was I?

After the school drop off, we did our warm up walk then about another 5 minutes of running before we got to the fields and woods. The pathway we went along is not exactly flat with small hills and dips which meant running in a straight line was impossible. It was quite enjoyable. We then got to the woods where it was a bit flatter and the ground much softer with the odd puddle to run around (I don't like getting my running shoes dirty).

Then down a slope and my friend just ran straight through the puddle at the bottom and up the other side. I had to stop, there was nowhere for me to run round and keep dry feet. I looked around and saw a path going into the trees that looked like it would get me around this relatively clean. I then heard "where the hell are you going?", and could see the puzzled look on my friends face. I eventually came out near her and carried on running. To my horror, I had to repeat my little diversions another few times much to my friends amusement.

I must admit, I enjoyed the run. I may even invest in some trail running shoes as my friend suggested, but not pink ones.

I am still going to avoid mud runs though, getting my feet muddy is one thing, getting caked head to toe in the stuff is a different matter.

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

Haha , good post !Sounds like a fun run 😁

I also nearly always run on roads with occasionall towpath .

I also don't like to get my running shoes dirty haha, even my trail shoes 😂

[Lifluf Graduate10]

I don't blame you for avoiding the puddles. Sometimes it's not possible but running with soggy feet us not nice!