Not Running – A Tale of Two Aqueducts and a Castle

[Birdlady64]

This year has been stop start in terms of running for various reasons. I’m in a stop phase and suffering with my lower back.

I’m going away in 2 weeks, I can’t find an appointment with an osteopath, so maybe chiropractic can help ease things? The second session and my back is in spasm for a whole weekend.

Thankfully I find a last-minute cancellation with the osteopath in the village who gets me a little more mobile, gives me a couple of recommendations in North Wales – just in case - and we leave for Llangollen as planned.

I had mapped out several run routes before leaving home – I was going to get up early and run across the Pontcysllte Aqueduct and back along the Llangollen Canal - needless to say, that’s not going to happen. I’m struggling to string a 3km walk together let alone a 5km run.

So yesterday we walked across the Aqueduct at Pontcysyllyte and along the canal for a bit. It was very high, very narrow and very windy. And very beautiful.

Then we went to Chirk Aqueduct and had a short walk there – for purposes of comparison. It was much lower, much wider and less windy. And also very beautiful. Oddly I felt slightly vertiginous walking across here for some reason.

Today I availed myself of one of the "just in case" contacts. They’re based in Conwy – but it will be a day out. Application of pressure to various points and massage of the glute muscles brings increasing mobility throughout the session. Hopefully the acupuncture will help too.

Walking around Conwy afterwards things feel much easier. A chicken panini for lunch sitting on the wall by the Quay in heavy drizzle. We buy a 2 kilo bag of mussels. Then its triple chocolate ice cream for pudding. The castle, only seen from the outside, is ridiculously impressive and totally dominates the small town.

Back at the cottage, mussels scrubbed, cold beer poured the back feels easier but my glute is starting to scream at me a bit.

I really wanted to run here. We’re moving on tomorrow for a week on Llŷn Peninsula. I have my kit with me so let’s see but it's a distant hope if I'm honest. In the meantime, I’ll carry on with the gentle walks – and enjoying being outside in our wondrous countryside.

Happy running all.

[Fionamags Graduate10]

Sorry to hear about your back pain - that's a real shame when you were looking forwards to holiday runs. Well done for staying on your feet and getting walks in. It does look really beautiful.I hope your back eases enough for you to get a run in by the end of your hols.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Fionamags]

Thanks. Just really frustrating. Hopefully on the upward curve now

[dijep Graduate10]

Lovely photos and a lovely area for a holiday. I stayed with my campervan at Chirk a few years ago, the aqueduct and canal tunnel are both very impressive. Sorry too hear about your back pain but it sounds like your holiday treatment session may have helped.

🤞 You get to do a holiday run.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to dijep]

It's certainly a lovely part of the country. Frustrating as I wish I could do more but is better than not working but being at home

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

So sorry to hear about your back ! I really hope you can get it sorted soon.

You were not far from me at the Chirk aquaduct , I used it on a 10k run from England to wales and back some time ago

.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

Oh yes I remember. Its certainly a lovely area

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

One end in Wales, the other jn England. But what about the bit in the middle - is that no man's land?Did you run through the tunnel?

[Instructor57 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Bit in the middle ??No, I actually turned around at the tunnel, it was during lockdown so I thought I better not go any further 😁

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

At one end of the Aqueduct it says welcome to England then right at the other it says Welcome to Wales so the Aqueduct between the two signs must be in no man's land We were told about s McDonald's somewhere where the border runs right thru the middle of the restaurant. Mad

[Instructor57 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Ahh yes your right, it does ! 😁I don't go in McDonald's though 🤣

[skysue16 Graduate10]

Great photos, love North Wales - beautiful views, great walks. Sorry to hear about your back, I do hope it improves.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to skysue16]

Thanks. I'm enjoying the break even though I can't run

[acountrycabbage 60minGraduate]

Sorry to hear you didn’t manage a run BirdLady 😔 Hope you can enjoy the chance to take in the gorgeous views at the more leisurely pace for the time being.

Mussels, beer and ice cream sound good for the soul! 😋

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to acountrycabbage]

Oh yes. Good for the soul, but not my waistline especially when not really exercising. 😋

[grumpyoldgirl]

Oh I'm so sorry you aren't able to run there. Mind you, when I crossed the Pontcysyllte aqueduct I was practically crawling on hands and knees I felt such bad vertigo. Absolutely beautiful as you say. If you are interested in gardens, Bodnant is stunning.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

Yes Bodnant is somewhere I've wanted to go for ages.I was more worried looking at Pontcysyllyte online. When I actually got there it was totally fine

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

We visited Gardd Bodnant on the way back from Pen Llŷn back in July. It's a really large site and we only saw the upper parts of it in the time we had. Parts of it are quite steep.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Yes. One for another day maybe. I believe you can actually stay on the Bodnant Estate

[Frenc Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Ah that’s a shame about your back, I am sorry. Your walks sound wonderful and very atmospheric, I could almost be there! Wonderful photos 😊😊😊.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Frenc]

Thanks FrencAm still enjoying the break despite not running. Hopeful the back is on the mend 🤞

[Jools2020 Graduate10]

So sorry about your stop phase! It does look lovely there and it’s good, at least, that you are able to enjoy some walks. Hope it’s not too long before you are pain free and can run again.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

Ah thanks Julia.Seems like more stops than starts this year.

It's certainly a lovely part of the world here and I'm enjoying the short gentle walks and the change of scenery is good for the soul

[Hidden]

The lady's got good taste, and you even braved the aqueduct... BRAVO ! It's magical add a little gust of wind and it becomes exhilarating ☺️.

If you're doing bodnant you'll love it, went there back when I was in horticultural college the laburnum arch is brilliant

nationaltrust.org.uk/bodnan...

And as for the giant redwoods you'll crick your neck looking up be warned

redwoodworld.co.uk/picturep...

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Hidden I always knew I was a lady of taste!😁I kept an eye out for you over the Aqueduct, but no sign ☹ It was certainly something to behold, an amazing feat of engineering. And what a beautiful part of the world you are blessed to have on your doorstep!

Bodnant looks amazing but will be saved for another day when I can explore properly.

[Raisemeup 60minGraduate]

Hi Birdlady, sorry to hear your back pain is persisting but well done for going on the lovely holiday we see from those photos.Lower backs are always temperamental, sometimes behaving and others definitely complaining. I have an arthritic problem in that area, but touching wood, running has helped. It's not easy to get to see an Osteopath at the moment, but hopefully you will soon, as I think having regular support with a bad back seems to assist in addition to the actual treatment.

Carry on enjoying your lovely holiday and hopefully you will feel refreshed by the time you're home again.

Best wishes ☺️

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Raisemeup]

Oddly I've never had an issue with my back when running. I'm convinced the chiropractic made it much worse.Then osteopath yesterday was very good just a shame logistics mean I probably can't see him again

I can't run but I can still walk so count my blessings and will continue to enjoy this beautiful country

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Oh that feels very unfair, such beautiful countryside and being in pain, obviously you are enjoying being away and sharing the wonder of your views with us, let’s hope you continue to heal

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Yes it's very disappointing but one of those things. Probably just as well our trip to Madagadcar got cancelled so we are here instead.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Birdlady64]

Probably, but oh wouldn’t it be so good to be able to get on a plane and just go away? my boss went for a few days to Malta and had a lovely time but the paperwork and extra tests made the process of travelling less enjoyable Enjoy the rest of your trip and i hope you are soon pain free

[Roxdog Graduate10]

Sorry to hear you've been suffering. I hope you're recovering OK. After so many injuries, I've stopped getting discouraged and find I can come back and pick up running again. It's quite a revelation! I hope you aren't discouraged. My motto now is, just have a rest, get whatever advice or treatment you need and you will be back running!

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Roxdog]

Hi Roxdog Great to hear from you and thanks for replying

I just read your post - it's wonderful to hear you are running again. I hope you have recovered from your fall.

I've been getting quite despondent lately and wondering if I will even be able to run again once my back eventually ddecides to allows me. But you are an inspiration and have given me hope for a positive outcome.

[Roxdog Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Even if you have to have a longish break to recover, you will be back! I had a 5 month break and restarted - it was fine! No, I'm not running 10ks again yet, but so what! I hope you are better soon.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Roxdog]

Thank so much 🙏