A Sunday lunchtime run

[Ian5K]

I’m not keen on snow. People tell me it makes the scenery look pretty but I say, what’s it done to the wonderful colours of nature? Plus, in England, it tends to turn into great grey lumps and outstays its welcome along the edges of roads - right where I want to run.

Yesterday’s snow remained on the fields but by lunchtime today, the roads had got rid of most of it, so I togged up and went out for my run.

One thing in snow’s favour is it makes the countryside seem even quieter. It’s quite eerie in places. Up near the neolithic Hoar Stone, which I mentioned in C25k’s Roundup post, there’s a long plantation of trees on the other side of the road. As I ran past, a huge buzzard with wonderful broad wings flew out just above me and headed down the lane ahead. Silence. You could cut the ambience with a knife.

I had all my winter kit on today, taking no chances: the new Futakotamagawa beanie (from Contra, ethically made and all profits to Parkrun); my old faithful yankee fleece hoodie with hi-vis gilet over it; my new Decathlon tights and a pair of woollen gloves. Shoes and socks, it goes without saying, of course.

I’d recommend the beanie, just the right weight and thickness for exercising, and fits like the proverbial glove. It pulls nicely over the ears for comfort but my earphone, being a tiny bit chunky, was pushed further in and produced a heavy bass bias. I just had to turn the volume down and adjust to it. Great hat for about a tenner. 👍

The tights are great value for money too, although I felt a bit uneasy about lack of support in the gentleman’s region. I had to resort to wearing my regular undercrackers beneath them. This isn’t good for long runs as they could chaff something horrible so… I went shopping for some runners’ undies. (Yes, folks, there is such a thing as gentlemen runners’ undies! 😆) With luck, they should arrive tomorrow and be tested out on my Tuesday run.

Today’s scheduled run was 1km “Goal Pace” repeats - 5X, followed by 200m “Stride” repeats - 3X. In between all the repeats are little 200m slow jogs, and 10 minutes warm up and cool down sessions either end. It all took just over an hour and covered 10.6km. I felt I’d improved a bit on the last time I ran this type of workout. I really enjoyed doing it anyway.

Back home, it’s started to snow again and it’s still coming down! I replenish the bird feeders while my eggs boiled - post run egg mayo sarnie! Mmmmmm.

Happy running, folks! And take care on the ice and snow. 🙂

[Doris8 Graduate10]

Well done on your 10 km in cold and wintry conditions. Think you’ve had a bit more snow than us here. I can understand all the clobber you have to put on just to keep warm but it’s worth it. I don’t fancy your breakfast can’t eat eggs , but good for you full of protein, and the birds would be happy getting breakfast. Ours are on half board here always getting fed. 😀.

[Ian5K Graduate10 in reply to Doris8]

Thanks, Doris.

That was really my lunch but yes, a good source of protein. 🙂

[nowster Graduate10]

I got some "runners undies" during my visit to Decathlon a couple of weeks back.

decathlon.co.uk/p/kalenji-m...

Fit like a glove, keep the "family jewels" under control, and no VPL on the legs either.

[Ian5K Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Well, mine have arrived now - the proof of the pudding with be in the eating, tomorrow!

[Hidden]

I love snow, except when I or my folks have to drive through it. And as you say, when it turns to slush. Then it's just a muddy filthy thing. But when it is still fresh and you run through it, I find it turns the scenery in this magical thing. Good job on doing 10K in these circumstances!

[Ian5K Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I know, lots of people love it. 🙂