Some runs are best done in the dark 😅🙄

[Woollyweaver]

It was pitch dark when I set off for my run this morning. I ignored the howling wind and rain lashing against the windows, quickly put on my raincoat, switched on my headtorch and rushed out of the door before I could have doubts 🙄.

The weather really did its worst: horizontal snow as I ran up hill, turning to scalding ice ( ow 🥶) and then rain as I ran down the hill. All of the fields were gushing water and the streams were overflowing. I splashed through knee deep flood water and slid on sloppy mud as I kept my eyes firmly on the ground, only focussing on the small circle of light from my torch.

Having thought that I might just manage a quick 20 minute jog, just to say that I went out, I enjoyed myself so much that I repeated the circuit once more, this time in the light.

And I learnt one thing: a slightly mad, weather blown run by the light of a head torch is quite a cathartic and enjoyable experience. The same run in the grim light of day is another thing entirely - it is gruelling, cold and painful, especially when you can no longer feel your toes 😱!

But I don't half feel smug now that I am back home in the warm and dry with another 5k under my belt 😇

[dijep Graduate10]

Wow that sounds brutal weather but it sounds like you loved it ! Or perhaps you loved the first time round 😂 I've always fancied a run in the dark but haven't been brave enough yet.Enjoy you feeling of glory you deserve it👍😊

[Woollyweaver Graduate10 in reply to dijep]

Yes, it's funny but I really enjoyed myself in the dark. As soon as I could see what I was contending with it just felt grim - I've spent the day looking out of the window thinking 'yuck, who would choose to go out in that?!'

I do know what you mean about being brave enough to run in the dark - I only run around my neighbour's farm where I know I am alone, but I'm still easily spooked 👻

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

Enjoy your smugness, you’ve earned it!

[Hidden]

Oh wow! Just speechless. Huge huge credit for that effort.

[nowster Graduate10]

I have been out in the dark and rain, with the head torch reflecting back in my eyes from the raindrops. That was also my fastest 2 mile run for about a month. Something to do with the "blinkers" effect.

[Woollyweaver Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Yes, it's strange, isn't it? I definitely ran faster up the hills without being able to see how much further I had to go!

[Hidden]

Dangit, you cray cray! I would look outside and crawl back in bed! Hats of to you!

[Woollyweaver Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Ah, but it was dark, so I couldn't see it 😅. If it had been light I would definitely have crawled back under the covers in disgust!

[Frenc Graduate10 60minGraduate]

That sounds like great fun! I know what you mean about the cold light of day. When I’ve done a dark, early, cold and wet run, then I leave later for work, I always think, ‘I’d hate to run in this’ and then think ‘oh but you already did, it was just dark and you couldn’t see how bloomin’ awful it was!’ I do like the dark! Well done on your run 😊😊😊.

[StringsandKeys Graduate10]

Amazing job! I was due to go out in the driving rain and dark but couldn’t bring myself to do it before work the other day. Hats off to you for just getting out there!

[orangeguy Graduate10]

Well done, you deserve full credit for that . . . I was due to run yesterday morning and put it off until lunchtime when it had left off raining 😂😂😂

[Woollyweaver Graduate10 in reply to orangeguy]

Haha! The trick is not to look 😅

[Vragtes Graduate10]

……and then you woke up and found the duvet had fallen off the bed! Seriously, well done. More intrepid than me. 👍

[Woollyweaver Graduate10 in reply to Vragtes]

Tbh I'm not entirely sure I was fully awake (I am absolutely not a morning person) - maybe that's how I managed to do it 😵

[Hidden in reply to Woollyweaver]

🤣🤣😁

[Fionamags Graduate10]

That was simply awesome!

[sofaspud]

Amazing, WW - you're my hero!