I had to make my route up as I ran this morning, which meant thinking on my feet, quite literally!
Mr D-d had his usual Sunday morning tennis session first thing, so I hopped into the car with him, as I often do on such mornings, and made the tennis club the starting point for my run. I had a vague plan of a route to take me home through the woods and across the heathland commons, knowing I needed to cover 6k this morning for the final run of week 2 on The Magic Plan.
It was very frosty and cold here this morning. My warm up walk was distinctly brisk and uphill, so I was ready to run by the time I’d reached the top, if only to maintain the heat I’d generated! My first 1k was along a stretch of main road. Later on, once I’d finished my run, I discovered that I’d run a 1k PB (6:49), which I am putting down to the cold and running on the road and being keen to get on the woodland trails instead!
I turned off the road just after 1k and headed up an incline to find that they had been clearing the invasive rhododendron from this area of the woodland and the ground was so churned up the path was impassable. I retraced my steps to scramble up the bank and picked my way through the debris to reconnect with the path a little further on. This really slowed me down, but I was happy to take my time to avoid another ankle twang.
Once back on the level I crossed the single track line and headed to one of my favourite stretches to run. The ground frost here lay thick on the grassy corridor between the tall pines (photo) and the sunlight caught it so beautifully that it was as though I was running on diamonds.
Turning a corner at the end of this path I ran back towards the lane, crossed over and ran the trails to the top of a small, a local beauty spot and view point, for a lovely view of the South Downs (photo). I stopped to share the view and chat with a couple and their very friendly dogs. From here it was a zig-zagging, looping run to avoid more rhododendron clearing works I finally met a few fellow runners here and more dog walkers. Some of them called out “hello” and asked where Isla was. I shall return to the woods with her for our dog walk as soon as I finish this post
There was no need for invention for the last 2k, with my route clear of diversions and I was able run pretty evenly the rest of the way towards home. Lovely stretches and a warm shower later I feel pleased with my 6k.
It feels good to be finally clocking up some longer runs and also a relief that my ankle is holding up. However I do feel like my muscles are tightening up between runs though, despite my post run stretches and dog walks, so I think it’s time to get my act together and properly commit to Adriene’s January yoga, even though I’m a month late ⏰ 🙊 I need it 🧘🏼♀️!
Sorry, this has turned into a long post!
Happy running and stretching everyone 😊
My first 6K and no gremlins
