And follow where it leads me,
The trails are long,
The ways I know,
And all of Nature feeds me.
*********************
Ramble warning!!!!
Hello everyone. It's me.
The Blue period is going well.... shoes are working perfectly, a lot more people know I am Old Floss now and I am still following my own advice.
I was in Wales until today, and despite my run being rained/galed/hailed off on Thursday, I managed a glorious one on Friday.
I was not overly early getting out there, but it was still fairly quiet when I did. I was focused on completing my 3rd run of Week 6, Magic Plan. I have used this plan so many times, after illness or injury, since reaching my first 10K, way back, that I should know it by heart. It works. For me anyway.
9K was the target on Friday. The 9 K always makes me smile in this run up to 10K. When I was trying to reach 10K the first time... I did not have a Magic Plan. I just built up very, very slowly. I got to 9K and I stuck there ! Despite excellent support and advice I tried several times and each time, never quite got to the 10K!
Always so, so close... each time I would do a build up a short run, a longer 5K ish and then go for the 10.....eventually I was just so, so close, but still not quite there that a lovely friend on the forum , long since vanished, secan , just posted a reply that said, I had run this run so many times that he felt that I deserved to get the 10K badge!
I thought so too...but no, I had to do it... and eventually, alongside a whole load of folk at that time, I made the 10K in 1.17... (Five years ago)...which strangely, was the time that the majority of us at that time, did it in!
healthunlocked.com/couchto5......
But, as usual I am rambling on x
Back to Friday.
Blue clear sky and a chill in the air. I was togged up but had forgotten my gloves....I headed out and down the hill towards the next village. I was determined to see the daffodils that line the road to the village hall. They have stubbornly refused to flower for weeks and this week, almost blown over! I ran steadily and easily, no pushing and as usual taking everything in. The ladies- in-waiting have waited long enough and I saw several ewes with their lambs, many with twins!
They looked warmer than I felt, in their thick winter wardrobe, even the lambs in the sunshine, seemed cosy. The mountains in the distance, purple hazed and mist tipped, the trees, sky-stretched fingers, green tipped and the hedgerows beginning to buzz with life. My steps were light and I was focusing on quiet and even.
I passed a couple of early morning walkers and we exchanged greetings, and down the hill... up towards the village hall and a moving, photo shot of the daffodils.. on a tad further before the turn. Back down again and a detour along the road to the friendless Church,
A favourite spot for Mr. OF and I, for a walk or a cycle ride and a picnic 
There is the road, ( gated and not open to cars) and the field way... but I was on the road.
It was bliss.
Every step gives a breathtaking view, every turn, a new vista; sky, sea, fields and mountains and all the while, the square tower of the little church nestled into the landscape. I think as I am running, how blessed I am.... free to run, free to breathe, free to see and free just to live.
It is at moments like this, that my legs just run and I just let them. It feels like they are doing what they do and I am along for the ride, an onlooker on the world around me. I have to pause my pace and try to capture it.... impossible but I try... on for a Km more before a turn back...
The Ks are adding up and I know that by the time I return up the hill, I have only three more to do! Retracing my steps, the views are there but different. I was going to go over the fields, but the heavy rain of the day before had made the track very, very muddy, so that is one for another day.
Lifting and re-closing the gate, so heavy, a lady from the small terraced cottages shouts a good morning...I am getting to know so many folk around here now; they all seem to recognize this strange old lady in the most ridiculous leggings who regularly appears, in the most unexpected places. Back out and up the hill.... the first bit of which always feels steep, but in true Oldfloss form, I returned up the hill faster than I ran down it... up and up , past the ewes and lambs... glimpses of the sea and the promise of a terrific downhill to the sea.
Pausing briefly to breathe in the view, and down.... the shimmer, the sparkle, the odour of the ocean.... if that does not put Spring into the step, nothing will, but, I suddenly realised, I was beginning to tire, my feet slightly heavier and breathing harder.
About 1K to go...so, putting into practice some old and some new strategies, I lifted my head, I engaged my core, I tightened my glutes', ( thanks Bluebirdrunner ), I shortened my stride and I went faster! Yes you did read that correctly.... faster, me!
Just for a short while., but enough to move me through that tiredness... up the bottom of a short hill and then up, past the cafe, along Tanygrisiau Terrace, down towards the lifeboat station and a final burst along the Esplanade. Done!
My Garmin pinged... 9K completed. Job done.... and one extremely satisfied Old snail.
Strava said I had only done 8.45 K ! My Garmin said I had done 9K and a 10th lap started! It was 9K....!
It took me an hour an 1 minute. I am hopeful that over the last two weeks of JJMP, I will find that little bit extra... and make 10K in a reasonable time... but it matters not. I will get to 10K again and that, will be enough.
Happy, safe running everyone.
Oldfloss xx
Trail running debut must wait!
Gentlest of uber slow runs and I go and fall over! 🙄😅 🤦♀️ 
So glad I didn’t just turn over this morning!
