A long run but not sure if it counts

A good day for running, quite bright, nice and cool, and not too much wind. And the best bit, all eight of our running group had been able to make it today.

We planned on doing a longish run today and were going to try a new route. Along one of the routes we have run there is a path that leads across some fields, and we have often seen runners and cyclists using it. We have looked on google Maps and it looked like it links up with another one of our regular running routes so we thought we would give that a try.

The ground along the bridle path is now like concrete but very uneven so we had to take that slowly as it would be very easy to twist an ankle on that. Once into the woods, the ground was still hard but less rutty. We crossed the bridge and out of the woods and then turned down the new path. With the open fields, the wind felt a bit colder, and it was not long before I heard a voice behind me say “I wish I had stopped to pee before leaving this morning”. Now that is something I never forget to do before I go for a run!

Ten minutes later the same voice made the same announcement, but now with a hint of panic. A suggestion that she could squat down next to the tree up ahead didn’t go down well as it was on a bit of a hill and she could be seen for miles.

Now I know I went before I left, and hadn’t drunk much of my water, but now I am thinking having a pee sounded a good idea, I was not at the panic stage, but definitely thought it would soon be a necessary event. Then another voice said “I think I need to go too”. That was it, our plan changed, sod the new route, find a toilet. A quick look on Google Maps and we could see that the other side of the woods up ahead was a car park, and we were sure there was a public toilet in it.

It was only another 10 minute run and we had reached the car park. I think the pace was a bit quicker than normal even though running and crossing your legs at the same time is not easy. Sure enough the toilet was there in a cloud of dust our lady in most distress dodged the cars to be first through the door only to emerge again and shout “HAS ANYONE GOT 20p?”. We all looked at each other with a vacant expression, who carries cash on a run?

There was a snack/drinks van at the far edge of the carpark and one of our group (who was not is desperate need) ran over to it. She seemed to be there for ages but came running back with a 20p coin which was snatched up and there was another cloud of dust towards the toilet. A few of us followed. The door was held open for the next one to rush in. If that door had of shut before we had all been, there could have been a murder on our hands.

Once the panic was over, it was announced that we had to go back to the van to buy something, that was the deal made. The guy takes contactless cards and so we can pay with our phones.

We went back to the van and the hot chocolate he was serving looked good. Eight hot chocolates and 8 snack bars were purchased, and with each one he presented us with a 20p coin and smiled.

We sat down, drank our drinks, and had a chat for quite some time. We then all spent out 20p and started on our run home. The first 10 minutes were hard, we had spent too long sitting down and our bodies thought the hard work was over. Eventually we go back into the swing of it and had an enjoyable run back.

We worked out we had run just over 17Km in total but with a 30 minute “Comfort” break in the middle so not sure if it counts as a long run.

When I got home, the first thing I needed to do was to let the chocolate out! I must be getting old.

I then remembered that when I first started secondary school, my Nan gave me a keyring that you could slot in a 10p coin. “It was for emergencies only”, I was told. “If you need to make a phone call, you will always have the money to do it.” Not that I would have been able to find a phone-box, or know how to use it, and besides, we had mobile phones then. But, it got me thinking, a keyring that holds a 20p coin may be a brilliant idea!!

[nowster Graduate10]

Of course it counts, even if you had the inconvenience of seeking out a public convenience.

Remember that even Paula Radcliffe has such problems.

[Vespina Graduate10]

What a brilliant post. Really made me laugh. I agree with Nowster, definitely counts as a long run.

One thing I can’t work out - how on earth can you be getting old if you had a mobile phone when you started secondary school?! I think it’s the power of suggestion more than anything else. Must ban people from talking about peeing. But at least you have located a toilet and some fantastic catering services.

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Vespina]

Back when I was at primary school, payphones had 2p and 5p slots. Others will remember button A and button B. 🤣

And it was common to give three rings to tell folks you'd got home safely. ☏

[Vespina Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Yep, three rings was definitely a thing.

It was 5p and then 10p for a phone call when I was growing up.

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Vespina]

That was the next step!

I've no idea what the minimum fee for a payphone is nowadays! There are so few about. Last I looked it was 40p.

[Instructor57 Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

I remember button A and B 😱

youtu.be/-JTEcC7XJY0(Not working as expected?)

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

I was on Shetland (commuting between Scalloway and Lerwick) in August 1994!

Papa Stour's telephone system at that time was unique in that it was implemented using a small business automatic switchboard (PABX) off the Walls/Sandness exchange. This meant you needed to dial a 9 to get off-island, and it was the only place in the UK where you had to dial 9-999 for the emergency services from a BT landline.

The exchanges on Shetland were (I believe) the last ones to be converted to digital.

In summer 1995 the whole of Shetland was isolated telephonically as the microwave links were subject to tropospheric ducting. The subsea cable had been ripped up by a trawler the previous autumn. Because operator services were handled in, IIRC, Dundee, calling 100 or 999 didn't work for a few hours. Luckily local calls still worked and most folks knew the number of the Gilbert Bain Hospital.

[Vespina Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Wow, interesting stuff. Fancy having to phone the hospital directly for emergency support.

Your post reminded me of an embarrassing moment. I used to work in an office where we had to dial 9 for an outside line. At home, I once accidentally added a 9 before my friend’s number which started 996. Was most confused and embarrassed when the person answered said “Emergency. Which service do you require?”

[SkiMonday Graduate10]

I agree with nowster , of course it counts! If I'm going for an early long run, I aim to get up at least two hours beforehand so that I can rehydrate and get rid of the excess before heading out.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

That’s a long way to run even with the break, glad you found that car park and when I was a child we carried four old pennies in case we needed to make a phone call and the toilets in town were a penny