9K walk

Hiya,

After a couple of days of doing nothing (an ache to the lower leg, tiredness, not in the mood), I read several posts on the Facebook community of the Conquerer Challenges and I felt ashamed. There are so many people on there who suffer and who have troubles walking even 1 mile and there I was feeling pity for myself just because I 'suffer' from tiredness (due to my RA). Pathetic. So on Saturday I kicked myself in the butt and crawled on my treadmill to walk 3 km.

And yesterday (Sunday) my mom and I went outside to do a walk outdoors. We didn't really know where to go, but set off and decided to do part of my 10 km (about 5 to 6 km) running route, adding a route of 3 km which is inside the huge cemetery nearby. I ran that cemetery route on my own months ago and scared myself out of my wits because it was creepy. There is a part you run in between close woods without anyone around and only creaking trees around you. I wanted to show my mom that route, so we set off to do just that.

When we started, we noticed there were a LOT of people walking around. After some time we found out that there was an organized walking event which incorporated part of our route (and also in the cemetery). After about 3,5 km we reached the cemetery and followed the running route. Of course, nothing creepy about it because of the load of people walking there, the sun shining and the birds singing. It was a totally different world from when I did my run there.

We passed several ponds and in 1 pond there were LOADS of frogs croaking and singing. I had forgotten my camera, so I couldn't zoom in and see the frogs. I cursed myself for forgetting my camera when suddenly a heron flew down in the pond to go hunt the frogs. We waited there for a while, but the frogs alerted each other of the heron and all fell silent and the heron just stood there, waiting. In the end we continued our walk, leaving the heron and the frogs in their impasse.

The creepy part of the route was so busy and so sunny, again, it felt like a totally different world from when I was there and scared myself shitless and ran like the devil was behind me. Also here we passed a pond with croaking frogs as well as a pair of Egyptian Geese with 5 little ones. And again I cursed myself for having forgotten my camera.

Once out of the cemetery (we had reached nearly 7K at the moment) we continued back home and reached home after 9,02 km. A much longer walk than we had anticipated and much longer than was healthy for my body. Either way, this was another 9K ticked of for my LOTR challenge.

Unfortunately I had a slight ache in my right knee before the walk and I fear the walk aggravated it (despite not feeling the ache during the walk), because today my knee hurts a bit badly. Stairs are a curse and I am wondering whether I might best take a day off from walking and let the knee rest a bit. Argh, another hiccup in my walking adventure... There is always something, at least now it's not my own 'laziness' stopping me.

Cheers, Evy

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

It is amazing how different times of day or different light, etc can make an area look and feel creepy or just peaceful. If you're anything like me, then it’s probably our imagination. I can imagine all sorts and can scare myself easily if I really make an effort 🙄

Well done on the walk but boo to the sore knee. Perhaps a day of rest will help things settle down a bit. Fingers crossed 🤞

[Hidden in reply to Irishprincess]

It was a totally different place indeed, as if I stepped in another dimension. The first dimension was gloomy and clouded, no birds or frogs singing only branches creaking, nobody around just me and my imagination on a cemetery in a closed in forest. While yesterday the dimension was sunny, birds and frogs singing, loads of people walking on the same road and a general feeling of comfort. Really weird...

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Hey Evy, that was a long walk, no wonder your knee aches, but lovely to go to a place you were scared and see it in a different light

[Hidden in reply to SueAppleRun]

Yes, it was really weird. Now I was there with my mom so I wasn't alone, that is already a big difference. But it was like a totally different dimension! Really weird...

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Hidden]

Places can be scary on your own especially with gloomy weather

[Doris8 Graduate10]

Hi Evy good walk for you and your mum, 9 km a long way. Going passed cemeteries give me the creeps as well , don’t go there very often, it looked a lovely walk even better with company , and seeing nature at its best. I went a 10; km walk with MrD yesterday morning, ours was more pleasant, a lot of horses in fields our area. Hope your knee is ok well done 👍

[Hidden in reply to Doris8]

The cemetery is very well known for running and walking. Very big with lots of nature. But when it is gloomy and no other people around, it is creepy mostly because it is so deserted then. And deserted places give me the creeps.

Well done on your 10K, love seeing horses. Used to be a horse rider for 5 years, but I prefered taking care of them above riding them.

[Doris8 Graduate10]

Thanks. Yes lovely animals my fave’s. 🐎

[Fionamags Graduate10]

That sounded like a lovely walk with lots of wild life. I'm glad you revisited the scary spot - maybe you will be able to go for a run there again now you have seen it in a different light?Hope you knees behave.

[Hidden in reply to Fionamags]

Thanks, no running outside for the time being still. And I don't think I'll visit that scary spot on my own anymore. With other people tagging along, sure, lovely scenery! Alone? No hell way! 😂

[Fionamags Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

You got to do what makes you comfortable. 😄