running on very little sleep

[limberlou]

I’m a bit late writing up today’s run but it’s one I want to write about as it nearly didn’t happen. I went to bed at a sensible time last night- well hydrated and having eaten well and I had had a protein rich day yesterday. I knew my niece and partner were calling in this morning on their way through. They were off to a Surprise Baby Shower for her daughter (my great-niece - who is expecting my great great nephew at the end of the month). Good grief I feel old with all those greats !!!

Anyway with this in mind I had planned to bake yesterday as Gary is usually up for a baked good. But life got in the way and as the weather was good I spent most of the day trimming, repotting, taking cuttings and generally getting my garden ready for Autumn/ Winter, moving the more tender plants into the greenhouse or round behind it in a sheltered spot and planting bulbs ready for Spring. Then my daughter and her fella turned up and also my son so I downed tools and we sat, drank tea and soft drinks and nattered in the garden for a few hours in the really, by that time, hot sunshine. And no baking was done 😳

So I planned to run fairly early this morning and be back in time to bake before guests arrived. Not as early as I ended up running though. Some lovely person decided to walk down my street at 4.00am and clap their hands really loudly 3 times about every 4 steps. As everything else was very still and quiet it really echoed and woke me with a jump. Oh for a SuperSoaker handy…..🤬 I’ve no idea what their game was but once I was awake I’d slept enough not to be tired enough to drop off again and after an hour of fidgeting and muttering I got up at 5.00!!

I felt really light headed for a while so I made myself shredded wheat and a coffee and seethed for a while. Then I managed to talk myself into my running gear and sat for another half hour before I dragged myself out.

I knew I WANTED to run but I wasn’t actually sure if I would be ABLE to, on so little sleep so instead of planning to run a set distance I picked a Podcast by Dj Kinelis called Run to the Beat. Basically it’s quite uplifting music and he has made several running playlists and then had a break recovering from cancer and this was his comeback one. He says it’s especially good for running the last 2 hours of New York Marathon. Well I wasn’t intending on a marathon this morning I just wanted to run and see how far it took me.

The music is quite good as I sort of hum along in my head and zone out and my mind wandered about all over this morning. I thought originally even if I just do 20 mins I will feel better for it and I ran my usual trail and the river was really high this morning- it fills from a estuary so is tidal and there were hundreds of Canada Geese down there honking away and then 20 or so would take off honking away and fly further down and then land on the river. Then a few minutes later another batch would follow. It always amazes me how such big heavy birds can get up in the air and then fly - same as swans - they look too heavy to fly. And we have had several egrets in the river the last few years

And I saw 4 pairs of those too. As I ran along I was mulling back over this last week, the loss of the Queen, the new King, then I was thinking about some family issues that have been going on, then I was thinking what colour I was going to decorate the spare bedroom for when my grandson comes to stay, from Oz , in October/ November… then about the new baby about to join the family and all of a sudden I realised I had done the loop and was heading for home and nearly 5k. So I carried on, completed my 5k and came home feeling much better ( so much so that I had second breakfast after my shower)😂. It’s amazing how much better I felt

iI just goes to show that once you are out there you generally feel better it is just taking that first step out of the door.it’s the same with life really… a lot of the things we dread aren’t so bad once you have taken that first step.

Then I baked quiches, jam tarts, scones and coffee fairycakes and had a lovely visit with my niece and partner. And after they had gone I fell asleep for hour and a half and woke being snuggled by 3 lovely warm cats. Result!!!

Hope you all had great runs too today 💕

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

So annoying when something wakes you and can’t get back to sleep, the run though cleared your head and such a lovely description, all those birds, thoughts, scenery and home again ready for your day. The baking made my mouth water.

I’m glad you got out and had such a good day, and 3 snuggly cats 🐈 how lovely 😊

It’s been a strange few days but reading posts like yours brings normality back to the world knowing so many of us are out there running, it steadies things somehow

[limberlou Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Slept like a log last night even after the nana nap. there is always at least 1 out of 4 cats up for a snuggle here.😄 the baking is fine but now I am left with the rest of it and keep trawling past and just snagging a jam tart … or a little cake… my weight loss will come to an abrupt ending at this rate

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to limberlou]

That sounds delicious, I’ll have a jam tart please 😀

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate]

An early start! Then a run that gave you time to sort everything ( and I do mean everything), out!

This running is about so much more than runs isn't it?

Your trail run sounds wonderful with so much beauty and life to see there, all whilst your brain is organizing, sorting out, and planning!

After that start you were clearly, refreshed and recharged, body and soul...that baking blitz shows that!

Perfect. Well done you... ! x

[Dendev75 Graduate10]

lovely post to read, and you managed to get a great run in that busy weekend too 👍🏻

[CBDB Graduate10]

what a wonderful weekend, with exception of the night interruption. Gardening, you reminded me . Must get to that as well.

[limberlou Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

I’m procrastinating about painting a ceiling at the mo.. Its still too warm to even think about it yet it’s not getting done while I’m sitting here eating cake…😥

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

How lovely limberlou. I have the urge to drop by one day and taste all your lovely home baked. Have you considered entering the GB bake off?

I hate getting woken up with a jolt too, and it’s usually to individuals who have had a bit too much to drink, and are completely oblivious to the rest of the community tucked up in bed.

Sounds like a perfect run in the end though

[limberlou Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

drop by by all means 😄. Mind you my baking is brilliant when I just chuck it together for family or myself. If I do anything special for instance - my scones which are perfect everytime usually..were a request for Gary at the weekend … and they were a wetter mix than usual and spread sideways rather than upwards. I was sooo annoyed but he still managed to shovel them down with homemade blackberry and apple jelly and creme fraiche. And a coffee fairy cake too for good measure. And a raspberry jamtart too

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to limberlou]

😋

[orangeguy Graduate10]

Sounds like a good 5k 👍🙂 . . . I know from experience its hard to get out the door after a rough night when you haven't slept well. Its very easy to tell yourself "I cant go today after such a poor night" but as you say once you are out the door its not usually as bad as you think and you are always glad you went afterwards.

[limberlou Graduate10 in reply to orangeguy]

yup definitely and even after the nap I slept like a log last night too 😄

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

You got out LL, and that’s the main thing. You no doubt felt better than the nocturnal hand clapper so the win is yours. 😀

I’ve had a few weird nights too. Too hot, not tired, toes being attacked by a kitten - all that kind of malarkey. The difference with me is if I don’t run first thing, I don’t run (except race days). I have the utmost respect for people who can fiff and faff and still get out. Well done! 👏👏👏

[limberlou Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

yeah I have only ever run a couple of times in the evening and not really enjoyed any of them

I’m a early morning runner or not at all