Hello 
Yes... if you did not hear the whoop of sheer delight as I crossed my beloved fields, this morning... here I am to tell you about it !
This morning, I RAN ! OUTSIDE!! Excited or what?
Well. I had a bit of a horrid day yesterday with all sorts of things going pear-shaped...so, I made up my mind that, weather permitting, ice or snow holding off, the Beast from the East and the Pest from the West, back in their lairs, I was going to run. I knew the weather was going to be a tad warmer, but I still got out my warmer weight leggings, my new thermal beanie, my Buff and my glubs! ( gloves).
I slept well. Waking, I could hear no rain, or wind. Peeping out into the semi darkness... there was mist. Not fog...just mist. Down to make a cuppa for myself and Mr OF.... half an hour more sipping tea and then a slow start. Wash and teeth cleaning... ( 80 squats whilst that happened, and a few ankle raises for good measure).
A lot of faffing with socks and shoes, a while spent looking for my watch and a quick prayer to the running gods that I had turned it off after my last run on.... NOVEMBER 30th! I found it, and I had! Some stretching to make sure everything was warmed up... gear on, earphones connected and out.
Mr OF telling me to be safe and careful, and to enjoy, with a last warning, ( I had told him he must do this), … he called... “ Do not start off by going UP the hill!). I love uphill, but I knew this may be, quite literally a step too far.
So.... what did I choose to run to on this really special day. It had to be something easy... and short...and familiar. So, it was me and Laura. C25K Week 4. I needed some running but not too much, I had no idea how I was going to fare. I had to be sensible and do, what I am always saying to folk here, and on Couch, I had to run in the way that is right for me.
Warm up walk to Seagull roundabout takes me five minutes. I was for a split second, tempted to carry on up... but when Laura said it was time to run... I turned around and went down the hill! I listened to her voice, I kept it gentle. All the way round and about, along and across the level crossing, closed to traffic until May! The road obviously quiet and then I turned up towards the fields.
Light feet, easy breathing and strong legs... Yoga with Adrienne's CENTER, and a variety of exercise for each day of Red January have impacted greatly. Even when I felt at my lowest, I have done my squat and ankle raise routine with teeth cleaning, indoor walking and a mad dance session once or twice. All these things have played their part.
As I turned up to the fields I did ease back and let my breathing steady, Laura is a friend and I trust her; making the fields, I felt an enormous surge of emotion. I was worried about this first run, I did wonder whether I would run out if breath, or my legs might ache... but as I carried on and saw the track with my majestic tree, I knew. It was going to be okay.
The fields, hedge-blurred, sky and earth blanketed in the softest grey shawl of mist. No sound. The track thick-mudded, and puddled, here and there where the ice has melted away. It was not a sight many would wish to see, but for me it was one of the most beautiful. Maintaining a steady, ( if ungainly), pace I carried on across the field. Slithering and sliding a bit, giggling as I stumbled, and so surprised to hear Laura say there was one last run to go. I realised that I had been walking and running , following her voice, almost subconsciously
I made the crossing of the steam railway and took a quick photo of the track and the tunnel. I shuddered... again, straight out of The Signal Man. Across the line and just up the side of the crop field a way, before turning back, for that homeward stretch of a last run. A short burst of speed, maybe not in your book, but today, for me it was.
And it was done. Laura said, I was to carry on walking , so a last look at my fields before I headed down to the crossing and then home. Laura told me I should be proud of myself. I was simply, grateful.
I walked slowly back up the hill and into the house. Mr OF... “ … and how much did you enjoy that? I was watching you all the way”. Thank goodness for location share!
How much?
Well, it was not far, it certainly was not fast. Style may have been lacking, but as far as runs go? It was one of the very, very best!
Floss x
On track
Back to the Beginning
