Hello Running People...Floss Ramble warning.
Well, here I am again,. The runs continue and the joy, is running alongside me.
I have , as many of you who have fought your way through my rambles, know, am mostly, running, short, relaxed runs. No pressure and no overthought.
This is not always an easy option for me, because, I am a weird old snail, ( ask MR OF), and I have quirky little running habits.
I have to set out my gear the night before, I have in the past, had a route in my head, although, latterly, I have been far less rigid with that and often tweak a route, or take a turn I never have.
I have, also, had regular running day... mainly determined by small person care, after she was born, just falling into a habit of three times a week, The days, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, Fun Day, Run Day... the day for a lovely, long, see here I get to run. Again, events following Mr OF's heart attack a year ago, have meant some tweaking there too... and I have found the relaxed, run when I am able, approach, one that I am enjoying! I am shaking it up...
AND, on TUESDAY ! Well !
I really shook it up... no gear set out Monday night, no intention of running on a day I don't have down, as a run day, and...after a full workout day spent caring for a small whirlwind, for ten hours and the additional heat on Monday, I was fairly shattered by evening! However...
Tuesday had dawned, a long warm night, followed by the most glorious sunrise and the promise of a warmer day to come. My body spoke to me... no, it shouted at me... “Look at that sky, look at that sun and feel that gentle, cool, early breeze. What are you waiting for.... just get out there! “
There was no ignoring it and after the early morning, regular routine...I was rummaging through my running gear, designated drawers, ( mentally noting the need for a sort out), and getting ready, in record time... Mr OF looked stunned, and with minimum faffage, I found myself outside, NRC Guided runs on stand by...with a bemused Coach Bennett, ready to head off, and no-one was more surprised than me!
Tuesday... what... where and how, and then... another voice, whispering this time, repeating a message that has been in my head for a short while... “ Why not start a new plan?”
After reading some great posts from folk on the forum here, and although I have run two 10K's over the April and May, I have been eager to try , what for me, is the new NRC 10K plan. So, I did !
Standing in the warmth of the morning, the Close, quiet and still, I downloaded it, and those little, familiar flutter-bys in my tummy were there. The excitement and the anticipation. I was off.
Feet kissing the ground and my whole body relaxing into an easy pace, no effort here at the start of the run, just a gentle movement, that took me forward and out, with little idea of where I was running.
The legs are odd, They sometimes, just take me, it feels almost as if they have a mind of their own, and this morning, off they went, up one our favourite routes, the hill. I love it and they love it. They move without effort now, they know it so well and I had time to look around and simply soak up the wonder around me.
The rain of late and now, the unexpected sunshine have worked their magic, filling my route with foliage, flours, and colours; greens and blues, and a rainbow palette of every hue.
The pavement, dusty beneath my feet, but the grass, as I cross the open spaces, damp-dewed with shimmering droplets. The little ponds and lakes, hidden, and keeping their secrets behind ivy-thick screens. Every step brings something new, and although I have run this way before, every run, every time is different.
I pass no-one and the bird-song, and CB's voice in my ear are the only sounds. This first run, of choice, in the 1O K plan is a 3K.... short enough to feel easy and long enough to get the legs going.
My body is so aware, the sensations are tangible, and before I know it, I have reached the halfway point. I always go on a tad further, as I know I will be much speedier, as CB often says, on the return.
So, I cross by a hidden lake, the grass springy beneath my feet, the leaves above me stirring in the breeze and through a walkway between the gardens of the larger houses, on the much envied edge of the Estate... up towards the other end... round and about and heading back towards the hill for the return journey... I go up the hill a little way and then turn for the downhill delight. I am taking in every thing and notice how the path so much narrower than it used to be... Council cuts, mean verges and hedges benefit enormously... !
There are a few, huge Cow Parsley fronds stretching over the path... as there were, on a run, many moons ago.
healthunlocked.com/couchto5............
I knew then, that it was probably a tad foolish to hurdle the flowers, but heck... life is for living and doing silly things!
I make it down the hill, now, in good time, breathing easy and having had a lot of fun...recharged and ready for the day ahead...
Gardening and appointments for Mr OF have been on the cards this week, but with simple enjoyable runs like that one... even short ones... the joys are there.
I ran again today... a much shorter run, that was just as pleasant, but a tad cooler... flowers, flowers , flowers.
So... on I go, enjoying the return and now, determined to shake things up a tad, too.
NOW...I am wondering also, what, if anything, is the daftest or silliest thing you have done on one of your runs... ? Or have they all been very controlled and sensible!
I would LOVE to know...I bet, we all would... come on... share 
Oldfloss
PS
Did I jump the Cow Parsley on this run... No, not this time. Was that because I am a few years older, or a few years wiser... Have I become..... ( Gulp), sensible...
The answer to that is a HUGE NO! The Cow Parsley was just too HIGH!
Floss x
Running with a view 🇨🇭 
Joy of running with a challenge 
Where do you find the joy in your running?
