A different route

[Yesletsgo]

It's been a bit busy these last few days so I haven't run since Saturday, when my run came to a rather unpleasant end.

I decided to take a path I haven't done since the winter. The first half, on a good day, is smooth short grass, almost like being on a treadmill but much prettier. The second starts with a patch that's prone to waterlogging (though not now as we haven't had much rain) and goes on to a stretch that isn't always mowed so can be waist high in weeds. I wanted to check it out to see if the farmer has cut it, as all the other paths have been trimmed recently.

The plan was to run slowly again but I'd downloaded a playlist from BBC Sounds that was curated by Fatboy Slim. It was very energetic, some great tracks, but not the sort of thing that makes you want to take your time.

The path wasn't too bad, the flat bit had slightly longer grass than I'd like and the second bit was only calf high in weeds. There was a very welcome patch of shade alongside some trees towards the end of that stretch too. Not sure I'll run it again in a hurry, the hard baked mud under the weeds is very uneven and I nearly turned my ankle. On the other hand, it was so beautiful....

The path leads back towards the usual route to the sea wall. I stopped trying to run slowly and upped the pace for a little while. It was warm and sunny but the breeze kept the temperature down. This developed into impromptu intervals, running until my heartrate climbed higher than I wanted then walking until it slowed down. I think the ability to bring HR down is an indicator that you're doing things properly isn't it?

I reached the place where I normally end my run. I'd covered 4.7 km. I thought about carrying on to 5k but decided to quit while I was ahead. No mishaps today thank heavens, hoping I can soon put it out of my mind. To be honest, it bothered me to the extent that I think I was looking for excuses not to run. Anyway, this morning it was a case of forcing myself to face my fears and get out there. I've done hundreds of runs and only a couple have ended like this so statistically I should be in the clear.

Happy running (and no trotting 😂)

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

You faced the challenges, enjoyed most of your run, I'm glad you didn't turn your ankle and you stopped when you wanted so remained in control. I think I missed your last run so will go and have a look

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

All in all it was pretty good, I think all the ankle strengthening and balance exercises I do before I go out helped

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

A sound run in a beautiful place . listening to your body and turning negative thoughts into positive ones.

Body and soul refreshed and recharged and ready for the next run . Well done you ! Dragon defeated ! x

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks , facing the fear is always the best move when you know that rationally nothing bad is likely to happen

[drl212 Graduate10]

Well done!! Sounds like an amazing run in a gorgeous place!

Now its my turn to be off to the canal path for my run...

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to drl212]

Sounds like you had a great start to the day

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate10]

Running in the countryside is the best, you never know what you will find as the terrain changes so often!

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Wavy-chick28]

Everything changes out in the fields, crops grow and are harvested, the trees change, the weather changes, it's endlessly fascinating

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

Yes it’s the best and I never thought I would say that after moving from suburbia and its pavements, I’m not quite rural but semi 😂

[Annieapple Administrator]

🍏🙌 They have said it all but here’s a well done Annie hug 🤗

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Annieapple]

Thanks Annieapple , appreciated

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

These are the runs I love too - although there are a couple of tracks I have temporarily abandoned because they are just too overgrown to run! I agree that hard-baked trails can be harder to negotiate than wet muddy ones and are such a risk to ankles at this time of year. Well done for facing your fears!💪

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

It's just so wonderful to live near all this. The farmer really looks after his land and makes it very easy for walkers/runners. There are miles and miles of paths which are well maintained, though sometimes they get everso overgrown. Can't complain when it's all free though.

Mud, whether wet, dry, cracked. squidgy, overgrown, hard etc is another source of constant vigilance