✨Cool running…finally!✨

[MissUnderstanding]

Yesterday was a busy day with not much space for running. You know that feeling when your legs just want to go? I felt itchy all day and at 830pm there was finally a window. Bit of a debate about whether it was too late but there was a chill in the air and the night was bright. I was not going to miss the opportunity for a cool run!

Time to find the dark run kit. That’s a light fluro jacket, t shirt with reflecting bits and a head torch. I absolutely love a run in the dark and k was raring to go! MrU came with me for a warm up walk. It was lovely to spot some bunnies and bats. I was a bit chilly which is usually a good sign that I’ve got my kit about right. After about ten minutes walk, MrU turned for home and I started running.

I haven’t posted any run reports lately because my runs have been so miserable. I’d put that down to post-Covid but I think I’ve been massively underestimating the effect of the heat and humidity. This is the first run in ages where k haven’t felt super hot, and I finally felt good! I’d almost forgotten what if feels like to run like this. Calm and comfortable and absolutely brilliant.

I hadn’t really thought much my route. I was part way along an old favourite couch to 5k path and I decided to follow that for a little while. Up a stony path dodging the brambles. Along a country lane with Shetland ponies in a field-the foals are super cute. Down a little path with a friendly cat. Divert onto a little path with smoother terrain-always better in the dark. Before I knew it, I’d been running for just over ten minutes and it was time to turn for home. By now I’d settled into a lovely rhythm and when twenty minutes had passed I dropped to a walk. Couch to 5k’s week 5 run 3 was best run of the program and this twenty minute run was a mood booster in much the same way. I can’t remember the last time I felt like this on a run. I’m hoping that once cooler weather comes and I’m further away from covid, runs will be as enjoyable as this one! It was absolutely worth the time to get out and get a couple of miles in the legs. Still in a good mood this morning!

Anyone else a lover of the dark run?

[Oldlady64 Graduate10]

What a great post! Your recovery seems to be coming along very well now. I too get so hot when running and it takes a toll on me, so I’m looking forward to the coming few months of much cooler running.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Oldlady64]

Thank you! Even my garmin is happy with me,. It’s amazing how much difference just one good run makes!

[Beatlesforever Graduate10]

Fantastic MU, what a wonderful run report! I do love running in autumn 🍁🍂 the joy is pouring from your post. Aah that feeling is the best, enjoy it! 😊👏👏👏

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Beatlesforever]

Thank you! Autumn is so good, isn’t it! Cooler weather, trees turning, pumpkin spice cake… just brilliant! (See how I snuck cake in there on the quiet!! Still feeling the buzz from that run this morning. Long may that continue!

[Beatlesforever Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Hehehe cake is good any time of year but I do have a soft spot for pumpkin spice cake (pumpkin spice anything!) 😋🎃

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Great recovery run for you MissUnderstanding, congratulations, the C25K run 3 of week 5 is appropriately 3K, so it worked well for you, when I go a short run it's a 3K and varies from 19 to 22 minutes.Yesterday I got a PB 7K run of 46.29 which was 6 minutes quicker than when I last ran that distance 4 weeks ago, so that makes two happy people with their runs this week, regarding dark runs, I have only once ran a 5K in the dark, I had to stay at home all day waiting for the gas man to get my gas heater back on, he came at 5,30pm after dark, I ran that 5K at around 7 o'clock at night, I prefer daylight running.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks Al! Great new PB for you. It’s a wonderful day when one of those comes around! Congratulations!!

[Beatlesforever Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Well done on that PB Al! A whooping 7 minutes faster than 4 weeks ago, that's amazing 🤩 👏👏👏

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Beatlesforever]

Six minutes, not seven minutes quicker Beatlesfor ever, it was a PB for 7K, however, 4 weeks ago I set my metronome cadence at 167 beats a minute and ran that 7K along the canal bank in a time of 52,29, yesterday on the exact same route I set the metronome at 175 beats a minute hence the quicker time of 46,29.,

[Beatlesforever Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Haha I got muddled up! Still, six minutes is very good indeed 💪 I like your metronome technique, very clever 😊

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Beatlesforever]

✅🏃👍

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

That's wonderful, a lovely cool run and returning to enjoying it 😁 I love the photo too, yes I like dark runs but we do have street lights instead of hedges

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you! I’m really not built for heat! We don’t have many street lights around here. I bought myself a head torch last year and that’s been brilliant for seeing and being seen. I do have to try hard not to blind people if I forget I’m wearing it and stop for a conversation!!!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

We have head torches, they are great for late dog walks, we also have a flashing collar that shows us where the dog is

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

I’ve seen dogs wearing those-they’re very snazzy!

[Beatlesforever Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

We have head torches and a flashing collar for our dog too. Everyone says he looks like a Christmas dog - he's white and the collar flashes bright red! 🐶🎄😅

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Beatlesforever]

Ours is black and flashes blue 😁 it means we know where he is, we have a flashing ball too after losing too many in the dark, if he misses it we know where it landed

[Beatlesforever Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Yep, we've been there. We now avoid balls after dark altogether 😅😅

[Annieapple]

🍏 I have started out in the dark of an early morning but knowing dawn was about to break! Your adventure is a temptation to give it a go in the future. Xx

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Annieapple]

Thank you! I’m really not a morning person so early is hard for me-when it’s hot, later is much better. Running (or walking) with a full moon out is a really special experience. I’d definitely recommend it!

[drl212 Graduate10]

How wonderful! Great to hear such a positive report!!

I've never done a run in the dark, but have been looking at head lamps to wear when the daylight constricts. I'm a morning runner so that means I hope to be doing some runs in the dark when up and out the door early.

And I absolutely agree about the heat and humidity...

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to drl212]

Thank you! Happy kit shopping. That’s always a fun task!

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10]

It's amazing how much easier it gets once the temperature drops. I love the photo, very atmospheric.I've never run at night, I like to see where I'm going. Being semi retired I can wait until daylight in the winter 😁

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

Thank you! Daylight definitely has advantages for seeing where you’re going. Probably fewer bats to spot but maybe that’s a bonus for some!

Let’s hope the weather stays cool but I’d like to order some sun again please. It’s been monsoon here today!! I feel like I earned my garmin-prescribed rest day!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

In the dark...maybe in location, but running wise??? Not any more !

Hooray!!!

HUGE well done to you on that wonderful exciting run... bunnies, bats and a calm, coolness reflected in your words here...

Leaving the Covid legacy trailing behind, finally, we hope, and moving forward with confidence and real enjoyment again, that sounds pretty perfect !

Sorry for the late reply, but I am so, so pleased for you xxx

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you so much! You’re right-my whole feeling about running is lighter. Amazing what just one good run can do! I might even try another dark one later-although there’s so much rain that staying cool won’t be a problem!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

We have sunshine..... ! Temperatures today set tor reach 24 by lunchtime !

[CBDB Graduate10]

fab night run.

I think I’ve run only once or twice in the dark, keeping to road running and street lights.

So I’ve never run with head torches.

As a not-to-early-morning runner, it’s not an opportunity that comes along often but reading your post does tempt me to try one day!

Fab run!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

Maybe I should take inspiration and try a few more early runs…if I can make friends with my alarm!!

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

For weekend runs the trick for me is to say to myself that the earlier I run, the more likely it is that I can come back, take a shower, get hubby and me a coffe and crawl back into bed for another half hour of chatting and reading. (I love reading in the mornings in bed, so for me it was figuring out how I could do that as well as running)

[Xmrkn20 Graduate10]

Fabulous post, really encouraging. Oh how I yearn for the cooler weather, I get so exhausted in the heat. And I manage to be hot even when others are chilly!!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Xmrkn20]

Thank you! ❤️ I run hot too-sympathies and solidarity! I did Zumba with my friend the other night. I was a bright red, sweaty tomato while she didn’t have a hair out of place! I’ve learnt to not worry about how I look, but hot runs are really hard work. It’s such a relief for it to be a bit cooler!

[Xmrkn20 Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Hmm! I went for my run yesterday in the Hope it would be cool, as it was very overcast. As I got changed out came the sun, blue became the sky and humid was the atmosphere!! Got it done, but must have lost several pints as I ‘glowed’ my way round 😂.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Xmrkn20]

If you could see my face post parkrun…. I dressed for cold and it’s humid. I could heat a large living room with my glow!! Happy glow though!!! Off to find a drink…maybe even an ice cream!!!

[MrBassmanjazz]

"Couch to 5k’s week 5 run 3 was best run of the program". I concur. Didn't have a lot of time on Wednesday - so did a 20min run in my lunch break.

[BahamaMama1]

Yes! to cool running and running in the dark. Hot summer runs are not for me.

[Bruch1]

I much prefer running when it's cooler, if not downright cold. I've been going out early and getting back before it's got too warm. The other advantage is that after breakfast and a shower the day is still ahead of you. Daren't run in the dark as I'm too worried about falling. The pavements around us are lethal.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Bruch1]

I’ve had one fall in the dark and that was because I was chatting-I actually think I usually concentrate better when it’s dark and pay more attention to where my feet are landing. Totally understand avoiding dodgy pavements-super sensible choice! I always bow down in admiration at early runners!

[Folkylass Graduate10]

Congratulations on your run in the dark MissUnderstanding I’m like you I’m just not good in the heat so I relish the weather turning cooler and as I have yet to try evening running I think that may be a thing in the future for me ,I definitely want to give it a go. You have inspired me and once again well done ! 👍👏👏🏃‍♀️🥰xx