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?
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MissUnderstanding
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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.
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! 😊👏👏👏
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!
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.
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.,
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
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!!!
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! 🐶🎄😅
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
🍏 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
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!
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...
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 😁
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!
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!
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)
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!!
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!
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 😂.
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!!!
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.
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!
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
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