I have not been out for 10 days or so, and I vowed that I would today, and I did. I climbed aboard the car, drove to my local river and ran towards the dam. Part way there I realised I had no watch or anything else with me...so...
With no means of timing, and no iPod ect I just ran and 'listened' to my body. It is a steady pull on the way up with the accompaniment of the river, birds, Dartmoor ponies, walkers and some cattle. I ran until I felt in need of a rest, walked until I felt sufficiently recovered and then ran again. On the way back I just ran...and ran...and ran. I did walk on a couple of occasions for 30 seconds, but mostly I just ran.
What a feeling. I have never run like that before, normally being a slave to time. I felt so free.
I would suggest, nay urge any of the runners on here to giving it a try. Leave Laura behind, put the iPhone/iPod down and just listen to your body. With any luck you too will feel as alive as I do.
What a brilliantly optimistic picture you've painted, not only of your lovely locality but also your happy mind-set of freedom!
Enjoy this kind of experience often - I didn't know that such moments existed until I started running earlier this year. Now, I've even enjoyed solitude, and stress-empty headedness here in the busy, usually noisy, home counties. Pure bliss - and getting fitter to boot! How perfect some things are
Life IS good!
I try to get out cycling when I can (I live in Devon on the edge of Dartmoor), and the weather doesn't always play ball ~ yesterday was hideous, but I still did an 11 mile ride and I couldn't get any wetter.
Running, as you say, is an opportunity to enjoy solitude, and to become as one with your surroundings. A real chance to get things in [our far too hectic] life in perspective.
Enjoy your running; enjoy getting fitter and live life to the full ~ as I once heard, 'you only pass this way once' ~ or to quote Land Rover 'One Life ~ Live It'.
Now then Sallycycle, that was a lovely easy feeling blog and it is something I will try very soon. My programme is totally off course because my Mum died on Tuesday morning and I have simply not been at home to do a thing! i did try a small feeble apology of a run yesterday morning but I am beginning to feel the need to get out soon. I like the idea of running 'free' and will give it a try. You are right - LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL! I have learnt that this week!
Beek, I am so sorry for your loss. I can empathise to an extent, but no-one really knows how you are feeling. Take time, revel in the small things in life [a small delicate flower, a raidrop running down a window] and gradually the pain eases.
Firstly Beek your in my thoughts at this time of your great loss. You are so right too as we (hubby and myself) get older I have taken life by the horns so to speak and go at things as if there maybe won't be a tomorrow, we never know that could be the case so I echo your words - LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL.
Sallycycle I loved your blog, written and run with passion, pride and enjoyment. I'm a great believer in doing just what you have especially if things have gone a bit pear shaped. No pressure, no times to be met, just the frredom to do it how you feel like. Best way to put things right. Lovely blog thank you.
It is important to keep our feet on the ground and not let things get out of proportion ~ as they easily can. I find running (and cycling) helps with this. Our son has rowing; we have running (well, more me than the Mrs as she is in the middle of end-of-year-reports).
Keep running, and enjoy every day, whatever it may bring.
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Gentle 20mins with no music 
What is your running music?
So long, farewell, auf wiedersen, goodbye to Laura.... hello Ace of Spades????
New to the board, just finished week 4
A long run, just for the sake of it
