Panther Hunt...

[ju-ju-]

Im Unexpectedly in Cornwall this weekend ( long story... Family stuff).

So.. I did my fave run here in

Truro that my best friend recommended to me.

Started off ok up the enormous hill... Then down into the valley, head torch on and getting in the zone...

Now ...this run takes me right through the Cornish coastal path which was frankly a fu***** Bog. I slid about and screamed, danced ( MOS 2014 in my ears), then I realised... I was being hunted. I was a panther being chased by hunters. They wanted to capture me and put me in a cage with a lead...I had to KEEP RUNNING (

get it???). So I slid down paths, scrambled over roots, shin deep in icy puddles.... I was panthering and I loved it, loving the hunt and the adrenalin of it...

It was just a 10k but it felt more like 12... I think the whole running on really difficult paths makes you work that much harder so the body gets fully punished!

A few jelly belly to keep up the sugar worked a treat...

Lots of thinking too... Life's troubles are sorted on a run and it all goes away.

I had a thought... That running is all about the journey... Living, breathing, smelling, seeing and touching everything as I go and discover. That's why I need to push myself, so I can enjoy the journey for longer without my body tiring....

Happy panthering

Ju ju

X

[mustgetthin Graduate]

Waw... That sounds like you had the best time ever! I wish I hsd the courage to do a bit of trail running but I'm to worried I'll hurt myself. You don't half make it sound fun though.

S X

[GoogleMe Graduate in reply to mustgetthin]

Yesterday I made a wrong call and decided that I may as well put on non running day clothes, but it then transpired that I could have run (but such is my health that if I went and got changed there would be no run) So instead I did a brisk-ish walk in the wood where I did quite a bit of C25K (on a bit of a running nostalgia trip at the moment) Nearly had a serious trip on one of the widest rides - one of those sneaky snakey brambles. Made me laugh. (The fact that I burned almost as many calories in the same time as running, despite brief stops to chat to other dog owners, did not make me laugh)

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to GoogleMe]

That does sound fun!!

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to mustgetthin]

It was fun and it did cross my mind that if I fell in the sea no one would know for days!! I would recommend it though just to have fun!!

[GoogleMe Graduate in reply to ju-ju-]

I'm not very fond of slippy slidey mud, especially not on a slope but other than that I much prefer to run like your panther hunt - knee deep in an icy puddle really livens things up. We have a lot of trees down here so many surprises even on familiar paths.

I found trail shoes improved my confidence no end.

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to GoogleMe]

Oh thats a good idea about the shoes, my trainers just fill up with the icy water and get so heavy!!!!

[runningnotwalking Graduate]

Panthers are a rare breed in Cornwall and highly prized so you must have run fast to keep ahead of those hunters It's good making up new routes to keep it interesting and sounds like you had a great time.

10k on a trail probably counts as 12k on the flat anyway.

Panther on Ju Ju.

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to runningnotwalking]

Thanks RNW...I had to really run fast but I escaped, and it was so much fun just imagining being chased!!!!

[suzybenj Graduate]

Well done - glad you enjoyed it. Slipping and sliding in the mud worries me- so brave you

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to suzybenj]

Thankyou...I actually think its good training too as you use all sorts of leg muscles which makes it a difficult run to navigate...and its such good fun too!!!!

[Hidden]

Now that does sound like a tough run, but the big question is did the hunter ever catch the panther in the end or did the panther manage to escape?.

You never stop amazing me, you passion for running is so infectious & I know that I need to get back out there soon.

Hopefully this week will see this tortoise getting back on the track and putting in some long overdue km's

Happy running, you have done so well.

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou. so much MatthewW...

I think the hunter hadn't done quite as much training as panther....But next time they may well have, and then find and shoot the panther....but I'm ready!!

well done for planning to get out there this week, you will feel so much better. It helps if you have something to aim for like a 10k or half marathon race...and a marathon next year?!!

[Hidden in reply to ju-ju-]

You can't kidnap the panther, well not unless you're a very very good hunter!...

Anyway, the panther already knew how to escape, and the hunter was always one step behind....

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Panthers like the thrill of the chase .. But ultimately they want to be outwitted and captured ... By the ultimate hunter.....

[Hidden in reply to ju-ju-]

Perhaps the hunter needs a new technique then, rather than chasing and hunting, perhaps he should hold his hand out and stroke the panther....

.....Strip away the sleek fur and ferocious instincts and they are just big pussy cats after all.

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I think that would work... Panthers are Just big pussy cats with shiny fragile fur that needs stroking... Then they purr