I am mad. Officially. My 82 year old mother told me so it must be true.
I went to visit my parents In Ireland last week which was lovely but I couldn't read a single post as technology doesn't live there. I got the daily emails on my phone ok which was tantalising but I couldn't open them which was frustrating. I missed you guys and missed what everyone was up to so have lots of catching up to do now.
Anyway the good news is that I managed to get three runs done on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday which I'm delighted with. Sunday's run was lovely. Weather was crisp but sunny, I met 3 other runners (!) which I rarely do at home as I usually run off the beaten track a bit, so I get a bit excited when I see others out and about. All very friendly as you'd expect in Ireland (mostly!)
Tuesday's run was a different matter altogether. Made an early start, weather was very cold, damp but not raining and very windy. That's OK I thought I'll get the winter kit on and I'll be fine. Was aiming for a nice steady 5K, do half to the traffic lights and then turn for the other half. Warm up walk lovely, did a few stretches, jumps, kicks, etc to get the blood flowing, then off I went for the first 2.5K. Thanked the running gods! I had the wind behind me and it was literally pushing me along! Fantastic. It made the run so much easier. But you know what I'm going to say. I had to turn at the traffic lights and run into it on the way back! Oh er.
OMG, it was so strong that at times I was just standing still. But I carried on determined to keep moving. I was managing OK, not fast but OK and then the running gods decided to throw a strop. It started to sleet! Not rain, sleet. Straight at me. Big, hard, cold drops of icy fingers lashing at my face and body. This was hard. I had run in the rain before but this was completely different. The wind made it all the more icy and at times I couldn't even breath! Drivers were looking at me probably wondering who this mad woman was running in this weather. I used to be one of those drivers.
But then a revelation. I was loving this. They were sitting nice and warm in their cars not going very fast at all. I was out there facing the elements and loving it! I run with epic orchestral type music (you know the stuff that you go into battle with!) and I really did feel like a warrior. Me against the elements. Yes! This is what it's all about I thought. Exhilarating!
I didn't have waterproof clothes on and I could feel the sleet make its way through my layers and to my skin. But I didn't care. I kept going until I'd done the 5K then a 10 minute walk to my parents' house.
I was taking my shoes off at the front door when I heard my mother's voice, " you are absolutely mad".
"I know" I said "but I love it". She looked at me as if she didn't really know who I was anymore. I don't know who I am anymore! My face was pink and tingling from the wind and sleet, my nose was streaming, my thighs were actually numb and quite painful and when I took my leggings off they were so wet you could wring them out! But you know what? I absolutely loved it!
I was on a high the rest of the day. Talk about addiction! I've got it bad.
PS It's great to be back.
Written by
Irishprincess
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Great post IP! Well done on those runs. Be proud of being mad! I love the idea of running to epic orchestral warrior music - fantastic!
Thanks Rob. Two Steps From Hell does it for me. They produce music for movies and games so it's a bit Game of Thrones'ish which I love. If you're interested I'll send you some of the best for running.
Fantastic IP. Definitely a bit mad but then so are all of us. True IrishPrincess warrior running through sleet and shine epic stuff just missing the war paint !
Fantastic post. Really enjoyed reading that. Thanks for sharing your epic run with us.
I know exactly what you mean. Ther's another element to this running lark too I think. I now feel much more in touch with the seasons. I'm thinking about how the weather will change over the next 12 months and what the light levels will be, and what my running will be like. I've never been so aware of the weather and the seasons before. Strangely, I dont think negatively about the inclement weather, its just a different chalange. The only weather that really concerns me is icy paths, as that may force me to not run. It's weird, its great, I love it
Thank you so much Zev. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Yes I agree, running really puts you in touch with the seasons but I'm not sure about icy paths either. Don't want to fall and get injured. But as you say, another challenge!
That's funny Princess - Southern Ireland is more tech advanced than the UJ cause of the Celtic Tiger - or maybe your parents don't have internet - just thought your post was giving the impression that Ireland is backward when it comes to technology
My parents live in the North ziggy but it's nothing to do with the area, they just don't have Internet access. Hence my withdrawal symptons at not being able to read the posts!
You're mad? We're all mad? Ride of the Valkyries at full blast, count me in with a bit of Zadoc the priest, I'll have some of that! Brilliant, well done you! we are Spartan! Never back down!
Anytime, anytime! What made me smile about your post, was it reminded me of a run I did very early on in the programme, I went past a lady younger than me who looked very professional in her running gear with full make up on, yes, full make up, I did wonder what would happen once she got all sweaty, and God forbid it would rain! Anyway, I beleive at some point in this programme, I don't know when, a switch gets thrown and we suddenly relish the rain, the feeling of wind blasting your face and the frosty starts. I actually went out one day when it was already raining, it was one of the best runs I have had. All hail the madness, don't you just love it!
Make up when running! You just wouldn't. Maybe she didn't get sweaty. I did see someone in the gym once with full make up and I was mesmerised. Why? Maybe it was the same lady.
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looking for some of that warrior music right now 
epic stuff just missing the war paint !
Bring it on! Week one, day one, run one!
Red January penultimate run 👍
That was one windy run!
W9R3 - over the moon!
