Once you're wet, you're wet...

[Oldfloss]

Week 7, run 3 completed. Very satisfied indeed, especially as it was very, very damp this morning.

Peeked out at 7 a.m. and it was really raining, but at 7.30, as the rain had turned into a fine drizzle, I thought I would grab my chance.

Varying my route a little again, it was really quite dark this morning, and the fine drizzle was already turning into something that resembled wet sleet. As I headed across the main road in the village, the wet road, glistened under the headlights of the passing cars, and the local hairdresser's window was already ablaze with Christmas lights!

Leaving the relatively warm glow of the village, I went steadily, if increasingly damply, up the hill, halfway point, twelve and a half minutes to go, as I headed along the back lane. Huge puddles stretched along ahead of me under the dripping trees, seeming to join up in places and giving the impression of a continuous wet stream.

No animals in the fields this morning, no pheasants and no buzzards; everything clothed in rain-slick darkness. The rain getting much heavier now and my feet getting wetter by the minute.

Again, words whizzing around my head, darker thoughts this morning, maybe matching the weather's mood...Shadowlands... CS Lewis, ( ...Give me blizzards and frozen pipes, not this nothing time, not this waiting room of the world).

Weird how my running has re awakened all the half forgotten poems and words from way back.

Half lost, in these more sombre thoughts, as I concentrated on one foot in front of the other, Laura's cheery voice broke into my musings, with one minute to go. Finish on a high, let yourself know you have something left to give. Turning the corner to go downhill, ( for once) , the sky already lightening ahead of me,the lights from the main street below me beckoned like a welcome beacon.

Finished my run and on the warm down walk, I could feel a brightening of my mood again. Week 7 done, wet or not, prospect of a warm shower and the day stretching ahead; this morning's run had been different.. darker in a lot of ways weirdly, and maybe a little harder because of the weather, but still very enjoyable.

Week 8 Run 1... here I come!

[misswobble Graduate]

Well done ! It's worse contemplating being out in this awful weather than actually being out in it! Once you're out there and running you soon warm up. I got trussed up this morning and couldn't ditch my jacket and was soon cooking like a foil-wrapped chicken. It was very windy and hellishly wet but hey we were out there doin it, and I don't know about you, but I had a huge grin on my face. Hysteria probably

You're doing fine. Go steady now. This is an important point in the programme so stay slow, plod it out, and you'll finish it in one piece

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to misswobble]

Thanks...I did have a grin at the end.. when I was on the homeward run..and as you say.. at least we are out there.. and doing it!

[AdamB Graduate]

Well done on getting out. It's getting through the door that's the hardest part, isn't it? I was lucky today - I managed to get my run in before the bad weather hit. I just don't fancy trying to get home tonight at the moment unless things pick up a bit.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to AdamB]

Thanks.. yes, it is the hardest bit just closing the door behind you and turning your back on warmth.. but the feeling at the end of the run is brilliant!

Stay warm!

[LauraLouP Graduate]

Well done! you are so nearly there - graduating in winter - a better man than me! I got out at 6.25 this morning and it was raining. I remembered others telling me to not mind the rain and once you are wet etc... so off i went. The looks from dog walkers all warm and cosy in their hats, gloves and puffy coats told me they thought i was mad! But like you I am so glad I made it up and out. Would just like the mornings to get lighter again!

Keep going - so nearly there

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to LauraLouP]

Thanks for that... yes, one does get odd looks from people..but, hey ho, at least it makes them smile. Just got to get to the 21st December then it starts getting lighter again

Hope I can make it through... literally.. if we have snow!!!!

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Well done - not easy on these dark dank mornings!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Certainly isn't... I very nearly did not head out...but glad I did. Maybe better on Wednesday

[poppypug Graduate]

Lovely post Floss ! Well done for getting out there .

Not easy stepping out in this weather but you sure are so glad you did when you've done it and heading home !

Brilliant ! xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Thanks for that.. not easy at all.. but the home run is priceless.. not bad for an old 'un.

Hope I can stick it through week 8 and week 9!