This morning, it wasn't raining!
Hard to believe, but true.
I have been really, really, trying to embrace each different kind of weather for the part it plays in each day, but it has been very hard, so much rain and so little sunshine. After my unexpected cold shower on Thursday, yesterday's torrential rain at 7-45 a.m. was a step too far. I did not run.
I was not feeling overly optimistic or enthusiastic this morning, but when I looked out of the window, my goodness, what a difference.
I have been trying out the Couch to 5K+ podcasts and sticking to my three runs per week. I have done three runs using Stepping Stone, ( three day run, day off etc) and today's run, was day 2 of SPEED.
So, no problem at all getting out there this morning, togged up against a slightly chilly wind and out into the unexpected sunshine. Not a soul about this morning, and a Sunday quietness in the air. A five minute warm up walk, up to the roundabout and heading up to the Common. Running steadily for the five minute session ,a relaxed, easy pace and trying to maintain the new skills I have been picking up since Graduating, ( Love saying that). My footsteps echoing on the dry pathway, the palest of pale, blue watercolour skies above, with dry-brush clouds here and there, grey tipped and pink edged; the road stretching away before me and Laura's reassuring voice telling me what to do.
It was much easier running this morning, no puddles to avoid, no squishy wet grass, no traffic. Bliss.
Just, me and the day again. The birds, absent on Thursday, were out in force. Three blackbirds, one grass bouncing, trying to catch the early worm, the sparrows in the hedge of the big houses...spikkereing and spakkereing in and out of the hawthorn and along the edge of the lawns, and two magpies, shooting like black, iridescent arrows from the Silver Birch across to the branches of the huge Oak tree.
I am finding the circuits in this podcast to be very enjoyable, and today.. after the sixty second burst of speed, the slower run seemed really slow; maybe, just maybe, I am getting a bit faster. I am certainly finding these podcast suit me very well. It is difficult to work on all the things you should, but it is becoming more second nature now, relaxing my shoulders and running tall. I find that tip particularly useful; but it is much easier to do on a dry sunny morning, with your back unbent and your eyes and face not screwed up against the weather like a wrinkled wet prune!
The daffodils seem to have had a growth spurt, a full 15 cms or so above ground, closely followed by what seem to be crocus shoots... green, spiky shoots, yellow tipped , and brave in the borders. When it is like this, you can notice things, running yes, but seeing what is around you.
Each of the circuits seem to go really quickly and it surprises me when Laura says we are half way through. My legs are much, much stronger than before I started Couch to 5K and I am, I think improving my style.
I cross over the road at the turning point, ( getting better on my timings now). Running back down by the golf course, the blue tits are showing off again, aerobatics and acrobatics on the twigs of the trees and bushes. A sycamore tree, leaves pale in the early, weak sunshine, with the keys hanging down in limp bunches like dowdy, forgotten Christmas decorations. A good pace downhill, always good fun, and back to the roundabout. The birds twittering and tweeting now, darting in and out of the hedges, and lo and behold, the seagulls on the lights above the roundabout; taking off, as I approach, soaring upwards, wheeling nonchalantly in the clear air, not a care in the world, just because they can.
The last big finish and finish in style. I try to run lightly, in a confident way,( not that a lady, out now walking her dog, has anything to do with that ) 
Then slow down to the five minute walk. Job done.
Today was splendid.
The physical and psychological benefits of this programme have been amazing. Every new run, at whatever stage, is a lesson in something; your self esteem, your confidence, your stamina, your determination and your strength. Every challenge teaches you something new about yourself, and just what you can achieve.
Small steps, slow and steady, all heading towards wherever you want to be. You just need to believe in yourself.
Everyone out there, just starting this programme, just go for it....and, to complete Edison's quotation above...
"If we did all the things we are capable of... we would literally astound ourselves"
YOU ARE THE BEST…….
A little quiz....😎
WE DID IT ✅ WE ARE GRADUATES!! 
How are we all coping in the heat!!
The Gremlins are here... ☹️
