Having just had two weeks of enforced rest from running...pesky Bronchitis...I spent quite a bit of time reading the posts on our site.
What an amazing thing running is. The running itself, fantastic, but, all the benefits experienced because of it, unexpected and often quite astonishing. What has really surprised me, is the number of people out there, running, under all kinds of pressure, physical and emotional, running for themselves, running for others, and who not only find the courage and the time to run, but also take time to support, encourage, empathise and sympathise with other runners. This has been flagged up so many times by other posters and it is perfectly true. The unseen friends whose lives touch ours and the lives we, in turn touch, a circle of people who just care.
Inspirational. Thanks folks.
Anyway...enough philosophising...back to my outing this morning.
I was, as some of you know, a tad nervous about getting out again, but warmed and fuelled by the support from lovely people...I headed out there at just after 8 a.m.
A quintessential winter morning, the sky, a pristine blue and a purity in the crisp clean air. When one has been housebound, the delights of the outdoors seem to have a clarity and a newness and I was from the onset, revelling in just being outside. The sunshine, although lacking in strength, was beginning to making its presence felt, as I started a fairly brisk walk. A diamond flash on the road surprised me as I had not realised that the pavements, as yet untouched by the sun were glistening and were very icy and treacherous. Taking extra special care I continued my brisk walk down to the main road to the village.
Heartened by advice from those who know...i.e. better runners than me...when I was clear of the icy patches, I tried a slow jog. Thank goodness the school children have gone!
My legs felt fine, stronger than I had thought and although the air was cold, snug in my neck warmer and with my hat pulled well down, I was comfortable and breathing quite steadily. When you are moving slowly, you do have lots of time to look around and take it all in. Those of you who know me so well.. know that I love to ramble on in my head, on runs. Today was no exception; delighted to be out and moving a fraction faster than a laid back snail, I noticed how much the daffodil shoots had grown, the new buds in the hedgerows, the green spikes of the smallest snowdrops topped with clean, white, bell caps and the birds, simply filling the air with the chirrups, chattering and cheeps in the sheer exuberance of living.
I ran, for a mere five minutes, it felt long enough to start with. Hardly anyone about, the school traffic long gone and no sound from the school yard. The trees standing clear against the sky, the leaves glossy and green on the evergreens and what does seem to be new growth, on the tip-most edge of some of the other branches. Walk again for five minutes, then another, very slow 5 minute jog, although I do not think I was jogging as slowly as I thought I would. The programme clearly works and it takes a lot maybe, to lose the stamina you have gained. But, being a sensible old thing, I kept to my mantra of slow and steady! I repeated the pattern four times, trying to maintain a good stance, arms held correctly and fists unclenched, ( Laura is always with us). and then I felt ready for home.
Walking back home, passing the neat flower beds, the hopeful lines of early bedding in regimented rows, the morning sunshine of this winter day seemed to carry a promise of the Spring to come, and yet... there was a scent carried on the cold air... a chilly foreshadowing of more icy days to come?
I enjoyed my first outing, no speed, no style and certainly not a lot of grace. but out there and living to tell the tale.
The Grey Snail returns.. how pleased am I!
Love this forum, it feels like a second family. Never met a group of such all-round nice folks!
Beautiful day for a run...
Dirge of W9r2
Yay, did my 2nd run and named my Gremlin
