Lots of thoughts today as I set out on my second Stamina run.. Did the first try on Sunday... different and quite exciting, ( see last post) !
Stamina is, as a few folk have suggested to me...quite addictive. It comprises a lovely run, and without any stop start-pressure, there is very much an element of just running for the sheer joy of it.
This morning was a stunner. White frost and an unreal blue sky, pink frill tipped, and the faintest of white clouds overhead. Half-term, so all fairly quiet and a chance to head out a little later. I was extra careful when setting out... after Sunday's, Bambi on Ice scenario, but weirdly, the pavements were clear, just the odd frozen sparkle in the shade. The sun's warmth is getting stronger with every passing day. Cheers the heart.
A brisk warm up five minutes and then into the first phase... a good steady beat and I managed to set a good pace... despite the icy air trying to creep through my Buff. I passed a couple of dog walkers and a lady defrosting her windscreen, and giving me a cheery good morning. No decision to make today, I was heading out to the lanes and the fields. Into the village and past the station and up the hill past Rookery Wood...I know this way so well, and it is still one of my favourite runs. My plan was to head up the hill and into the field I went into on Sunday. It was frozen then, so I thought, I could run across the top, down through the field to the far lane and into the next village, then retrace my route! No lanes with skiddy patches and no broken limbs! However, I realised that it was really, really cold.. could the field where I did the mud run the other day, be frozen... . was it worth a look? Pace had increased now and I was enjoying the freedom of the run.
Off I trotted along the track way and into the field. Sure enough... frozen solid. Muddy peaks, solid, white edged and glistening in the sunshine. Wonderful. Hedgerows tipped with the fast melting rime, but the ground firm, bumpy, uneven, but solid. I simply ran and ran.
As the lovely poppypug said to me in a post...When Laura disappears for a while, you think she has wandered off somewhere, and who would blame her. The fields stretching away in a sparkling sea of frost, the far distance shimmering in a silvery grey haze and the sun warm on my back. Towering trees on the edge of the fields and the banks of the far ridge behind me.
There are four big fields between me and the Steam railway line, at this point, so, I ran around the perimeter of all of them! The run was not easy, as the ground was so hard, but it was amazing, the pace changes just follow on naturally, and you, quite literally take them in your stride. The absolute pleasure of being out in the countryside, nothing to prove and everything to gain. Simply breathtaking.
My run was too soon over, a final burst, to finish in style...exhilarating and satisfying; and as I walked down, across the very path which had been such a quagmire on Friday, now, still frost covered, but melting slightly, a small rabbit sprang up in front of me; either he wasn't paying attention or I was treading lightly!
So, Stamina... I love it and yes.. I think I may get hooked.
Now, those of you who know me, know this is a very short post...however; all the time I was running on the hard, frosty ground, I had this running through my head...so, with massive apologies to Christina Rossetti.. who I love and the carol which is one of my favourites...and with apologies to my lovely friends on here... I just couldn't help it!
Stamina
In the bleak midwinter, the Oldfloss took a run;
Ground was hard as iron, but there was at least, the sun.
Frost had glittered, frost on frost, almost looked like snow.
On the field on Oldfloss's run, just a few hours ago!
It's just a run like others, but a longer time
Pace is changing, slow to fast, but the beat is fine.
Laura keeps you going, murmurs in your ear;
Sometimes she seems to wander , best to keep her near.
So, if you want to try it, make sure the ground is dry
On a winter's morning, with frost and clear blue sky;
Run for all the distance, run with flying feet;
Thirty five long minutes...and now... your run's complete!
Sorryx
First Parkrun - yikes it was cold
Hard work today but I completed week 6!
