Goodness, so many of us on here with or recovering from, crocked knees. It is a little like the dreaded,winter Lurgy monster that struck so many of us down. Maybe it the revenge of the pesky Gremlins, or the fact that after the long winter weather we are all so eager to get out there again that we go slightly loopy.. a little like the Spring hares!
I digress, (as usual) so, despite my recent knee issues, Sunday, saw me out for my third run since leaping. or rather stepping down, gingerly, from the IC on Tuesday last. I ran whilst away in the tin-tent, and repeated the same run on Friday. Back home and a stunning, sunny morning, so after the required quick cuppa , I was out there before the world stirred. It was glorious!
A chill in the air, but not enough to send you scurrying back indoors, the breath of Spring carried on a gentle breeze...and the track and the fields calling to me. All quiet as I left the house, the houses still tight-curtained and no sound of traffic. One of the joys for me on the warm up is the staring. I find something new every time. A new planting, shiny new paintwork on a house, a nest in the trees or shrubs. There really is a whole world out there. On Sunday, a glossy green-leaved shrub in one of the front gardens, covered with a mass of white, delicate, waxy flowers... in the sheltered corner of the garden, a magnolia, taking its chances against any frosty morning yet to come.
What was the plan.. well, to run as long as I felt like it. I had felt no ill effects from the other runs, was able to walk upstairs without hanging on the banister like a demented orang-utan, and get up from a sitting position too... ( Quite stupidly, I did the getting up from the floor thing, from the, 'How to Stay Young' programme that Juicyju posted about..) Fortunately I did it, with no dire consequences! So, run as long as I liked, as slowly as I liked, but keep it steady and gentle. I started my run, down the road to the village, past the station , but then, a new bit, run once only, before!
Through the passage behind the station and along through the back of the small estate to the far lane. There is something rather special, I feel, running through the early morning silence of the houses. Buttoned up and still, no sign of activity. cars waiting to be washed, drives waiting to be swept, weeds to be pulled and maybe lawns to be mowed, that whole Sunday feeling, hovering over the stay-in-beds. A new fence along by the stream, territory marking. I was running steadily, tapped my phone... ( I have a new arm-band holder thingie,..birthday present
and Laura kicked in with Stamina. I know... I am trying to wean myself off her!
I was breathing, easily and running easily too; keeping pace as I went up the hill , I never realised that went up so steeply..hmm and back along the main road, up the lane and past Rookery wood. Making good time and on familiar ground now, along the track to the field and into the open. Mud. Lots of it...( think Sandraj39...embrace the mud, enjoy the mud), so I squished through it happily. It slowed me down a little, but once through, I was off, over the field and over the steam railway line, ( many of you know my route as well as I do .) A bright yellow bush, shining like a sunburst over by the hidden pond and past and away to the far lane.
Now, a really weird thing was happening, I don't know if anyone has experienced this, but, it was as if my legs were, well, sort of independent of me. Yes, they were there, yes they were moving, but it was as if they did it on their own. I am making no sense at all now, I know, but it was peculiar. I wasn't having to try. I just ran! Out through the gate and to the next village before turning around. Suddenly, Laura was telling me to finish in style. Seriously? I had, I admit hardly been aware of her... and I just kept on running. Back into the far field, turning left up the hill...(from choice...I know!), along by the new copse of trees and out of the gate opposite the Steam Railway gates.Back down the lane, still running, and coming to a halt, opposite the station in the village. 6.72 K... further than I have run before I think.
I still had plenty of puff left, my legs were mine again, and I was hungry. Home, and the Sunday treat of home-made croissants and fresh coffee.
"Running teaches me that I am capable of so much more than I ever imagined"
Oh yes!
PS
Looking at the new tips on the side, I fear I need to cut short my ramblings
