I still have some friends on this forum; some older friends, nearing Graduation and some new friends,, just starting on their running journey... for those of you who don't know me, I ramble in my posts... and for those who do... a quick update in what is happening to me!
I have been a little haphazard on writing up some of my runs and no sensible excuse.
April has, for a lot of years, been an odd month for me. Some sad memories associated with April, have meant that I was always quite glad to see it depart. So, writing up some of my runs was hard, as I could not find the joy I have had in writing about my runs, in many of my ramblings. However, this April, towards the end of the month, some news came, which meant, my view on April has changed significantly, when our daughter and her husband told us, we are to be Grand-Parents. How scary is that? Me... loopy old me... and a new small one!!!!
Since then, my head has been everywhere; wonderful, unexpected, and scarcely dared hoped for, news, for my daughter and S-i L,( husband and I are still taking it in)...then, completing my first real 7K run... slow as it was, and then another 7.3 K on Sunday, quite unexpectedly and unintentionally. I have not known whether I am here or there. Today, I had a run, which has settled my mind, released some deep seated, inner demons, and was totally magical!
We arrived at Carsington Water CC site, in our tin- tent, a few days chilling, and the promise of a week of wall to wall sunshine,( there is torrential rain as I write). The sunshine was yesterday, when we arrived. No more now.. and going colder too! But, I digress.
Woke this morning, still sun-kissed from yesterday...( i.e. pinkish ).. after a great night's sleep, and out into the morning. I had, foolishly, imagined that I would be making this run in early sunshine, a light, cool breeze and the prospect of a leisurely cycle ride around the Reservoir later in the day. It was not quite like that.
Carsington Water has, as some of you on here know, a Dam... and even before I became a runner, having walked it and cycled it many times, I always had this image of it in my head; not a soul in sight, the sun glinting on the water, the sound of the rigging and halyards jingling on the safely moored boats, the birds winging across a clear, blue sky and me running, smoothly and effortlessly across the top of the dam.
Well, today I did it. Another milestone, a box ticked, a small dream realised.
I am not sure, if it was run smoothly or effortlessly, but it was fantastic! I warmed up with a brisk walk around the still sleeping site. An early morning dog walker nodded to me, dog stared in amazement. Then a slow start with Laura and Speed, down the hill and towards the Millfields car park, running onto the tracks leading towards the viewing area and the track across the dam towards the visitor centre. I do enjoy the Speed podcast and. as I am fancying increasing my speed slightly..it helps.
I do find that after the first couple of intervals, the slower pace feels really slow... and I glad to get back to upping the pace. I found this morning even better...It was flat for a start... running along past the water and towards the viewing area... (which always reminds me of an ancient amphitheatre), I was aware that I was running at a faster pace than Laura's counting...It was fun.
The sun was not shining, the sky was a dull slate grey, there were birds, but they were still firmly entrenched on their roosts, on the small promontory across the water, the boats were there too, bobbing and silent, but the dam was deserted! Just me, running along, high above the road, the stones and boulders dropping down to the water's edge and the road below on the other side, the ground beyond dropping away to pumping buildings? and the Otter pools. I ran, with a quick light step, with occasional bursts of speed, ever closer to the end of the dam and the tracks to the centre. My mind was running, along with my feet, all sorts of thoughts, sad, happy, confused and complex, whizzing around my brain. I felt the release and freedom of running, and by the time I reached the crossing of the car parks, I turned, light- heartedly and retraced my route. A lone dog walker had appeared, from somewhere, coming towards me, but he turned and disappeared back towards the road, leaving me with the delightful prospect of a solitary run, back across the dam. The sky now, lifting, with a hint of a break in the grey cloak of cloud, the end of the podcast and a slight detour on the way back to the site. I ran past the memorial to the workers who had lost their lives in the building of the reservoir and hopped over a stile onto the verge, before running uphill, back towards the site entrance. About twenty five minutes in all, and just over 4.5 K. It was, for me, a run and a half. Not a great distance, not a great speed, but special.
So.... after breakfast, a cycle ride around the reservoir. Eight miles of ups and downs...some quite challenging, in torrential driving rain and a chill wind blowing. Colours enhanced by the rain and sharpened in the dullness of the light, it was exhilarating, invigorating, bracing and exciting,...but could not hold a candle to my morning run!
Moral of this post.... whatever the stage of the journey you are on, you can still have dreams... and also, running is about so much more than just running! 
PS
Apologies if you read this similar post on Bridge to 10K forum
longest run ever
Xmas morning drivers
Zombies & Poodles
Runners are not chase toys.....
