The pure heady cocktail of this time of the year and the sheer joy I get from my running... what a combination!
I have been running, regularly, three times a week and experimenting with lots of different running techniques, ( Posting those details on Bridge to10K forum later), but in true rambling Oldfloss style, I simply wanted to share my morning run with you. If you do not enjoy rambling posts, stop reading now.
I am away in the tin-tent again, back out at High Onn, in the middle of the glorious Staffordshire countryside. Here for a week, recharging batteries before a three week spell of building work at home.
I woke this morning to the dawn chorus, but 4 a.m. is a little early to head out for a run, even for me!
So, after the necessary cup of tea and two digestives, I eventually left the site at 6.30. All quiet, as I took a brisk ten-minute warm up walk. The April lambs have grown into sturdy and stocky youngsters and a new set of late Spring lambs are decorating the fields with their wide-eyed cuteness. On reaching the triangle at the top of the lane, I turned and began my run. Laura and Stamina this morning...( Speed on standby too), just loud enough for me to hear, but not so loud as to shut out the sounds of the morning. I have used this C25K+ podcast so often I know it by heart. But, because I am trying to increase distance and speed, I find the reassuring voice and instruction works; not for everyone, but it does for me.
A gentle start.. steady and not too difficult, first five minutes always a bit of a trial, but because it was downhill.. easier.. then a different route, as I turned left, along Sweetwater Lane. Aptly named as it turned out; the hedges laden with leaf and burdened with blossom. The Hawthorn, literally dripping with the thick, clotted-cream May, and the early morning air, heavy, with the sweetness of cow-parsley. As I ran I followed the instructions, heels roundly, lifting, and the steady powering of my arms and the driving of my knees. Into a strong rhythm now, as I headed out towards the turning point... Fields stretching away on both sides, The Wrekin, blue haze, in the far distance and great balls of white cloud gathering in a cotton wool cluster, in a huge sky-blue bowl. On I went, past the turn , past a still and silent pond, moss-edged and green, and before I knew it, I was long way out and Stamina was ending, but instead of walking I clicked to Speed as I turned and began my homeward run. Plenty of energy and the rare treat of running on almost flat terrain, I used this podcast, now, to help me with my speed and lengthening my stride. It was very enjoyable as I retraced my route and headed past the turn for the site, and ran on still. Past all the green, the colours and the May, scents, sights and sounds, fuelling my run and feeding my soul.
I was not aware of feeling any kind of tiredness, but at Little Onn Hall, thought I needed to turn back; the intervals are fun and when I am into the podcast, I find the slower speed tricky, as I am very settled at the slightly faster pace. I turned back along Sweetwater lane and back up the turn and the lane back to the site. Stamina finished now, but I kept running. Slower now, up the long, but slight incline back to my tin tent. A final burst of speed heading back down the back of the site and stopped. The longest I have ever run properly, without stopping, very slow indeed, but nevertheless 8K, in 63 minutes. I was quite pleased. A beautiful run, to delight the senses, free the mind and lift the heart.
So... a great start to my day. It went slightly downhill later when, after a pleasant long cycle ride with my husband this afternoon, a gust of wind, preceding the rain filled front, that was heading towards us,( which is now on top of us), took my husband sideways and took me off my bike. He managed to stay on his bike, I hit the floor, fairly hard... so, two skinned knees, two chunks out of my right hand knuckles, bruised and a tad battered, and somehow, managed to skin my chin and bash my ribs...( think that was my bike landing on me). But... still standing... and still smiling
As my quote says... "It's fine...I ran today".
Boy, did I run
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The Hawthorn literally dripping with Clotted cream May..... Oh Floss your way with words is just stunning😍😍😍😍😍 so sorry about the tumble later - hope it all heals super quick xx
It was lovely... but not the fall. I ache right now and could do with a hot bath..but not possible... mind over matter, I shall focus on my lovely run!
Oldfloss , we really are soul-mates, but you don't have to copy me by skinning your knees and hurting your hand. Your fall sounds worse than mine, so I'm sending healing vibes over and I hope you don't feel too battered tomorrow. It's a bit of a shock to find yourself on the ground, isn't it? My first instinct is just to get up and go, claiming I'm perfectly alright. It's only at home that things start to hurt and I discover what damage has actually been done
I had to laugh at your time for an 8k as well - that's EXACTLY what I ran on Sunday.
Anyway I hope you heal really quickly and your fall doesn't stop your running adventures. We all love your descriptions.
I have to say I am stiffening up..we had to cycle back six miles.I was fine..more concerned with breaking my new glasses.!
My knuckles hurt most currently! I just kept saying I was fine..probably to convince myself! I have fallen before, last year in France...but it is a lot different than when I was a child☺
My knees were pretty colourful. And I didn't run for a couple of days, partly because I was stiff - and partly because I was a bit scared. But all healing very nicely now. It is reassuring though that we don't break anything on our falls, I hope it means our bones are strong!
My right knee is a great red and purple already...never occurred to me I might breaks anything... my husband mentioned broken hips eeek!!!! I was glad to still be able to stand. We had to sort out my handlebars and my back bike carrier has broken :(...still, as we say on here.. onwards and upwards... but gently I think...!
The two of you, JaySeeSkinny and Oldfloss , are probably unbreakable!
"Weight-bearing exercise (such as running ) and resistance exercise are particularly important for improving bone density and helping to prevent osteoporosis." Source: NHS Choices website
Ouch, Oldfloss, I hope you haven't hurt yourself too badly!
The run sounds amazing. Thanks for giving us a tour if the Staffordshire countryside.
I wish I could observe things like you do when you run, but I usually don't see anything or anybody because I'm so wrapped up in the running itself.
In Greece I purposely concentrated on the surroundings when I ran, but here in my own neighborhood, I'm not sufficiently distracted or something... Solution? Perhaps I just need to go on vacation a bit more often...
Retirement age for people of my age is 69 or older in Denmark. I find it hard to believe that I can keep doing what I do now for that long - let alone enjoying it...
Lovely descriptions, as always, thank you Floss......very well done on running 8k, sounded like a fantastic run! I also use the speed and stamina podcasts. I find the instructions and style suggestions very helpful and a good reminder (when Laura says about stretching and relaxing arms I always have to do it - whether I feel tense or not!). Like you I usually play one of the podcasts and then when it finishes just continue running - see my post in Bridge to 10k (exciting run today!!). All the best
oh no! Sorry about your fall, but super well done for running over an hour! Your run sounded great and I hope your accident doesn't delay your next run..
Thanks.x Time is okay for me..it is just how far I get..But I building up slowly.I always have two days rest after a long run..so going to try to get on my bike again today☺if I can bend my knuckles..and keep moving😏
well the longest I have run for is 49 minutes, so over an hour is a milestone I have yet to reach! I haven't done 8 k yet either so I am impressed, I am feeling like my own running is getting easier, but I'm getting slower but never mind its all good, and hope you manage your cycle!
Re the fall, ouchy ouchy indeed, make sure you've deeply cleaned all those wounds and grazes. I'd also suggest a large Brandy (just for the shock of course).
You take care of yourself out there lady! [wags finger sternly] & get those bumps healed properly. Xx
Thanks..I have used them before together..but not made the distance..it interests me that changes in stride length and other factors like gradient and elevation affect how far we run.
I am battered,cannot deny it..bit of a restless night my knuckles are not pretty..and some twinges.I was lucky.☺Not as bouncy as I used to be.
It is a rest day today and tomorrow for me..so will try for a cycle ride to stay loose.The wind has dropped again..so, if I can grip the handles..I will be out there.
I will take it,as we always say..slow and steadyxx
Floss! Another great post from yourself! Sorry to hear about your spill off the bike, maybe some stabiliser's would help!😁 only minor scrapes though, your made of tough stuff! one of England's finest!😊
I am not very heavy..9st 4 currently😏 Yes..a bit sore..but hoping for a cycle ride tonorrow..knuckles hurting when I bent them today😩 and a gentle joggette as you call it...on Friday!
Ouch! I haven't fallen off my bike since I was a kid, but I remember it hurt - a lot! Your run sounds lovely, I am going to try early morning runs as I think I would love the quiet.
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I ran for a whole HOUR today!
Today I ran for 30 minutes!
I ran WITH the Wizard!
Ran my first post-grad today - was great.
