...Something to do, someone to love, and something to live for.
Immanuel Kant
This post is an Oldfloss ramble...no apologies this time. It and the run should have been completed in the Spring..but Life, ...and the weather, have a habit of delaying things. It may not make sense to some of my new friends, but some of my old friends may understand. 
My post is a sequel... ( gosh that sounds quite exciting), to a post I wrote, about five months back, 'Running Alone'.
I set off this morning, early. I was a little later than Tuesday, 6.am. The temperature was a pleasant skin-warming, 17.9 degrees.
No music, no podcasts, just me, a small bottle of lemon and lime water- juice and a nectarine. A paint-box blue sky, with the odd wispy trail of white streaking away towards Derbyshire, as I set off towards the hill. No intention of speed or distance this morning. I was running for a reason and planned a gentle thirty minutes run. I jogged very slowly down the hill, keeping on the shady side of the road. All quiet , with only one or two cars. The schools break up for the Summer today, although some finished yesterday, but it is too early, even for the earliest, eager student. I love the sound my feet make in the emptiness of the morning. Steady and even, no need to hurry, time to think and reflect.
We all run for a reason. The joy and privilege of sharing some of those reasons with friends on the forum is immeasurable. Folk running, for health, for strength, for confidence, for peace , to forget, to remember, to feel, to grow. Running just because we can. My friends old and new, come with me on many of my runs, but this morning, I took, but a few, who have been with me from the beginning and know some of my closest thoughts.
Crossing the road at the station, an empty road, and luckily before the early train, straight up and past the wood. Onward and upward, no effort needed, my pace was controlled, my breathing even, despite the closeness of the air. For me, the coolness on my arms and face is a pleasure. The long, weeks before Graduation a distant and chilly thought. The thought of how I used to struggle up this hill, still makes me smile.. poppypug and Ullyrunner encouraging me in my posts, keeping me strong and determined and advising me on how to run, and what to wear for the cold, cold winter. They are still supporting me, even now. Onward, upward, past the Steam Railway station and down Shovel Hill , and along towards the next village. Face relaxed, heels lifted , fists un-clenched and thoughts whirling. The horses grazing lazily in the warming day, on the field which stretches up the ridge. The grass moist and lush after the rains of the last months. They do not even bother to raise their heads as I run by. Along the uneven path, barely a foot's width now, it is so overgrown, on past the newly finished barn dwellings.. designer-dusty stone walls and shuttered windows, adding an up-market air to the old farm. Round the square, the stocks and the old Police house with its underground cell..now used as a wine cellar, according to our its inhabitants.
Back along the lane and through the gate, into the big field. The grain is showing now on the crop, the ears golden and gently glowing in the sunshine. The warmth on my face and the sound of birds as I turn and make my way up the Dipping Pond. Last time I was here it was chilly. There was no warmth in the air then, and for a while, little warmth in my heart. Today it felt different.
The bushes and trees now, thick with growth. Small budding shrubby flowers and a fringe of grass frilled along the bottom of the protective trees. I had to push quite hard to get through to the pond. The sunlight flickering and flashing through the trees... long leaf-laden branches hanging over the pond, diamond glints glistening and gleaming on the dark water, and the fine-leafed fingers of Willows, languidly trailing in the water's depths. The air was still, no wild creatures, although I suspect they were there, hidden from view; the mossy edges of the pond filled with twisted roots and plants, and the clear water, smelling fresh and cool. Finding a spot to sit.. damp but not uncomfortable, I sat, I drank my juice, I ate my fruit and I thought my thoughts. Time, changes, new adventures, new hopes and dreams. Thoughts of my family, my friends here and their lives...our lovely Irishprincess ,and my special girl aliboo70 , here in my head and my heart, the families, the loss, the sadness, the joy, and oh, the memories Thoughts all dipping in and out and around my mind, like the moorhens of long-gone summers. Someone once said to me...Hold those you love, close to your heart, always; cherish those who love you, and love them right back. I do and I will. I went back to the Dipping Pond, later than planned, but I did, and I sat, and I smiled.
Time to head home.... out through the narrow gap and back down on to the track-way. A short, flat run to the railway line and a photo stop; a record of this day of warmth, blue skies and sunshine and the promise of future joy. Across the line and a moment of pure Floss loopiness... down towards the track to the lane, running as fast as I am able; legs moving, feet flying, arms like pistons driving me forward,..... I am Eric Liddell, in his big scene in Chariots of Fire, head back and racing to the finishing line.
Reaching my huge oak, my breath has gone, and I stop suddenly, laughing out loud at the sheer madness of what I am doing. A slow walk towards my lane, whilst I get my breath back, I can feel my heart slowing and my head clearing. The smile on my face remains. Making the lane, down the hill and a gentle amble, back home.
We all have our reasons for running, today, my reason was happiness.
Naked for 20 minutes.....The Thing!
