Well, at about 6am I woke up and my first thought was “I must go out for a run!” I then calculated at what time I had to start work (8am) and could I get up, ready and back in time? I decided that was a definite yes. So, I faffed about for what seemed like an age, finding appropriate things to wear.
You see, this was my first ever run “outside”. I checked the weather forecast and the outdoor temperature – hmm, a chilly 2 degrees. Ah well, I popped my head outside my door, “Gosh! Yes, rather bracing!” I popped back inside. What could I wear then? Ah ha, I have ¾ length running trousers, fine, a short sleeved run top, fine, a long sleeved top as a layer, good, but what about my head and hands? So I decided to don my little black beanie hat (not very fetching) that I sometimes wear rowing on cold morning and a pair of red gloves. Just about to put my phone on when, oh no, low battery, I can’t run without Laura, not on my first run, I have no idea how far I need to go, despite wearing my new Garmin (new toy that arrived last night). So I then sat and waited patiently for my phone to increase to 15%. That should be enough, I thought, hopefully. Mind you, I did pop out now and then to try to get the GPS sorted on my Garmin, but it wasn’t playing ball.
Anyway, I began my “run” at about 6:45 (yes, it took this long to faff about). I began my warm up walk down my little hill, with a ridiculous cheesy grin on my face. It was dawn. I was outside. Everyone seemed to be asleep still. Halfway down the hill, my watch vibrated, I looked down to see that I had a GPS signal, so maybe it’s the trees, perhaps where I am is too remote? Anyway, I pressed the start button and smiled again as it began to record my route.
I decided to run down towards a tributary of the Thames. As I came to a little bridge it said “warning, no vehicle over 2 tonnes” Hmm, I contemplated this for a little bit, laughing to myself, and decided to chance it! I ran over the bridge to see a cob upstream and a pen downstream in the mist that was hanging over the river. “A lover’s tiff” I thought. The trees looked incredible, there were light greens, dark greens, oranges, browns, russets. I then ran past a field with horses in, the mist was still hanging slightly above the ground. Ah yes, those lovely horses that also go trotting along this route I am on, but leave their rather large messages on the ground. I dodge and weave around one particular section, wondering if perhaps a car had frightened the poor horse at the time.
All of a sudden, Laura tells me I’m half way through my run! No, I can’t be, surely not, I haven’t even thought about my breathing! I must be going too slowly. So I went on a bit further, then turned back. At this point, I am still looking in awe at the trees, a stunning white mansion on a hill, the horses in the field and the joy of being alive in this moment is quite overwhelming.
I continue on my run but why is it that Laura says to me “you’ve got one minute left, go for it!” just as I hit the bottom of a little hill? That sort of thing didn’t happen when I was at a constant 1.5% on the treadmill. But it just made me grin more broadly as I attacked the little so and so and got to the top (eventually). Crossing the road, I went on up and Laura announces “well, that’s your 25 minutes done, you can go to a brisk walk now”. “What? Finished already? But I can’t be, it’s too soon!” OK, so I ran a little bit longer, then did as she said and went to a brisk walk. I then decided as I came to a main road, to run again for a bit, as I wasn’t sure what the time was, and I didn’t want to be late for work! Then a brisk walk up my little hill to home and to my astonishment it was only about 7:20am.
So basically, after all this, all I want to say is, thank you, a big THANK YOU, to all of you who got me out there. I am converted! 
The great outdoors! I did it!! 
I am a runner, and runners RUN 💪
I am officially a runner :)
Forgive me runners for I have sinned
Week 9 Run 3- I've graduated- I am a runner now!
