Lucky four leaf clover 🍀

[Flossie22]

Good morning everyone. This is a tale about a runner's route, not mine, but my younger fitter cousin's one.

One morning, as I was driving to my neighbouring town to do the weekly food shopping, I saw my gorgeous cousin running along the riverside. I was so excited that I tooted, flashed my headlights and waved at him. He looked up and gave me a dazzling smile. Oh, that's made my day, I thought. 😊 I went shopping, it took an hour, and on my way back in the car, there he was again! Granted, looking a little bit warmer than earlier, but somehow the twinkling beads across his chiselled cheek bones made him appear all the more attractive. (Can you tell I worship my young cousin?) So, I got home, put the shopping away, and telephoned him (how very old fashioned, I know!) "So tell me, where did you run? How long did you run for?" Questions, questions, and because I am his older cousin, he dutifully replied. "I ran along the river then up that hill . . ." (THAT hill!! Oh goodness, it goes on for ever, don't say it Irish-John , I know you're thinking it, but don't say it) Anyway, he descended to the riverside in a massive loop, only to go out over the river to another part of town, up, around and back, then again further around and again. I mentally mapped his route out in my mind to find that he had only gone and run a beautiful four leaf clover! 🍀

So, my question to you all is this, are any of you planning your runs so that they look like flowers or shapes or Rudolph's antlers? At the moment, mine look a little bit boring, in so far as they usually follow a river for a tiny bit and back, picture a ✅, if you will. My ambition, [she whispers], is to run up from my house (which does mean a hill, ssh!) get to the local park and attempt a mini four leaf clover of my own. Can you imagine the local villagers? "What is she doing? Why isn't she running around the perimeter of the park like everyone else? How very peculiar! Do you think she's alright? I mean, has she lost her marbles? Oh that must be it, she's looking for her lost marbles!" I would probably look like one of those excited labrador puppies who weave in and out and round and round, unable to decide where to go next! The problem is, art is not my forte, so any attempt at a four leaf clover is really totally out of the question, but it would be fun to try!

Oh and I am planning a trip to Bath next weekend. I thought I could sneak my running shoes into my bag and run up and down the Royal Crescent in an attempt to make a daisy!

Happy running everyone! 🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏻🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏻😀😀😀

[shortfatslug Graduate]

I plan my runs with ambulance access now

[Flossie22 Graduate in reply to shortfatslug]

Ha! Perhaps I should do the same! I don't know why, but I am imagining Benny Hill being chased around a field by lots of people.

[NIGHTINGALE1 Graduate]

A lovely piece of writing. My route is elliptical as I follow one side of the canal, cross over the little hump back bridge and home down the other side of the canal.

[Flossie22 Graduate in reply to NIGHTINGALE1]

Thank you. That sounds very pretty. I would like to plan a route like that next week, after graduation 🎓 😱, well hopefully I can get out this morning as planned . . . to my cannons, ta, da, da, da, da, da 😊

[Pc59 Graduate]

Loving the post you fair added a sparkle to the dark morning!! And enticed me to make sure I get out tonight maybe for a more "artistic" run😀😀will a square be ok😂x

[Flossie22 Graduate in reply to Pc59]

Thank you! A square is just perfect Pc59 , think of it as a perfect square! 😊

[Flossie22 Graduate in reply to Pc59]

Just had a thought, in Maths you have a topic called "completing the square" That's what you must do on your runs every time! 😀

[Pc59 Graduate in reply to Flossie22]

Ah but the reason my "square never complete is I only switch runkeeper on once I start & then stop running!! I don't map my warm up or down as its walking! Mind you I might next time as sure that would add another kilometre😂😂x

[Flossie22 Graduate in reply to Pc59]

Oh I'm so sorry, Pc59 I didn't mean that's what you should do in future . . . writing sometimes causes misunderstandings. What I meant was, you must be completing the square on your runs, despite the fact that it doesn't look like it! I am going to start my Garmin next time at the run point too, instead of at the very beginning of my warm up. I've just downloaded C25K +! 😊

[Pc59 Graduate in reply to Flossie22]

O don't worry I didn take offence😀I always started when I left the house but I then wanted to see distance I ran to see how I was progressing in times, not very much ha ha! But I am able to run longer to get to 5k so that is fine😊my son says to forget times just work on distance & rest will happen😊 I've just got c25k+ too so keep me updated on how you get on!! Us new grads need to stick together😊😊happy running😊🏃🏃x

[Flossie22 Graduate in reply to Pc59]

I think your son is quite right. There is a lot to be said for building up stamina and getting used to doing something, I am sure that we are getting fitter. The times aren't really relevant at the moment, are they. Let me know how you get on with C25K + too, won't you? I listened to Laura in the comfort of my own home on the first podcast, it sounds really exciting to me! Happy running to you too my lovely 😊 🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️

[Irishprincess Graduate]

Haha lovely post! I think most of my run shapes resemble the track of a demented escaped convict who's got lost but in spite of all the twists and turns still ends up back in prison ........

[Flossie22 Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

That's very funny, Irishprincess made me laugh out loud. 😂

[RunaroundSue]

My meadow, sadly now too waterlogged for running is mowed so that the paths almost resemble a four leaved clover.

But generally I zigzag all over the place, running side roads to avoid the main road, which would be fine ad the pavement is wide but it is too noisy from traffic

[Flossie22 Graduate]

Zigzagging is great! Keeps you on your toes! 😉

[AnneDroid Graduate]

I like the idea! I have sometimes looked at my Strava after a run and found myself thinking a route is pleasingly symmetrical or something. But you've taken it to a new level.

[Flossie22 Graduate in reply to AnneDroid]

Thank you AnneDroid . I think we should have a competition for the most interesting route in terms of outline. I would fail dismally, but I am going to see if I can update my latest run on here somehow.

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate in reply to Flossie22]

A tick ✔sounds like a good positive run to me Flossie. Love the idea of you running along the crescent in Bath😊

Have a lovely weekend.

.

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

😂😂😂 Haha love this Flossie..😄

Have just checked my strava and my short run (30 mins) is a kite (nice)..but my longer run is a giant pair of 'old lady' knickers.. (think Bridget Jones)..

Oh dear...now I'm going to be giggling on my longer runs..and taking Mary Poppins on my short one.😂😂😂

Great post.x

[Flossie22 Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

LOL! Bluebirdrunner ! The thing is, will anyone know that you are giggling because of the thought of your run being like a giant pair of "old lady" knickers? 😂You can have a private giggle and nobody else will know why! 😂Loved those Bridget Jones films.

[AncientMum Graduate]

What's a lovely post. This is definitely worth some thought!!

[Flossie22 Graduate in reply to AncientMum]

Thank you! I hope that you can get back to me with your interesting routes! Happy running AncientMum

[Hidden]

I used to run around lakes in circles. My current runs sort of go in a Y shape. down one side of lake from wide end to narrow. Then Veers off at about 45 degrees up then back down canal then 45 degrees back to narrower end of lake then up to Wide end of lake.

Suppose at a stretch could be called "Y" shaped. Someone made a reference to knickers so I suppose I could get away with saying my reminds me of my favourite "Y" Fronts !!

I am "Mr Baggy Pants" after all !

"Ooh you lot are awful , but I like you" !!

[Flossie22 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

LOL, LOL, "Mr Baggy Pants", and there was I thinking you looked really rather trim in your school athletics vest! I couldn't get my old gym skirt around one thigh now-a-days, but then I try to convince myself that I really was very very skinny in those days, in fact, far too skinny Ha ha! LOL

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Our courses are like 'his'and 'hers' Joe..😆😀