W8R1 - change of scenery.

[giddyaunts]

Well for the first time since starting C25K I didn't feel like running today, got up with a horrible sore throat and muggy head, but decided to just go do it anyway. Have to say Banana worked ate one about half an hour before I went out this morning and it definitely did the trick.

Anyway, today I thought I'd change my route completely and much kudos to those of you who regularly run off road. I plumbed for the canal towpath for a change and it was fine for the first maybe half a mile, nice and smooth, flat (thankfully) and easy going, well what came next was a bit of an eye opener! Mud, mud, glorious mud, might be great for hippo's but I found it tough going, not only mud but undulating, uneven ground, stones, tree roots and all manner of obstacles to navigate, BUT, it did make for an interesting run, lots of wildlife once I was off the main dog walking track, had to say hi to a few ducks/geese and sheep in the field (any one else do that?) a few of them even said hi back and I noticed no jarring on my knees or back, but I think I might leave the mud wrestling to you hardier more seasoned runners. At least today I didn't have to suffer the local parks guys comments and it was quite refreshing to run in the wild so to speak.

Just back, and thinking to myself 'you know I really might be able to make it to that podium!' Even my daughters are amazed that their run phobic mother is actually doing this.

[Now-runner_NeedsAttn Graduate]

One of the things I was worried about before my first Park Run was not being on the asphalt I was used to but I found I preferred running on a varied surface. Gone was the plod, plod, plod of grinding through C25K, now there was a skip in my step as I varied my stride to cope with roots, potholes and mud.

[giddyaunts Graduate in reply to Now-runner_NeedsAttn]

Thanks Now-runner_NeedsAttn love the name change by the way

Nope I much prefer the plod, plod, plod of the tarmac, nice easy stride and nothing to alter that, but I can definitely see the benefit of a change of scenery.

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Oh my giddyaunts.. (see what I did there😆) you did have an adventure today...

That run is done now..and as you say it was a refreshing change.

I did one of my runs cross country last summer and enjoyed it. The ground was baked hard though and although rutted it doesn't really throw you off balance as you are moving quickly. I saw a deer and like you felt like a gazelle skipping through the fields...😄

Glad that you enjoyed your run today, keep going and amazing your daughters. xxx

[giddyaunts Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks Bluebirdrunner ha ha yes I like what you did there and yes it was a wee adventure for sure, can't say I've ever felt like a gazelle though - more baby elephant and about as graceful!

But I did enjoy it and will definitely amaze my daughters! To be fair they have been a huge encouragement to me, they are very impressed I can now run for 28 minutes non stop. Not as amazed as me for sure though x x

[CJ24 Graduate]

Giddyaunts you've made my day. I completed W8R3 earlier this morning but boy was it hard. For the very first time during the C25K I wasn’t in the mood for a run, I found it hard going for most of the run if I'm honest and, I have been mithering about it all day.

Having read your post I have concluded that I really must be human after all (!) and, these emotions are normal and useful. I have given myself a good talking to and decided to put this run behind me as I enter my final week of jubilee! Keep going everyone it REALLY IS worth it.