Gazelle's ,goats, brambles, bullocks, & kissing gates.

[ChunkyMonkey]

Weather this morning grey, muggy, misty & drizzling and after Mondays storms which brought down two more branches across the path not a breath of wind. At least it's not thick fog like yesterday. I slept badly & woke with a headache & sore throat but was determined I was going! My trainers are still damp from Monday-nice - not!. Jo tells me that some days you run like a gazelle (ha I'm still waiting for one of those....) and others you have legs of lead, with no rhyme or reason why. Today was definitely a lead day & not just my legs!! No jack russell or labradoodle men this morning or for the last few days; I think they must wait will it's a bit lighter now. Five minutes in - this is hard going today.... 10 minutes in and I rip my arm on a bramble at shoulder height - ouch, aargh! I've added some new tunes to my playlist this week for variety - a bit of cheesy pop, and I overlay the words with my own lyrics 'you can, you will, you can, you will - come on, you can do this, you will do this, aaahhh' I don't actually know if I do this out loud or in my head - good job I live in the country!! Then Mcfly start singing about five colours which got me thinking about Jancanrun's colour chart & wondering if my running rosso red face is clashing with my orange vest... all of this was distraction to get me up the hill. Talking of hills, in preparation for the 5k challenge this week I took a look at the MapMyRun results that I've recorded but not analysed for the last couple of weeks - it looks like I live in the alps - am I therefore a mountain goat 🐐, not a gazelle? I am a chuffed Chunky Monkey though, as it turns out that I'm not such a close relative of Brian the snail 🐌 as I thought - but that can wait till run 3; that's the one that counts!! The long and short of it is that I did complete the run, with much puffing & panting. I tackled the kissing gate, the bullocks are behind me, and another kissing gate for good measure (this one with a catch which was interesting ....).& finished my run on an access road, followed by a hilly walk home, drenched, tired, but satisfied. One to go - wish me luck 🤞😳🐒

[misswobble Graduate]

Lovely report! I make up replies to songs to amuse myself. The time just flies by doesn't it when you occupy your time with anything but the actual running

The other day on a run I came across some kids with their parents and they were squealing with delight at their "very first kissing gate" Can we kiss it mummy, can we, can we" Aw bless em

Good luck!

[ChunkyMonkey Graduate in reply to misswobble]

Thank you. It's been a challenge & an adventure - 'fun' in a strange sort of way - but very satisfying. I would not have got this far without the app & the wonderful support from this community. You are all helping me through on bad days & running alongside on good 🏃🏻‍♀️🐒

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Great report! My kind of running ramble

I loved the title...not the bullocks bit though!!! Just keep it slow and steady and make it to the podium in one piece... ( bullocks permitting)

Go you!

[ChunkyMonkey Graduate]

Ahh - thank you. I'm very lucky to live in such a beautiful place - despite the hills!! Running a circuit that I've walked for over 40 years has been interesting..... definitely noticing the undulations more. Oh & the bullocks are fine honestly 🤠 you can hardly cross a field footpath round here without encountering them 🐮

[bareliz]

Sounds like you had a great run! Yes you leave Brian the Snail alone, he's my companion . Well mountain goats sound brilliant, sure and nimble of foot over rough terrain, just what you need. So glad you're doing well and so near that podium. Make sure the others have brought in more supplies (of red wine, of course) as from what I hear the party is already in full swing. See you there soon (I hope)!

[ChunkyMonkey Graduate in reply to bareliz]

Looking forward to it!! And I will see you there, complete with your mate Brian 🐌!!!! Does he like red 🍷?? 😁🐒

[bareliz in reply to ChunkyMonkey]

He does indeed. My only worry is that he'll get there before me and have my share!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

****ing gates, don't you just love 'em.

Bullocks decided to get frisky yesterday, surrounding three of us as we walked through their field. The only unnerving bit was them following us down a very steep hill, when their stopping distance is not very short.

We survived.

Stuff wet shoes with newspaper to dry them out quickly.

[ChunkyMonkey Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Great tip thank you. So far my bullocks have only looked at me curiously and stepped back (I don't blame them at all!!) By that time in the run I'd be in no state to out run them.

Perhaps there should be additional signs on gates - as well as 'bull in field' how about 'caution- bovines with dodgy brakes'!! Glad you got out unscathed 😳🐒

[Hidden]

Chunky Monkey, the glasses are ready, the wine is bought well the first lot had been and then we had to send out for some more, so when the lorry arrives and we unload the pallets, I feel sure there's some left for you! BTW for avoidance of any doubt running rosso is in fact a perfect match for outstanding orange. We wouldn't let you be a clashing runner!

You've got a foot and a toe on the podium - did I tell you Podium also happens to be the name of a rather nice white wine here? Good luck and I can't wait to celebrate your graduation.

[ChunkyMonkey Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Great news - I'm partial to a drop of white - icy cold after my run would be nice - but I have to go to work - so can you chill the podium ready for the evening please??...... 👌🐒

[Hidden in reply to ChunkyMonkey]

Consider it done🥂🍾