Our pal Irish-John has been having a torrid time of things... So this is for him (and anyone else who likes running adventures)
So, I haven't been out all week as it has been a work binge, trying to get the decks clear for this week's holiday in Robin Hoods Bay. So today a 5k was planned. I have walked around here a lot so had a vague route planned in my head. No idea how long this would be and Mr Wheels was fretting about me running down a steep path that was bound to be difficult after the rain, so I promised him I would be (ahem) 'sensible'.....
We are staying near the harbour so anywhere is uphill. 5minutes warm up takes me to the top of the hill and I set off at a steady (and it needs not to be said) slow jog up to the cinder path in the direction of Ravenscar.
Storm Brian is just bidding farewell to the North East of these islands and it is now dry but still blustery enough to keep a small, usually sweaty runner cool and without the startling beetroot face that must cause alarm in onlookers.
I am still listening to Stephen King and this entertains me (as the horror increases....) for the first couple of km's. The path is more undulating than my weekday track and my pace varies, depending whether I am heading uphill or down. I notice that there are quite a few branches down and at one point the path is blocked by a fallen tree. Will I be daunted by such obstacles?... Will I 'eck as like.
The cinder track is a disused railway line and I love the way that the Victorians couldn't stop themselves from adding gothic flourishes to where hardly anyone would see. Just because they could I guess. The bridges over the tracks are miniature masterpieces and now over grown and with ivy falling in tendrils from them, they are melancholy reminders of a past life. Suitably gothic for my horror story too....
Unfortunately my earphones give up the ghost (ha) at about 4k. I still haven't reached the farm track that will take me down the hill and back to the coastal path, I've nearly reached 5k and that's just as well as there is no way I can run down here, too soggy and muddy, and gritty and steep. So I pick my way down to the stream at the bottom and think I'll finish up later....
The stream, as it is in my minds eye, is a gentle little affair; running over stepping stones, gurgling pleasantly. Well, that was before Brian. Today the stepping stones are pretty much submerged and the stream is in full tilt. Well, as the Bear Hunters know; 'you can't go over it, you can't go under it, you've got to go through it'. I am bloody not going back up that hill anyway.
So should I just walk through or do stone jumping....I made a bad call and ended up on my sorry butt, in the middle of the stream. It is a funny impulse in our 21st Century life, but the immediate response to such events is to find your phone and hold it over your head!
I can only laugh at my predicament and haul myself back on to the path, dripping slightly and starting to run again as the only sensible option to keep warm. I find the lane and run down to Bogle Hole, on to the beach and 'home'. approx. 7k run I think 
Mr Wheels is amused and glad that he told me so
I hope you are better and out there again soon IJ !
This is for Irish-John....
Week 7 done..✅
Poignant Musical Moments on Your Runs
