This run is brought to you by ... ice, mud and... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

132,331 members β€’ 158,509 posts

This run is brought to you by ... ice, mud and hot flushes πŸ˜₯ ... oh, and my bra πŸ€¦πŸ»β€β™€οΈ

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate
β€’82 Replies

My first run in 12 days due to being crazy busy (750+ miles travelled up and down the country in the snow last weekend to move daughter into her new home, then snow / ice confining us all to barracks)..!! Starting ju-ju- 's 10 is the magic number has, regrettably, been 'paused' πŸ˜”

The only thing keeping the black dog from my heels of late has been the purchase of my new (to me) car this week. I'd been looking for her for over a year πŸ€— I couldn't run to feel good, but driving (with very loud music) has helped..!!

I seized the opportunity to get out at lunch time today ... squeezed myself into the appropriate support attire and did my stretches ... just as it started to sleet ... and rain ... a lot ... in fact, MORE than a lot..!!

Hat... I was going to need a hat (purple hair requires much rain proofing), but I'm a bit weird with hats ... on 2 occasions I have been 'trapped' (yes, I did say TRAPPED) in a hat and panic attacks have ensued (much to the jaw dropping amazement of those who were with me at the time) πŸ€¦πŸ»β€β™€οΈ Baseball cap... that'll do nicely... even though the bright yellow colour made me look like some 'special kind of sunshine' πŸ™„

Decided to head to the park... less ice but more mud... thought about the big penis run icklegui but it's on main roads with no paths - it's a 'must do' but I'll save it for a quieter time πŸ˜‰

Warm up walk to the park was bloody treacherous, still so much thick ice on the paths... I had to keep to the grass verges, but they had turned to slippery mud from everyone else walking on them. This is where I had a bit of a slide... you know, the ones where you let out a girly squeal as you throw your arms round like a windmill whilst doing the riverdance with your feet ... followed by a quick look round to make sure nobody saw πŸ™ˆ

Further down the path, a guy was heading towards me pushing his bicycle (wise move), but he changed his course before I got a chance to (chivalry, clearly, isn't dead). He moved to the centre of the path where the ice was really thick... with his feet planted firmly on the ice, he and his bike slid quickly (but gracefully) by as I gave him a grateful 'thank you' whilst stifling my laughter. I then realised he was probably having the time of his life as I got the whiff of his spliff πŸ˜‚ I inhaled deeply (😝) and continued to the park.

Once there I was confronted with the choice of an ice laden downhill path or a muddy, sodden farmer's field... I chose the field 😳 Sarah gave me her usual cheery "Off you go" (no, I still can't let her go - she is my buddy and stalwart timekeeper) and off I went, ploughing my way through water, slush and mud.

It was 3 degress, hammering down with rain and my feet were already cold and squelchy ... but, bloody hell, it felt so good to be out there again..!! I can't believe how much I'd missed it.

It was futile trying to hop around the mud and puddles, I just concentrated on avoiding the ice.

I'd chosen 'The Cure' to join me on my run - it proved and excellent choice as, apart from the birds, there wasn't another living soul in sight. You know what that means....

*Gasping* "..... wonderfully wonderfully pretty ..... I'd do anything for you ..... should have each other to tea ..... we should have each other with cream ..... curl up by the fire ..... sleep for awhile ..... "

Shrieking the words out, reminiscent to that of a 'Love Cat' (if you get my drift πŸ˜‰), I was in a comfortable steady place and I felt goooood ☺️ ... but, hey, birds ... !!! Come backkk ... !!! "..... it's the grooviest thing ..... it's the perfect dream ..... "

15 minutes in and I was feeling a bit warm (that internal hormonal furnace being ignited, glorious bloody hot flush feeling)..!! I slipped my running jacket off and tied it round my waste.

20 minutes in and my legs were really beginning to tire - and the fact my feet had soaked up half the park really wasn't helping the situation. I needed to dig down a bit here. I'd set up The Cure's playlist with 9 tracks over 31 minutes and I WASN'T going to stop until that playlist finished..!! 😠

Internal furnace really was getting too much to tolerate ... as I'd not seen another human in the park, and I was 2/3 of the way round, I figured the odds were in favour of me whipping my top off and not being spotted πŸ™„ My sports bra is quite robust, there's no fear of escaping pendulous jigglies..!! πŸ˜±πŸ™ˆ I took a walk across the ice encrusted wooden bridge (a 60 meter death trap at the best of times) whilst wrestling my top off and tying that, too, round my waist.

So - in 3 degrees, pi$$ing rain, with feet and legs plastered in mud, half my clothes slung round my middle, in my purple Brooks Juno bra, sunny yellow baseball cap, an exposed wobbly body that had turned a gorgeous shade of Piglet pink and half gasping / half wailing ...

" ..... I'll run around in circles 'til I run out of breath ..... I'll eat you all up ..... Or I'll just hug you to death ..... You're so wonderful ..... Too good to be true ..... You make me ..... make me hungry for you ..... "

...... a man appears from behind the hazel trees walking a dog lead (no dog anywhere to be seen, just a lead)..!! 😳 I didn't make eye contact but, for the first time on any of my runs, I prayed that my dripping snot nose drew the focus of his attention πŸ€¦πŸ»β€β™€οΈ ... and then ran on a bit faster ...

I made the 30 minutes, regained some modesty, and slid my way home.

Strava told me that I'd run faster than MapMyRun was reporting, so Strava is my new best friend πŸ˜‰

After a 12 day absence (and 10 days prior to that due to illness), I had been dreading this run. It wasn't easy and, believe me, it wasn't pretty - most of them aren't, but I slothed my way round and was pleasantly surprised that I'd not turned to a gelatinous mess... happy days πŸ€—

We've been badly affected by the recent weather, but I hope that you're all now able to get your running shoes on again.

Happy running my lovelies - tread carefully out there 😘

Written by
HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheClouds
Graduate
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
82 Replies
β€’
ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate

This is a fabulous read!!! That run sounds like an adventure- as all runs should be. Well done you - and I’m going to get The Cure on Spotify, thanks for the lyrics, brings it all back!!!

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to ju-ju-

Haha, thank you lovely πŸ˜‚

Ooh yes, you must - a running playlist isn't complete without them (just unfortunate that I'm old enough to remember the release of that particular album πŸ™„

Awesome post - hilarious to read as ever!!!! Well done on the run!!

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to

Sorry, lovely, just realised I’d neglected to reply to you πŸ€¦πŸ»β€β™€οΈ

Thank you, you should try running with me some time... it’s even more hilarious..!! 🀣

icklegui profile image
ickleguiGraduate

I LOVE your posts.

I especially like that now I'm associated with the words "big penis run"!!!

And go you - singing, stripping and all! Sounds like a spectacular return to running :D

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to icklegui

Haha, sorry - should have kept that one quiet πŸ™Š I wouldn't want to tarnish anyone's reputation πŸ™ˆ

Yes, and I thought it was going to be a boring run πŸ™„

icklegui profile image
ickleguiGraduate in reply to HeadInTheClouds

have you had any boring runs?!

Also ... reputation ... the only thing I'm thinking of is how on earth I would top your anatomically illustrative run ... been staring at a local map but there's nothing as ... ahem ... inspiring!

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to icklegui

One or two πŸ˜‚

Pahaha, you can join me and run round my big penis if you like ..?? πŸ€—πŸ˜‚

icklegui profile image
ickleguiGraduate in reply to HeadInTheClouds

aaaaaaaaaah I am creasing up, I wonder if all this laughing counts as rest-day exercise!

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to icklegui

Of course it is, it's building core strength ... πŸ˜±πŸ€¦πŸ»β€β™€οΈπŸ™Š

icklegui profile image
ickleguiGraduate in reply to HeadInTheClouds

I didn't want to mention any of this terribly inappropriate* chat on another thread but I've just seen you refer to practice runs as "alternative" runs and creased up again ... if a practice is an "alternative" run what on earth would this count as ... O_O 🀣

*hilariously inappropriate

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to icklegui

That, my lovely, is a very well observed and fair comment.... to which I have no bloody answer to πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

icklegui profile image
ickleguiGraduate in reply to HeadInTheClouds

oh wait i've got it - it'd be like life drawing - life running?

... no wait ....

Anatomically Representative Serious Exercise ...?

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to icklegui

Anatomically Representative Serious Exercise

..Acronym..

ARSE

πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

Bridget007 profile image
Bridget007Graduate

You are hilarious πŸ˜‚ It was the man with just a lead and no dog that had me really laughing πŸ˜‚ 🀣glad you had a great run xx

icklegui profile image
ickleguiGraduate in reply to Bridget007

aaaah this post keeps on giving - I was shaking with laughter and sympathy by this point and didn't notice the man just had a lead!

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to icklegui

πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to Bridget007

If I'd not been in my bra I would have offered to help him look for his dog (not that he gave the impression he'd lost it) 😳

There are some odd people around here πŸ˜‚

Maddee_6333 profile image
Maddee_6333Graduate

So much joy!

I too have known the urge to whip my shirt off in freezing weather while in the grip of a hot flush, alas I’ve always been with other runners - albeit in the dark - and never actually been brave enough to do it.

Glad you made it home safely. Hope you can get back on the 10K trail soon.

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to Maddee_6333

Ooh, it was a 'do or die' situation. If I'd not done that I think I may have jumped in the reservoir instead πŸ™ˆ

Bloody menopause..!! πŸ™„

Thank you, lovely 😊

Maddee_6333 profile image
Maddee_6333Graduate in reply to HeadInTheClouds

πŸ‘

SaskAlliecat profile image
SaskAlliecatGraduate

You paint such a vivid picture πŸ˜‚. I'm so glad we got to run with you...... brought sunshine to my gray, gloomy day. My family is looking at me funny as I sit here chuckling to myself. I just can't explain it to them πŸ˜†

I'm thinking you may've taken more than a whiff and perhaps followed bike guy for awhile, inhaling deeply, resulting in a peeling of said clothes 😳🀣

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to SaskAlliecat

I'm glad I brought my 'special kind of sunshine' to your day πŸ˜‚

If it hadn't have been so icy, I think I may have followed him for a while... but clearly I don't need to be stoned to throw off my clothes πŸ˜±πŸ˜±πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

rolysmate profile image
rolysmateGraduate

Oh that large inhalation of your cycling friends spliff seemed to work wonders, surely there will be reports of this on the evening news after the poor dog lead walker reports his narrow escape to the local constabulary.

Though would any police photofit artist be able to come up a true impression, my goodness just to see that picture

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to rolysmate

Hahahaha, can you imagine..?? ... actually no, NO, don't imagine... it'll put you right off your Horlicks...!!!

rolysmate profile image
rolysmateGraduate in reply to HeadInTheClouds

Lol this little old pot bellied running machine, stumbling through the streets has sympathy for you, though thankfully I've been able to abandon the sports bra now as my man boobs are now less jiggley

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to rolysmate

Hahaha, I thought you were talking about me then... until you said 'less jiggley'

Then I feared you must be the man in the park walking his dog lead...!!!! Haha..!!

rolysmate profile image
rolysmateGraduate in reply to HeadInTheClouds

Even if I was I don't think I'd admit it lol

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to rolysmate

Pahaha...!!!! πŸ˜‚

rolysmate profile image
rolysmateGraduate in reply to HeadInTheClouds

tried to post a video of myself from last night running through the town draped in Christmas lights but for some reason cannot get it to upload

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to rolysmate

Now THAT I would love to see..!!

You'll have to do it again and try to uploadit ;)

rolysmate profile image
rolysmateGraduate in reply to rolysmate

Oh and I never even asked how you knew what a spliff smells like hahahahaha

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to rolysmate

Ah, buddy, we were all young once πŸ˜‰ ...

rolysmate profile image
rolysmateGraduate in reply to HeadInTheClouds

hahahahahaha

rolysmate profile image
rolysmateGraduate in reply to HeadInTheClouds

and we thought we'd invented it lol

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to rolysmate

Did we not..?? πŸ˜‚

rolysmate profile image
rolysmateGraduate in reply to HeadInTheClouds

oh I have always been very shy and retiring oh and your check is in the post pmsl

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to rolysmate

Yeah

Yeah

Yeah

πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

Fishypieface profile image
FishypiefaceGraduate

'Hand in hand is the only way to land, always the right way round'. Bloody love The Cure, one of my all time favs... Love listening to them on vinyl, brings those days rushing back, very atmospheric.

Sounds like you ran a messy, muddy, drug-induced, topless blinder me dear! How come you get all the fun?!! Well done on getting back out there in such style, awesome stuff, go you!! :)

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to Fishypieface

"Not broken in pieces, like hated little meeces, how could we miss ... someone as dumb as thisssss"

Although there are some 'old days' I wouldn't care to come rushing back πŸ˜‚

I did have a chuckle today, but it's just the little things 😊

You have fun too, with all your lurid characters πŸ˜‚ Told you before, we should hit the road together..!! πŸ˜‚

Xx

mrrun profile image
mrrunGraduate in reply to HeadInTheClouds

You rolled stoned. That's class, and perhaps should even be compulsory but only on ice, to add to the fun!

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to mrrun

Haha, let's do it..!! πŸ˜‚

Fishypieface profile image
FishypiefaceGraduate in reply to HeadInTheClouds

Would love to, that would be my best run yet!! But there’s no way I’m getting my kit off ... the world is NOT ready to see that... ever!! 😳😜🀣

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to Fishypieface

Ok, we shall keep our jigglies under wraps 🀣🀣

Fishypieface profile image
FishypiefaceGraduate in reply to HeadInTheClouds

More of a flap/slap than a jiggle if I’m honest 🀣🀣πŸ€ͺ

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to Fishypieface

Oh God, we’d definitely need to keep them under wraps... with us both flap/slapping, everyone will think we’re giving them a round of applause πŸ˜±πŸ˜‚πŸ€£

Fishypieface profile image
FishypiefaceGraduate in reply to HeadInTheClouds

πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

Oh, my, that had me in stitches. A run of fire and ice with a drug trip thrown in. That was positively surreal. I dont have half as much fun on my runs!

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to

It seems every time I go out running lately, I run through a fog of cannabis. It's like being in Amsterdam..!!

Look for the simplest things... they always make me laugh πŸ˜‚

in reply to HeadInTheClouds

There’s a lot of it about. I ran past a whiff in the centre of Chipping Norton the other day.

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to

Crikey, in Chipping Norton..?? There's no hope for the rest of us then..!!

in reply to HeadInTheClouds

πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

It’s probably the influx of ex East Oxford incomers .

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to

Carry a bottle of water with you so you can 'extinguish' them πŸ˜‰πŸ˜‚

in reply to HeadInTheClouds

Im the woman who created blue Strava spaghetti by running round my living room, so I dont think I have the right to extinguish someone else’s madness πŸ˜‚

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to

THAT is a very good point...!!! πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

in reply to HeadInTheClouds

πŸ˜‰

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Oh my.. what a post .. what a run... go you....!!! Absolutely brilliant...!!! I feel a cartoon drawing coming on .... !!!!

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to Oldfloss

It was a bit of a giggle... who'd have thought this running lark could be so enlightening πŸ˜‚

Haha, cartoon drawing sounds epic..!!

Elfe5 profile image
Elfe5Graduate

Hahaha! My family are giving me strange looks wondering why I am laughing. Great post thanks- my sympathy on the Piglet Pink - I know all about that!!πŸ˜€

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to Elfe5

Haha πŸ˜‚

To be fair, it's quite a nice colour - but not when I look like piglet too πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate

Oh, HITC. *Shakes head whilst shaking with laughter*. Glad you had a "fun" run. In your bra, too. You are my heroine. And bloody hell, 31 mins of running is fab. Sometimes a while off can actually improve your running, I fink. (PS I have a penis-shaped run from my early C25K days. Would post it, but this is not THAT kind of forum. πŸ˜ƒ)

Sadie-runs xx

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to Sadie-runs

Haha, it was bra running or die from a hot flush πŸ˜‚ I did much better than I thought I would, so I’m pleased 😊 Considering I only saw 2 people, it was pretty eventful 🀣

Haha - after IannodaTruffe posted the picture challenge the other day, I went to plan a route on the map and discovered I live in the middle of a rather large, very obvious penis πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

XxX

quirkybee profile image
quirkybeeGraduate

Aww, fab post there, head in the clouds. It was like reading an exciting novel. You did it though, went out there and did it. As for the flushes, say no more, having those too often lately and the wave of nausea..... say no more, lol πŸ™„πŸ€£ Well done lovely xx

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to quirkybee

Haha, thank you lovely ... and I thought it was going to be a boring run πŸ˜†

Awww, this crazy hormone malarkey sucks doesn’t it..??!!?? I’ll be glad when they finally bugger off and leave me alone πŸ˜‚ xx

quirkybee profile image
quirkybeeGraduate in reply to HeadInTheClouds

Oh I know, believe me, lol. I see folk walking around with thick coats and hats on and there's me in a short sleeved top wiping streams of perspiration off me forehead 🀣🀣 and that's before a run 🀣

We'll get there, we will fight this, united we stand lovely 😁 xx

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to quirkybee

Hahaha, not pretty is it..?? πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

Over 2 bloody years of ever changing (annoying and often surprising) symptoms. I feel sorry for those who have to live with us. Thank goodness I have the most laid back husband on the planet - although I’m not sure how he’s still alive to be honest 🀣🀣

Definitely united we stand (usually like this ... πŸ€ͺπŸ€ͺ) πŸ˜‚ xx

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

Sounds like you enjoyed your run 😁

Here’s to the next one πŸ˜ƒπŸ‘πŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸ˜Έ

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to misswobble

It was better than I anticipated, to be fair πŸ˜†

Yes, hopefully without ice, mud and bras πŸ˜‰

Zandy21 profile image
Zandy21

You've had me in stitches all the way! I always know if I have a bad run// embarrassing moment I can come over here and someone will put it in perspective for me. It's usually you :)

I've just started making my own run playlists and "Love Cats" features on the first. So great to run to.

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to Zandy21

Haha, thank you lovely, you’ll often find a party going on over here (one β€˜crazy’ starts it and they all join in πŸ˜‚).

A bad run / embarrassing moment... laugh, bin it and move on (but not before you’ve shared it) πŸ˜‰πŸ˜†

It’s one of those that you just HAVE to screech to (no matter where you are) πŸ™„

johnm12 profile image
johnm12Graduate

Thankyou so much for your post. Great descriptions. Made me giggle a lot ( but in a good way). My friends at work have now christened me "Forrest Gump" and thats all I have to say about that!

Keep on running.

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to johnm12

Thank you β€˜Forrest’, giggling is good (often the only thing that sees me through the day... and usually for no apparent reason) πŸ˜‚

MarkyD profile image
MarkyDGraduate

Lost. For. Words. & coffee spluttered all over keyboard.

HITC, I nominate you for Zoological Society of London 'Streak for Tigers' 5km fun run 2018 ;-)

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to MarkyD

Wow... that sounds amazing..!! Where do I sign..??

Completely naked .. ?? ... I'd have to 'roll' my boobs up and secure them with bulldog clips ;)

MarkyD profile image
MarkyDGraduate in reply to HeadInTheClouds

πŸ˜€ sign up at zsl.org. Tiger body paint is the preferred modesty enhancer.

Bulldog clips??? I saw a documentary film about that... 50 Colours Grey or something (I forget the exact name).

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to MarkyD

Thank you, I’ve just been taking a look... I think I’ll be needing a pretty thick layer of tiger body paint to enhance my modesty 😱 ... but, hey, it is for the tigers πŸ˜„

Ahhhh, THAT documentary... I must make a point of watching it πŸ˜‰

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

Love Cats is brill!

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to misswobble

One of my all time favourites :)

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

So wonderfully, wonderfully pretty 🐈. Looking at the singer you don’t expect it. well I didn’t πŸ™‚

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to misswobble

Haha, that is very true πŸ˜‚

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate

Wow...I feel like I’ve been out for another run today after reading this fabulous post...I can feel the absolute woo hooness of getting out there, you were determined to enjoy it & you did...fantastic...peeing down rain & mud...at one time would’ve been an absolute no...but not anymore...it’s exhilerating & it shines through in your post!!! Fantastic run....glad you’re back out there sharing the air with your running family again!!! πŸ˜ŠπŸ˜˜πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to Mummycav

Hey lovely..!! Thank you, it really did feel like absolute woo hooness (love that πŸ˜‚) to get my back side out there again... and what’s a bit of mud eh..?? ... I’ll wash up clean ☺️ Back on the wagon again, can’t wait for the next one πŸ€— xx

You may also like...

Did my first Parkrun! Mud, ice and tutus - all good fun.

as I felt! I'd also like to take my hat off to the man who managed to run this in 17 minute 53...

\"Yeah, I brought my running shoes...but...\"

for a run, though he turned his nose up at the little park opposite our hotel, suggesting running...

Ive got my running shoes!!! :D And bra haha :D

Sports Direct! But I'll look like I can run! ;) Happy happy happy and cannot wait for my run...

Absolutely loving running on ice and snow with my snow spikes

but I wasn't aware of losing them during the run. On the whole I'm happy with them, you can run...

this run brought to you by the letters e, b, a, and y

if to say \\"look, we're out running, join us\\"! They were running a bit fast though - I might...