Week 8 day 1

[Geo-Lesley]

My dissertation has been taking up all my waking moments for the last few days so I haven't run for five days. This morning my elder son and I rose early and went out with my little dog dancing with excitement. ( I have managed one good 4km walk with my little dog and a few quick strolls).

It was bitterly cold, -5 degrees, so my chest was wheezing and gasping for a little while but by the time the five minute warm up was complete all was well.

It was magical with the stars and the half moon shadowing us while we ran into the welcoming sunrise.

After a couple of minutes I had warmed up enough to take off my hoodie but the cold wind rushing across my bare skin felt like ice needles pricking my skin. It was life affirming. We sit in warm rooms and cars and don't immerse ourselves in nature enough. I love that icy feeling just as I love the warmth of the sun on my skin.

It was dry so no matter how cold it became there was no ice until we came across a patch of what looked like water at the bottom of the hill. This was, we discovered after a couple of steps, an ice rink so we very gently turned round and ran lightly back until we were off the ice. A slog up the hill and a final five minute run through the flattest part of the village where I could extend into a good steady run with a bit of pace.

28 minutes of continuous running and I feel marvellous and almost ready for another 12 hour writing stint.

It is a joyous feeling when I get into my stride while the world becomes nothing more than the road in front of me, my running companions around me, the sensation of my feet lightly touching the tarmac, the sound of steady breathing, and the feel of the wind across my skin. Primeval and essential.

I shall always be extremely grateful to this programme for allowing me to become a runner and supporting me throughout.

Thank you for sharing my ongoing journey.

Happy running

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Brilliant run, sounds like you really enjoyed it.

That will get the brain cells working 👍🏼

[Geo-Lesley in reply to Millsie-J]

Thank you.I loved it especially the last five minutes when I could really stride out. Fabulous

[TedG Graduate]

Great run, glad you enjoyed it 😊

Almost there, keep it up 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Geo-Lesley in reply to TedG]

Thanks, Ted, slowly getting through it. I hand in my dissertation on Thursday, a day to catch up with all the housework then two weeks of hard revision for geophysics exam then I can really concentrate on my running until the June exams and the revision period before then...soon be graduating in both yay!!

[Oldgal68 Graduate]

Yes, it’s an exceptional programme. A fantastic run like that will set you up for the day, so best wishes for the studying. I won’t be able to get out running until later in the day, so I’m looking forward to getting out into this fabulous day. Enjoy and hope the writing goes as well as the running! 😁

[Geo-Lesley in reply to Oldgal68]

It is a glorious day and you will have the best of the sun warmed day. Enjoy your run and thank you

[Hidden]

That is so inspiring. It should be a pinned post for newbies.

[Geo-Lesley in reply to Hidden]

Oh, thank you x

[Lizzisforliving Graduate]

What a lovely description of your morning run! Well done for completing W8R1 - I'm looking forward to doing it a bit later, and I'll take this as an extra incentive to get to the end.

Love Lizz x

[Geo-Lesley in reply to Lizzisforliving]

Hi Lizz,

You'll enjoy it. The sun is shining and graduation is close by. Happy running x

[Lizzisforliving Graduate in reply to Geo-Lesley]

No sun here, but yes, I plan to enjoy it. Thanks. X

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate]

I love this post. It gave me goose-bumps (probably the result of the ice needles!). It really is a joyous thing this running. I've just come back from my Sunday 10.6k run in fog, over fields, through woods, past dog walkers and normal walkers with a lovely sprint at the end. I feel exhilarated now - and your post echoes this exhilaration! Happy running (and good luck with the dissertation!).

[Geo-Lesley in reply to JaySeeSkinny]

Thank you very much. Wow, 10.6 km. I shall aspire to that later in the year. I'm hoping to do a 10 km run in the summer but that's a way off yet

[Elfe5 Graduate]

Wonderful! Thanks for taking us with you! 😃