Smoke and porridge for the penultimate run...

[Pm3eak]

It really was horrible out there this afternoon: dark, a bit misty and very, very cold. Around here it is traditional to light bonfires, burn rubbish and light coal fires in such conditions: we local peasants never seem happier than when the air is so thick and acrid with smoke that you can cut pieces off it off with a bread knife. I think it is a throwback to Centuries ago when we did anything we could to hide from the Welsh when they popped over the border, murdered a few of us and went home happy with our cattle and a few wives in tow. A stinking smokescreen was great cover...still is.

Anyway, by the time I had walked out of the village ( well, hamlet) I was coughing like Ifor the Engine's fireman and almost turned around and coughed my way home. But, I told myself to get a grip and trundled off listening to 'The Food Programme' on Radio 4. Fascinating it was too: all about porridge, something we peasants love almost as much as burning things in unsuitable weather.

The run went quite well. I was so engrossed in listening to the strange things that Levi Roots puts in porridge that time fairly flew. I didn't want to jigger myself before my Graduation run so was trying to keep things nice and steady. It appears that 4.3 km at around 7m/km seems to be my comfortable 'go to' level for 30 mins at the moment. I intend to consolidate around this after graduating to give my ageing body time to catch up with my aspirations.

So, one more to go: it seems quite hard to believe.

I think I fancy a bowl of porridge...smoked?

[Anthie Graduate]

That porridge podcast again! Elfe5 was talking about it yesterday. I've just downloaded the programme and will try to run on it on Wednesday I love porridge and that Jamaican recipe sounds fabulous for a day like yours when you need spicy and warm!

Well done for getting out there in such extreme conditions and finishing the run! I was expecting a goblin to appear and play a trick on you Or the three witches predicting you that you would very soon get the crown of C25K!

[Elfe5 Graduate]

Haha! I ran with that program too - brilliant! 😃

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Just the Graduation run left then😉...have a nice bowl of porridge an hour before..lovely😆xx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Porridge is great, smoked or not...

[Pm3eak Graduate]

I agree with you and Jan-now-runs: I have porridge every day for breakfast and have done since childhood. But I love it really thick and heavy, so thick in fact that you can use it to replace damaged bricks. We make it at night and warm it up in morning. When I was farming-and even now in hot weather- I loved to just slice a chunk off cold, slather it in honey and munch away....lovely.

[siobhp Graduate]

Porridge, yum! I wonder if I can download that episode here in France, that will definitely keep me going through the cold runs.

[Pm3eak Graduate in reply to siobhp]

Available here Siobhp

bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qn...

[siobhp Graduate in reply to Pm3eak]

Fantastic, thank you!

[misswobble Graduate]

Ha ha, I can identify with the smoke! I run on porridge by the way so am fascinated by all things oats related. Best fuel ever in my opinion! I am now envisaging what Levi adds to his porridge. I think Mo and co run on a specific carb porridge made from a local root in Kenya. I shall have to give that one a listen. Pimp my porridge!

I ran in the snow recently. A horrible, horrible night and it struck me that a low blanket covered the area and the stink of coal fires was in the air. It took me back actually to when everyone had a coal fire. I used to say if we were on the motorway we knew we were near home as we could smell it. It did comfort me though on my lonely run. That and the flat-capped blokes all walking Jack Russells, and who wished me well and passed the compliments of the evening with me to a man! I was made quite happy that all was well. I did wonder why they were not burning smokeless mind you. They probably have a small private seam of their own somewhere. Can't remember the last time I saw some nutty slack!

Good luck with your final run! I hope the fugue has lifted and the air will be clear.

[misswobble Graduate]

I once asked my neice if she wanted porridge. She replied, "yes, I'll have a slice" Cheek!

[Pm3eak Graduate]

I love oats in any shape and form. As a lad, on the farm, I had pockets full of oats that I chewed straight off the combine. When I joined the Navy I took supplies of Staffordshire Oatcakes down South with me and soon had my mates as addicted as I was...and still am! (Oatcakes filled with cheese and bacon...food for Gods). Tonight, we are having Spiced Vegetable Casserole with an oatmeal crust for tea. Definitely an oat fuelled household.