Muddy but fun!

Hello my running friends!

Well, it's been nearly 2 weeks since I last ran. The last one was fairly uneventful so I didn't post about it, but when I saw something bright and unfamiliar in the sky this morning, I decided that today was definitely the day to try out the canal towpath again. Seriously, I'm so done with running on pavements. It's just annoying!

The first few minutes were more of a walk than a run, because there was a gang of volunteers in regulation health and safety orange life jackets doing much-needed work on the towpath, so I had to chat to them for a bit of course. When I was young, you fell in the canal and it was your own stupid fault. Anyway...

When I finally did set off the first 300yds or so were amazing. Such a nice quality towpath. Then it ran out, because that's how far they got, and we were back to the mudbath. Luckily because we've not had much rain for the past couple of days the puddles had just been replaced with mud. Lots of mud. And, (don't laugh), I managed to slip over trying to get through, and ended up with very muddy hands, legs and trainers. Me being me, I just kept going. Nothing really hurt, just my pride. I can live with that!

I tell you what though, being back along the canal on the flat was fantastic, away from the cars, and surrounded by the countryside. It lifted my spirits, it really did.

Now I didn't go that long, probably for less than 20 minutes, but it felt so good! I also achieved a PB in terms of speed, NOT that I was aiming for that. My tracking app said I managed 5' 18" per km, right at the start. Obviously I slowed from that, but coming back from weeks and weeks of running up stupid hills along the stupid roads, that was a real confidence boost. I was beginning to doubt if I was really a runner. I honestly can't wait to get back to more regular running this year.

Remember folks, if I can do it, anyone can

Keeeeeeeeep running!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Lovely!

Glad you didn't slip into the canal!

Or hurt yourself😊xx

You are definitely a runner Neil...😊xx

[Hidden in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thank you Jan, and nice to hear from you I know I've dropped some fitness since graduating, but I can't wait to go out more frequently again. The canal towpath is so inviting! I might miss out the muddy section next time though, it was a nightmare.

[davelinks Graduate]

Good stuff! Yes, you can do it, but are you doing it enough?😀

[Hidden in reply to davelinks]

Good question! I'm doing as much as time, weather, daylight allows at the moment. I can do more, but as I've always said, I'm not going to try and kill myself. It has to be enjoyable otherwise I probably won't do it at all!!

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

Good on you for getting out! A 20-minute run is a great pick-me-up! Sorry about the "fall". Are we at an age now that if we fall down, it is called "having a fall" rather than "fell over"?! You must take care in that mud!

Spring is sort of in the air today yippeee! I ran as the sun rose this morning, and it was earlier that even my Tuesday run (the time the sun rose). And the birds were going crazy. And I got to 5k again, so back to form after injury.

Happy to hear you got back out on your beloved canal tow path again. I am still a "stupid hill avoider".

Sadie-runs x

[Hidden in reply to Sadie-runs]

Nice to hear from you dear Sadie!

Yes, we are now at the age where we have a fall. I looked in the mirror and saw more grey hairs than I would have liked. I am no longer as slim as I used to be. But, as they say, the only way is up!

Really really glad you're back to form, I know you struggled the past couple of months.

I have to ask though, an avoider of stupid hills, or a hill avoider who is stupid?

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Bit of both. 😂

[Wizziewood]

Sounds great!

I love canal and sea wall paths, lots to see, no noisy smelly traffic and flat and incline free!

Happy running!

[Hidden in reply to Wizziewood]

It was actually, great to get away from the noise and fumes. The mud is annoying, but the volunteers are fixing that, which is great. I really do need to book in some time to help them one Friday. I feel as a user of the towpath I probably ought to

[Richard7 Graduate]

Well done Neil - it's all down to the exchange rate ... 20 minutes running in mud is about 40 minutes normal surface!! 😜

[Hidden in reply to Richard7]

Indeed it is!!! If only the weather would get a little warmer it'd be so much easier

[Hidden]

Blimey Neil that’s an amazing pace for a km, well done you. Isn’t it amazing how your fitness builds, even though you don’t necessarily realise it whilst it is happening.

Congrats and here’s to nicer weather, for nicer runs!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Amen to that! The pace was probably a fluke, and I’m sure it wasn’t for an entire km, but it did feel good I have to say. Im looking forward to getting out there again now

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Very well done indeed..once a runner??? ... always a runner Neil x

[Hidden in reply to Oldfloss]

Yup To be honest, being back on my nice, flat, scenic canal route, in the sunshine, did me the world of good I think.

[Shelby1973 Graduate]

Hey Neil nice to see ur still around 🤗 ur rite the weather is improving and the days r definitely getting longer . It’s been lovely out today and seeing the snowdrops and first crocuses sprouting their heads. Happy running 🏃‍♀️🏃 x

[Hidden in reply to Shelby1973]

Thank you! So nice to have a sunny day, makes running feel so much more pleasurable. Today it’s raining again lol Nice to hear from you Shelby

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

Fab post Neil..glad you’re back out & found your happy place...it’s good to mix up routes, I get stalled with pounding the pavements sometimes so then, I too take myself off to run by the canal...so peaceful...no doubting you are a runner Neil...& a good one at that 😉

[Hidden in reply to Mummycav]

Aw thanks mummycav I’ve really really missed the canal. It’s not as even as the pavement, but sooo much nicer. Which canal is it you’re near? I’m very near the Macclesfield, and also the Peak forest, if I run that far

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I run along the Calder & hebble...I love it...and when there’s a barge going by they always wave or say hello...more than most fellow runners do 🙄🤔