And running so late.. people say
The sun right up in the sky
And the tide nearly high
What can she be up to today ?
Yesterday, I ran... today... I ramble
Back at the coast, after a long, cold winter... delighted to get there and to the most glorious sunshine... A long journey of stop/starts...fog at the beginning, road works, diversions and hold-ups, en-route, and then the gradual change in the air, the light and the weather, as we reached Wales.
Heading up over the tops from Llyn Celyn towards Blaenau and the coast.. the mountains, spread like a giant relief map, pencil-sharp edged with a fierce clarity against an impossibly blue sky.
At our destination, winter storm damage assessed, body and soul already responding to the increasing warmth of the late afternoon sun.
The prospect of a first, return run by the sea...tomorrow morning... shoes put by the door..gear laid out.. and that familiar flutter in the tummy that I still get before each and every run.
I woke in the early hours to the sound of torrential rain... not foreseen and not forecast.. and waking later, to the same relentless beat of heavy raindrops... and the certainty that no run would be had . The spirit was willing, but the idea of a wet and slippery run, so soon after getting off the IC... held little appeal.
The day broke, like those waves in the poem, where most folk know only the first two lines.
Break, break, break,
On thy cold gray stones, O Sea!
And I would that my tongue could utter
The thoughts that arise in me.
I was so, so disappointed... so.. sorting cupboards, wiping surfaces, tidying. putting away and errands were the order of the day... until....returning from the town.. the clouds were thinning, the sky was brighter... the rain had stopped...
I am, as many of you know, an old snail, set in my ways, slow and steady and always, always an early morning runner...and yet.... as we reached home.. unloading the shopping, I felt an urge.. the kind that there is no point in ignoring... like a certain Mole in a certain book,
“Something up above was calling (him) imperiously”
...warmer now, the clouds rolled back and the promise of warmth on the slight breeze.
“ I think I am going to head out for a run...”
Stunned silence from husband.. closely followed by, “ Go on, go for it.. it is glorious out there now; how long will you be.. ?”
“ Just down to the town, along the Esplanade round by the golf links and back by the sea.. back in time to get lunch “
I have never got ready for a run so quickly, warming up stretches, and donkey kicks all down, and though the warm up walk...Excitement does not begin to describe it.. me, running after 9 a.m. Favourite track on.. no distance or speed in mind.. head out steady and slow and see what and who is out there at this very, very different running time.
No wind now, as I headed gently down towards the town...the Castle, a resplendent, if tattered, guardian of the small town it has stood above since the time of Llewellyn the Great; High on its rocky perch, the sea at its feet, a constant companion...softly murmuring at times, tales of the sea, and those that inhabit its shores, or violently shouting, with the unleashed anger of pounding waves and the ghost-shadowed, foam shrouds of the souls lost in the depths.
The sky, now, a child's paintbox blue... white fluffy clouds, piling in a joyous heap as I ran lightly on... the sun high in the sky... not the watery winter sun that gives no warmth and serves little purpose, with no radiation of colour from the earth, but a sun that was almost harsh, in the photographic like clarity of the scenes beneath.
I ran and I remembered to take it gently... heels rounded, shoulders and hands relaxed...no need for reminders to smile, from @iannodatruffe, the smile on my face was already there. I do take my own advice... I do try to land gently, kissing the ground with my feet, and making the run for the Esplanade... my pace was steady, my breathing regular, and landing so lightly, that passing two tourists heading for a seaside seat, I made them jump Along the Esplanade with a good rhythm, only three cars parked and no-one in sight... I had expected a few more folk, but at lunchtime, maybe the early visitors were sampling the delights of the local Welsh cuisine
No tantalising smell of coffee or toast or bacon at this time... as I made ready to run up the hill towards the turn for Tanygrisiau Terrace... the sun warm on my back and a quick stop on the Green opposite the Lifeboat station to take off my shower jacket...up the hill and along towards the town.. no sign of my friend there today, and on a whim... I turned along past the schools.. hidden behind the houses on the edge of the playing fields and the golf course.. All silent as I ran past.. the young folk inside, no doubt counting the hours until home time and looking longingly at the sunshine, teasing them, through trees and bushes outside the windows. I was running fairly quickly now ( yes I do sometimes... well quickly for me) as I ran down towards the crossing over the railway. Pulling back a tad and crossing through the small gate with care. I know the train times, by heart but still exercise real caution
Up and turning along by the railway line, two more folk out walking and smiling. I lift my shoulders, and smile back at their greeting , down over the level crossing and back towards the sea...past my favourite cafe Tir Y Mor... tables full and the owner startled, as I run past, waves as she recognises me... a puzzled look on her face, as she is so used to seeing me before 8 o'clock... down back to the sea, and along.
I love the chance to run on fairly flat surfaces...but the sea was calling, and although aware of the pull of the sand on calf-muscles I ran down the first ramp and onto the shingle line, just above the sand... the tide getting ever closer, as I headed towards the breakwater, that separates Caerwelyn Beach from the long beach that stretches towards the multicoloured headland hiding the heady delights of Morfa Bychan and Black Rock sands, from the sedate, slightly Victorian splendour of the Western beaches...
Two walkers... one dog... a quick photo stop and a last burst as I try to reach the breakwater before the tide does... a flock of winter wildfowl, startled by this strange figure hurtling towards them... I had a smile as wide as the Bay , my feet light, my body warm and tingling. I could have run for ever...and again... the words of Wordsworth, echoing in my head, (not for the first time..)running and running,
“ Proud and exulting like an untired horse. That cares not for his home “
Learned by heart for A level English.. and still with me to this day, as is most of the first part of The Prelude....
But.... home does call, and husband and lunch... I was, strangely, hungry, and now as a few more folk were appearing, it was time to start the walk back up the hill.
A different run for me, although devoid of the folk I thought might mar my run...I enjoyed it.. a short, slow and steady 3K..at the wrong time of day too
Who says you can't teach an Oldfloss new tricks
But... weather and the Welsh weather Gods permitting, I will be out at my normal time tomorrow, because, again, from the Wayfarer in the Wind in the Willows...
“Everything seems asleep, and yet going on all the time. It is a goodly
life that you lead, friend; no doubt the best in the world, if only you are
strong enough to lead it!”
Long may we all be strong enough, to lead this goodly running life.
PS
This run was not just mine, it was me and my forum friends who at the moment, are not able to run... you know who you are... and you were all with me
Beautiful morning for a tourist run, 🎶And I Ran, I Ran so Far Away🎶
First Run after Graduation!!!!
Stormy looking sky over Helensburgh 
