W8R1

[1Potato]

Week 8 already and just realised I haven’t posted a single progress report! I’m really not good at this social media stuff, though I do enjoy reading everybody else’s posts! Lots of useful advice and motivation that has helped me get this far!

Well, this evening’s run didn’t get off to a great start. Walked down to my usual spot, looked fairly quiet, so started the app, did the warm up walk and then Laura was telling me it was time to run and off I went. Suddenly people started appearing all over the place, dogs popped out of bushes, and I just managed to dodge their inquisitive snouts. (I’m very self conscious about running in front of other people, as I go so slow it feels a little humiliating when I come face to face with the dog-walkers and families out for a walk) 6 minutes in and I’m forced off the trail by some a-holes in a car! (I run through a nature reserve, the trails are for people on foot or on bikes not cars!)

This has thrown me right off. So give up and start walking, and keep walking until I’m far enough away from civilisation to start over. This time it’s better but legs are feeling heavy and calf muscles are tightening up! Laura tells me I’ve only ran for 5 minutes. I’m not happy and wish she hadn’t said anything. Starting to feel tired now, these evening runs sometimes feel hard after a full day at work. Laura pipes up again and tells me I’ve now ran for ten minutes (18 more to go). I’m thinking, “I hope you’re not going to do this every 5 minutes or this is going to be a really long run!”

The half-time bell goes off next. “Half way!!” I think. “I can do this!” Buoyed on by this, I start to enjoy the run. I look up and see cows ahead, a lot of cows! Not wanting to be that guy who meets an embarrassing end trampled by cows, I take a quick detour over some rougher ground only to come face to face with another cow perfectly blocking my path while quietly munching some grass. I decide a tactical retreat is the best option and head back the way I came as it’s also starting to rain.

As Laura announces the final minutes I nimbly (for me) dodge the little ‘presents’ dropped by my bovine friends and keep going. A little further on I suddenly remember the app and fumble for my headphones that popped out some way back. As I run on, I discover Laura was done, I check my watch I see I’d run for just over 33 minutes!! Wow 😮

There was more than a little swagger as I marched the rest of the way home.

[Eiralas Graduate]

I just did W8 R1 this evening too - though my outing nowhere near as adventurous as yours! I only remember narrowly avoiding slipping on an acorn, and being bombarded by flies. Well done on getting through it with all those added obstacles.

[wyersmith Graduate]

Nice one! Are you sure you’re on the right plan? Sounds more like Tough Mudder! 😉

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

You did brilliantly 1Potato, Well done, and whenever face to face with a large cow 'Run Away' is a great option...

Getting ever closer to the podium now! 😊x

[Ripcurlrana71]

Very well done!!! I did that with my week 8 run 3 - 30 mins by mistake! 😬😬😬

[alikayV Graduate]

Thoroughly enjoyed reading your post on the train this morning! We have been missing out these last 8 weeks!! I do hope that literary light is well and truly out from under that bushel!! And massive congrats on completing your W8R1 run! 😁

[1Potato in reply to alikayV]

Thank you! Though now I’m a little worried the next runs may not be so entertaining!

[Birdsong53 Graduate]

Well done 1 Potato. It sounds like you run in a similar area to me. I always run in a large natural park with many trails and at the weekend the cows were allowed in for Summer grazing. I’ve yet to have an encounter but have no doubt it will happen.

Good luck, almost there. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Agelesslass]

Enjoyed reading your adventure, well done

[Goforitmama Graduate]

Loved your post. It was fun to read, thanks!

Good luck with your running and cow poop hurdling.

[1Potato in reply to Goforitmama]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!

I wouldn’t exactly call my manoeuvres ‘hurdling’, don’t think the old legs could generate much lift yet. More like lurching left or right.

By law of averages I’m bound to put my foot in it one day!

[Jay66UK Graduate]

An ace read! Well done. This is my next run and I hope it has fewer cows and minutes in it!

[1Potato in reply to Jay66UK]

Thanks! Good luck with your run, may your path be ever cowless. You’ve already done three 25 minute runs you can do this! 👍

[Kazbar10 Graduate]

Hey brilliant & I loved your story, you should report more often 👍

[1Potato in reply to Kazbar10]

Thank you, I will try! Hopefully the next run will be a little less eventful though. 😊

[skeenie Graduate]

I did my W8R1 yesterday at 7 15 and it was into a cold headwind for first half then down onto the prom with a finale at the public toilets - great place to end! At least I dont have cows to contend with and nobody much about here early morning. Well done you for doing 33mins I stopped but felt I could have done a bit more. Roll on tomorrow

[1Potato in reply to skeenie]

Well done! It really saps your energy running into the wind, but it feels oh so good when you’re hot and sweating from the run. The public toilets may not be the most scenic end to a good run, but they are handy!

[skeenie Graduate in reply to 1Potato]

W8R2 today in headwind again ,needed a fleece and gloves! Again ended up at the toilets was hoping to get further will try to make the sea life centre Saturday.

[Kesky Graduate]

Have always been a bit jealous of all those who live near beautiful trails -that is up until now! It makes pavements and dog poo sound tame lol.

K

[Hidden]

Fab! Well done. I don't know where u guys get your energy from. I really don't think I could do it after a day at work. You put me to shame. Keep on running.

[lagatachocolate Graduate]

How did I miss this! Well done and a great update post 😀

[1Potato in reply to lagatachocolate]

Thank you!