I said "Hey, babe. Take a walk on the wild side.”

[Jay66UK]

A couple of days ago DeeRunning challenged me to do a naked (i.e. headphone free) run. I’ve never done one and frankly I’m a bit horrified by the idea. Focusing on music or people talking about something is one of the ways I tune out of my gremlins through a run.

I’ve also done roughly 50 runs since starting the programme and all but two have been the same route (although I’ve clearly made it "further along" during that time), north along the road I live on. The odd two were THAT Parkrun and a run south down the canal towpath near me that runs parallel with the road.

The fact that I’ve done the same route over and over says an awful lot more about me than it does about the route! There’s a photo album of the route as far as it was end of C25k here: photos.app.goo.gl/710yzOL5X...

Having been nursing my calf a bit this weekend I’ve got very little exercise so I thought I’d go for a walk. A naked walk (in the headphones sense only, promise). Out of my house and head south along the road.

I checked back and found I do almost 0.5k on my warm up and warm down walks so I figured if I walked for 6k and turned on the halfway point, that is how far I’d get if I ran a 5k.

As you can see from the first picture, I live in the midst of beautiful countryside and all those cumulus clouds certainly made the sky more interesting than the totally clear azure blue we've had recently. But, my, it’s warm.

The walk took me to the edge of the next small town/big village south (just as my usual route now takes me to the edge of the next but one small town/big village north. Where I reached is near to a canal basin which I could drop down to and the make a circuit along the towpath that I ran part of a few weeks ago. But I retraced the route this time.

One main road crossing. Outbound it was fine - the bend in the road helps you to see. Coming back it is blind to the right and fast, and I managed to nearly get run over (a feat I’ve not managed in a few decades)...

The other photos are an old milestone I hadn’t spotted before and a plaque near some anonymous looking trees. Been living around here nearly 21 years and never spotted them before 🙄

Got back, very hot and sweaty - I tried to do the whole walk at the brisk warm up pace and I’m wearing regular cotton shorts and a tshirt, plus my running shoes. My feet hurt more after that than running, which seems weird.

My calf is still niggly but got no worse through the walk, so I reckon I am okay to run on it. Planning to do another 5k either tomorrow or Tuesday.

Whatever run you have next, enjoy it x

[QueenTea Graduate]

That really is beautiful countryside, Jay. That’s an impressive 50 runs as well. Glad to hear your calf is okay as you’ve got all that new running gear to show off! Don’t think I’d fancy a naked run - need the distraction of podcasts. Still not back out there running but managing a few decent walks.🙂

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to QueenTea]

You just stay in the kitchen and I’ll do all the running for you. Send food parcels!

[QueenTea Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

Cheeky sod!!

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to QueenTea]

But I’ve seen that crustless quiche!!

[David_G]

Congratulations Jay, you got through a run without headphones on! That’s not something I’d have the confidence to do 😳😕

It’s amazing what you see when you’re out running. 🙂 I’ve lived in the same flat for nearly 30 years and I’ve found out more about this area in 3 months since I started C25K than I ever did in the previous 29 years! 😀

There’s actually a lot of local history, geography and architecture, no matter where you live 🙂 I’d encourage everyone to get out there and have a look, you might be very surprised 😄👍

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to David_G]

Just a walk this time. I’m not ready to ditch the music yet for a run.

[Hidden]

Oh Jay that’s lovely scenery but please don’t get run over - we need you! Wise move walking with a niggly calf - don’t want to aggravate it - also - HOT!

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I’ll walk the route dropping down onto the canal to avoid that crossing the “wrong way” and turn it into a circular route.

I don’t fancy a spell in hospital - no one to visit me or to look after the cat!

[Hidden in reply to Jay66UK]

You would have virtual visits from all of us but please don’t get run over- and yes - the cat must come first!

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Always. You know cats.

[mountaindreamer Graduate]

Looks like a great place to run or walk, Jay. Hope that calf behaves for you when you switch back to running. 😊❤️

[cheekychipmunks Graduate]

Naked - not sure I could do that. I need Michael Johnson in my life!

Love your photos, but maybe avoid the nearly getting run over bit. That might ruin your runs/walks somewhat. 😳

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I’ll do my best. Whilst I’m aiming for a flatter stomach that’s a bit extreme for me!

[Ang33333 Graduate]

Beautiful countryside! Hope your calf niggle settles! I ran without headphones on holiday and enjoyed it as there were new things to see and hear. But at home I love my music to keep me going! 😎😎

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Ang33333]

Just had a hot bath-salts laden bath (mad!) and it’s achey. I’ll live.

[Dralimc Graduate]

Love a bit of Lou Reed. Hope you’re back running soon Jay! 😊

[Fimoo Graduate]

Ive always found one of my calfs a bit tight since starting and am careful not to get it let it get too niggly, always giving it a bit more stretching tlc. Ive been using a tennis ball the past few days to stretch out a foot niggle and it's magically cured my tight calf, so i suspect that might have been the real source all along! Might be worth a shot? I keep the ball in the bathroom and roll my foot every time I use the loo

[amanda2463]

Looks lovely Jay , I still walk regularly with a group of mates, no head phones just chin wagging I love it x

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to amanda2463]

That’s all the walk was lacking. Company.

[Flaraflarkin Graduate]

Beautiful views!🌞

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Flaraflarkin]

It’s special up here. Scenes like that everywhere.

I first came up from dahn sarff as a school kid on a geography field trip age 15 and swore I’d come back. Fast forward blah years and I met someone from these parts, fell in love and moved up.

Nice views ever after, if nothing else.

[Flaraflarkin Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

Beautiful views are probably one of the few things that will last forever Jay, bet you're making some lovely memories from your runs in those parts though 😊 Peak District?? 🤔

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Flaraflarkin]

Yup. I live on the edge of it but that view is inside it.

[Flaraflarkin Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

Love that part of the country 😊

[Hidden]

Love that you'll try anything we suggest. You've now set the challenge of coming up with something crazy to see just how far you'll go! The frozen undies has it for now 😉

I read that post and thought "rather you than me, mate!" Cannot imagine not having my music...

I must count my runs, I haven't done that to date. Didn't have Strava from the beginning so I'll have to sharpen my pencil! ✏

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Sorry to be a party pooper but I won’t do anything you lot suggest. But I’ll consider doing anything that isn’t illegal or immoral. Well, illegal 🤣

[Hidden in reply to Jay66UK]

Well, that's that one out!!! 😂😂😂

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Hidden]

😳

🤣🤣🤣

[Flaraflarkin Graduate in reply to Hidden]

🤣🤣

[Goforitmama Graduate]

Beautiful photos, thankyou. I have to admit that I don't get it. What's the fuss about headphones? I've never run with them. I like to hear the birdsong. I wouldn't want to hear someone babbling in my ear. I go running for a little peace and quiet.

[Jay66UK Graduate]

Partly habit. Partly enjoying music. Partly because most of my life outside work is quite silent. Where I’m running the main sound is vehicles. But that’s probably another thing I need to change.

[Goforitmama Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

That explains it, most of my day is spent with my 7 year old, very bright and inquisitive and her favourite words are why, what, how, who. I know we've got a problem when 2 teachers have asked me how to deal with her. I know all kids do it, but apparently she is worse than most. I have to listen to her as she she sometimes asks some good and relevant why questions.

[DeeRunning Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

And there's dad dancing to be done 🕺🕺

[DeeRunning Graduate]

Challenge?? Merely a suggestion 😂 Love that it prompted a wee exploration of new territory though! Great stuff. I am so jealous of your local, lovely countryside, you'd be horrified if you saw my local streets ... whilst interesting they are absolutely not suitable for running. 😟

Was it any different walking without the headphones? Each to their own though, you run your own run in the way that works for you. I did a naked run in the gym the other day, which went much better than I thought it would. It was so noisy (workmen, people talking, etc) but I managed to mostly stay in the zone.

Excellent walk report. Hope your calf continues to improve for next runs 🏃‍♂️

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to DeeRunning]

I guess the biggest difference was that it was walking (which I usually do with out headphones) and not running (which I always do with). So the headphones weren’t really a factor. No gremlins to distract/silence/ignore!

“I was merely making a suggestion”... 😜

[Dexy5 Graduate]

What beautiful scenery Jay, and have you noticed how brown the grass has gone over the last few weeks. A good idea going for a walk to check out the calf niggle. Is it at the top of your calf or below the bulge like mine was (Soleus muscle)?

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

Lower part mainly right in the heart of the muscle if that make sense. Looking at a picture, could be soleus muscle or plantaris tendon.

Whatever it is has been very slightly niggling throughout C25K.

I decided not to run today (largely due to sleepiness!) and will see what it’s like tomorrow. Cooler tomorrow too.

[Dexy5 Graduate]

I don’t know if we can private message but I could email videos of exercises I was given to strengthen on rest days if you want

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

I’ve sent you my email address by pm.

[Hidden in reply to Dexy5]

I'd love to take a look too Dexy5 with a view too mixing it up a bit.

[Kar43]

Aww amazing pics jay

I rarely have music on my runs now and to be honest I'm preferring it, I get to hear all the wildlife now 😊and the ducks 🦆 quacking as they run past me 😂🤣😂🏃 🦆 🏃‍♀️

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Kar43]

Quackers. Absolutely quackers 🤣

[Kar43 in reply to Jay66UK]

Absolutely 🤣🤣🤣

[Lola333 Graduate]

Take care Jay, hope that calf is better soon, beautiful scenery xx

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Lola333]

Thanks. It’s not too bad at all and will be runnable tomorrow I’m sure.

[southlundon Graduate]

How did you find not having any music or podcasts? ☺️

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to southlundon]

For walking, fine. For running, no thanks! I need to distract my gremlins.

[southlundon Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

So when are you going for a ‘naked’ run then? 😅

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to southlundon]

I don’t plan to at the moment. When I’ve tamed the gremlins more (perhaps on the way to 10k, which will be my next target).

[Forestgrump Graduate]

What an amazing place to go for a run!.

[Scooter69 Graduate]

I really enjoy your posts! Please keep them coming.