W8R1 : getting lost

[HillsEverywhere]

So today I did W8R1. I like to have a rather "meditative" run on Mondays, but today was almost a little adventure.

First, I decided I wanted to try that new hilly route again. Last time I had ran a short version of it, but I was afraid it would be a bit short for 28 minutes so I thought I'd try a longer version (it's the route of an annual race here, which is still out of my reach in its integrality). I just wanted to run it in the reverse direction so as to avoid the steepest hill.

I began running, having memorized the map (or so I thought). I confidently took a turn, then another, then another... and finally realised I was lost when the path began to steer in the totally wrong direction and I couldn't find the next turn.

I ended up stopping to fish out my phone to ask it where the heck I was. While I was at it, I snapped the above picture.

I started again, found the right path after a while, and ran on happily. Just when I was almost at the end of the loop, the path was blocked by a tree which had fallen in last night's storm. No getting over, under or around it (abrupt slope on both sides)... and no shortcut to finish the course ! That was when Robotic American Lady told me I could stop running. Yeah, thanks. I had to turn around and walk a long, long way in the end (I might have run part of it to go faster...)

At least the beer I had with friends yesterday afternoon wasn't a problem, thankfully (I made sure to drink a lot of water once home !)

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

So sorry you had all that hassle ! Love the photo though. You could get lost in far uglier places 😀

[HillsEverywhere Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Well, actually the getting lost part was rather fun. The fallen tree, a bit less (I was lucky not to have had work appointments this morning or I'd have been late). But the forest is really lovely.

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to HillsEverywhere]

Helps if you have somewhere good to go.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Great job getting it done... I’m still at the looking at hills and running in the opposite direction phase! Beautiful place to run. Enjoy the next one.

[HillsEverywhere Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

You know, living as I do on the slope of a ginourmous hill (aka the Jura range) with lots of sub-hills, the only choice I have is between dealing with them or quitting running 😂

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to HillsEverywhere]

That will soon happen to me there’s hills all around me and I can only plot circuits to about 4 miles without either doing laps or taking on a hill. Guessing yours put my hills to shame!

[HillsEverywhere Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Good luck with your hills then ! On good days I actually rather enjoy the challenge (I hope you will too). On bad days... the parish vicar that I am prays there are no congregants hidden in the bushes to listen to her swearing !

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to HillsEverywhere]

I do want to run over Kinder Scout at some point... walked over it so many times... so I’ll have to learn to love them, Jacobs ladder is a heck of a climb.

Growing up I have a vivid memory of my Priest letting out some expletives when he thought nobody was listening... it didn’t scar me for life but he would have been horrified if he knew I’d heard. 😂

[HillsEverywhere Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Love this ! 😂 Secret expletives are so relieving !

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Reminds me of Little Red Riding Hood 🌹being lost in a forest, at least you didn't need to worry about wolves, it was still very annoying for you being lost in the middle of the forest and coming across that fallen tree🎄 caused by storm Bronah and having to retrace your run. Last Saturday I was out running a repeat of run 6 week 2 and I came across a fallen 🎄 😢, this came down because of storm Alie, the fallen tree was blocking the main path but I did have an alternative route around the 🎄

[HillsEverywhere Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Little Red Riding Hood ! 😂 I should buy a red running hoodie.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate]

Beautiful place to run and get lost. 😀 My sense of direction is shocking which is why I run in a loop. On hols I ran and even got lost with my satnav telling me which way to go! 😅

You’re close to graduation now and you’re doing brilliantly. You badge is being shined especially! Good luck! 😀👍

[HillsEverywhere Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Wow, I only realized just how close to graduation I am !! Only 4 more runs... Though I don't hope to get a better sense of direction by then either 😅