W6R2 - a new beginning

[Pianism]

Dear listener, you will know that I've so far been running round the football pitch in the dark (with the exception of parkrun on a saturday). Well, the mornings are getting lighter and the runs getting longer.

My plan was to swap to running along the river from next week, but it was such a lovely frosty crisp morning that I started today instead.

Wow - exhilarating! It was so nice not going round and round and round... felt like freedom. And there were real joggers there, who didn't laugh. There was even a horse, Granspeed !

I did not want to turn around at the mid-point bell and I did not want to stop when Laura told me to. But I'm a good little (slightly less large) boy.

Just wow!

[RunaroundSue]

That looks nice. All long runs now. You will want to explore a bit

[Pianism Graduate in reply to RunaroundSue]

It's getting exciting now!

[Couchpotato2 Graduate]

How lovely! I don’t know how you managed to keep going running round im circles, that’s impressive!

[Pianism Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

To be fair, up to now it's been more about just getting through the runs and building my fitness to the next parkrun. Now I'm beginning to think about how it will be when I'm my own running boss.

My Garmin has finally been dispatched (12 days after ordering!). I'm saving it for graduation as my post graduation plan is to do 1 run per week on the consolidation podcasts, 1 parkrun and one free run where I just enjoy it.

How can I be still so excited about this!?!

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to Pianism]

It is exciting! I probably need to start thinking about pist graduation too

[Letties Graduate]

That does look nice.

It's very dull doing laps... but not quite as bad as the treadmill. 😂

Who knows where you might end up???

[Pianism Graduate in reply to Letties]

Not done a treadmill and not planning to - I don't have access to one anyhow and I'm not sure I'd get through the door of a gym! Am going to go and get a light waterproof though.

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Brilliant run P!

[Pianism Graduate in reply to Millsie-J]

Thank you - it really felt great today.

[Irishprincess Graduate]

Finding new places to run is one of the joys of running 🙂

[Pianism Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Yes, it was lovely. I'm a bit stuck in a rather urban area but there are lots of places only a short drive away. Perhaps some parkrun tourism eventually. I was looking at an article on the most scenic parkruns around the world and Portrush was mentioned... gorgeous part of Ireland that I've spent happy times in so planning to get back there.

[RunaroundSue in reply to Pianism]

No shortage of parkruns around here. I need to bag a few local ones myself

[Pianism Graduate in reply to RunaroundSue]

Very true.

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to Pianism]

Yes that coastline is absolutely stunning. Have you seen Irish-John 's post about a C25K meet up there in October 2020? I think there are over 100 of us so far!

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[Pianism Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Yes, I have indeed! I shall most definitely be there, barring disaster.

[Tonkabella]

Fantastic 🎉. It’s so much nicer I run along a river bank and live it. Also have a canal path I use also fab. Enjoy your freedom 😊🏃🏼‍♀️

[Pianism Graduate in reply to Tonkabella]

Ooh yes, I've just remembered a rather lovely canal not too far from here. I like the idea of getting just a little bit further each time and therefore having an incentive to run a bit longer and discover new things.

[Granspeed Graduate]

Well, you’ve really cracked it now if you’ve got a horse on the circuit! 🐎 Very top notch running club! Isn’t it lovely to have got far enough into the Plan to be branching out and doing new things? 👏🏼🎉 And the sun and extra light is great too. 🌞 Perhaps this is our reward for slogging through the early runs in the frozen days of January. Here’s a toast to springing into Spring. 🌿🌱🥀🌾

[Pianism Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

Yes, I'm sure our reward is that we can consolidate and get into a regular running habit during the summer months and have enough experience and stamina to get through the winter's dark days next time around.

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to Pianism]

Yes, good thought. 😊

[molly1973 Graduate]

Lovely. It’s so nice to enjoy new areas, and I’ve recently ditched the headphones now and again to hear the birds 😊

[Pianism Graduate in reply to molly1973]

May try that at some point.

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

That’s lovely ! Great to get a change too.

[Pianism Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Definitely. I walked part of that path today on my rest day and had a little picnic in the sun. Can't believe I've lived here over 20 years and never discovered it.

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Pianism]

Hey - you really do live and learn ! Excellent ! Hope the picnic was tasty 😋