8k and a Heron ❤️ Long Post for A Long Run 🏃🏼‍♀️

[AliHC]

It's been a funny old day today.

Woke up with 'Empty Nest Syndrome' after taking my son back to uni after a lovely family summer together and feeling a bit sorry for myself 😪

Had breakfast, which is unusual for me if I'm going to do a run in the morning. Maybe my head wasn't into running at that moment in time? Got my running gear on and did very little faffing and left the house in a strange mood 🤔

Drove to one of my easier routes and parked up. The weather was beautiful 🌞 and at that point my head was in a good place ☺️

Forgot my headphones 🎧 Oh well I thought, doesn't matter and off I went 😊 Happy, happy, happy.

So happy that I missed the turning to go back along the river. So instead of turning around, I carried on running 🏃🏼‍♀️

This is a road I drive along regularly so I thought, just run until you get to.... just run until you get to.... just run until you get to....... 🏃🏼‍♀️ THE END then turn around!

On my return journey I didn't miss the turn for the river and at the very end saw a beautiful and majestic heron sitting on the little waterfall 😍

When I got back to the car park and looked at my running app and saw the distance 👀🧐😳 OMG! 8k! Had a drink of water then went back to see the heron and took a photo as part of my cool down walk 📸

I'm completely overwhelmed! Can't believe how far I've come! From 60 seconds to almost 60 minutes (not including the walking before and after)

Thought I was emotional before the run 😪 but this is something else 🤣

Have a wonderful day everyone! ❤️❤️❤️

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

How wonderful!! Sounds like a veritable 8K treat!! Your body is fit & & your stamina is great! 😁 I also love seeing special birds. A heron is beautiful & so graceful. Was he standing on one leg?

Your mother heart is a little achey breaky just now! Know that feeling well!! 🤗 Soon he will be back for a break with dirty washing in tow! 🤣

[AliHC Graduate in reply to Annieapple]

Thank you Annie! Not sure if he was on one leg or not but he stood there for a very long time! 😀 xxx

[Jazzyrunner Graduate]

That’s an amazing run, Ali! Beautiful autumnal colours too. Empty nest here too, and the running is a brilliant thing so that we are doing something just for ourselves - so important! This is a super empowering thing we are doing 💪🏻🏃🏼‍♀️👏🏻

[AliHC Graduate in reply to Jazzyrunner]

Thank you Jazzyrunner ❤️

This is my son's second year at uni and the driving back home was easier than last year, but still heartbreaking 😪 He did a few runs with me when he was home which made me run a bit faster than usual, but felt great! So on the long run I slowed right down again and was able to last a lot longer.

And you're right, this is definitely just for me 🤗

How's your empty nest feeling? xxx

[Jazzyrunner Graduate in reply to AliHC]

Very impressed you can run with your son! 👏🏻 I wouldn’t try 😂

Our dog keeps me busy so the house doesn’t feel too empty 😊 And the running gives me a great feeling of achievement 👍🏻 xx

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Look at the colours in those photos and some wildlife, love it. Sounds like a really lovely run and 8k into the bargain. 😊😊👏👏

[AliHC Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

It was such a beautiful day! Really looking forward to the autumn colours coming through! 🎃

[Stephen_UK Graduate]

Great photos. I sometimes see a heron on my run and it always lifts my spirits.

[AliHC Graduate in reply to Stephen_UK]

They're such majestic looking birds. There are 3 or 4 of them at this particular spot!

[Stephen_UK Graduate in reply to AliHC]

When you see one fly over it’s like watching a dinosaur.

[AliHC Graduate in reply to Stephen_UK]

Definitely! Just like a pterodactyl 😊

[Puppy-love Graduate in reply to AliHC]

Which reminds me of one of our cats in Bahrain... We had a pair of Western herons nesting at the bottom of our garden. Beautiful birds but pterodactyl like in flight. I couldn’t find Merlin at dinner time and that never happened. I eventually tracked him down on the roof of the terrace where he was poised like the perfect cartoon cat, terrified to move in case the pterodactyl in the nearby tree swooped down to eat him. Hilarious.

[AliHC Graduate in reply to Puppy-love]

😂🐅🕊️🤗

[Puppy-love Graduate]

You really are amazing. 8k! Wow. Lovely photos and lovely to see the heron. We’re lucky now to be able to go out for a run to clear our heads when life isn’t perfect. I always hated the end of summer and the inevitable return to uni but terms are short and he’ll be home soon. 😘😘

[AliHC Graduate in reply to Puppy-love]

Ah, thank you Puppy-love ❤️

I had a lovely chat with him tonight and he's settled into his new house really quickly. And your right, uni terms do go very quickly, especially when he plays in a couple of orchestras and conducts another and plays in the jazz band 😊 so loads of concerts to go to! 🎶🎻🥁

[Goslow Graduate]

Hello AliHC,

I am amazed and inspired by you! 😊 your running is fantastic you just go from strength to strength! 8k wow! I can only dream 🤣🏃‍♀️🤣

Hope your ok x have a lovely day

[AliHC Graduate in reply to Goslow]

Thank you Goslow ❤️

I must say... I am really enjoying my running! I'd done a few faster runs with my son before he went back to uni, so this was a lot slower and I just relaxed and kept going 😂

Hope all is going well with you? xxx

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

Fabulous run and some great headspace. 👍🏻😁

Just think of all the extra running time you'll have now there's less mothering duties! 😉

[AliHC Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

😀 YES! That's a great way to look at it! xxx

[PolkaDot88]

Get in!! I suppose that’s the best kind of running... when you don’t feel like you are! 😁 magnificent job well done you. 😁

[AliHC Graduate in reply to PolkaDot88]

Thank you ❤️

How 's your running going? X

[PolkaDot88]

Great pics too 👍🏽😃