Going a bit barmy!

Another joyous run today. How can this be? I am just loving running at the moment. All those weeks battling through C25K wondering if i will ever like running ...... well I can confirm the answer is a big fat yes. Oh yes.

The sun popped out, it was cool but not cold and i decided to head out to the local trail around the nature reserve. A bit daft really after my slip a few days ago but hey ho! - I wanted to do it.

Once again, setting off nice and slowly at the Runners World calculated easy pace (for me) at 7min/km was just fantastic. For the second run on a trot I had music in my ears and was bouncing along nicely before I realised I was running down the streets doing air drums. Jeeeez - people will think I'm nuts.

Off onto the trails, probably not the best idea in non trail shoes but i kept it nice and slow, small strides, upright, walked through or around the really bad mud. Leaves squelching, fresh air, sun coming through the trees, doing aeroplanes over the field (see picture - i must stop doing this as people will really think I've lost the plot!) - just fantastic.

For my final km i put my foot on the gas and managed a full out final 200m sprint. Yes, i was gasping a bit as i crossed my "finish line".

The reason for the post is two fold. When i am down in the dumps after a bad run you good people can remind me that most of my runs are really enjoyable. Secondly, no matter how experienced you are, if you have music in your ears please be extra extra cautious. Whilst running home through the estate (housing estate not my "estate" 😁) - I ran across the road just prior to a bend without thinking or concentrating. I saw the fear in the drivers eyes as he hurtled around the corner. Fortunately we both took evasive action.

Please be careful - and don't lose your concentration in the enjoyment of the moment.

Happy running all.

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Looks like and sounds like an enjoyable run !Perhaps trail shoes on the list to Santa 🙄

And a good reminder of the possible music/traffic issues !

I notice my new earpods block out a little too much ambient noise for me !

[Hidden in reply to Instructor57]

When I have The Who belting out at full volume I can hear nothing of the outside world. My sillyness really.

[sparky66 Graduate]

Well done, sounds like one of they runs when you feel you were born to Run!!! 🙌🏃Makes us appreciate all the hard work it took to get here ☺️

Yes be careful on those roads!! 🎧👂

[nowster Graduate]

Air drums? Maybe there's Something In The Air Tonight?

[Hidden in reply to nowster]

😁 very good nowster.

When I get carried away with the music and running I am banging my arms away like Keith Moon. 🤣

[Cmoi Graduate]

Sounds like great fun Hidden , apart from the whoops-that's-a-car moment, that is!

[Hidden]

It was fabulous Cmoi . When I can control my heart rate by keeping a nice easy going pace I always seem to have really enjoyable runs.

As for nearly getting squashed well, that was my fault for not concentrating and getting carried away 🤔

[Roxdog Graduate]

Air drums! Love it! Wise words too about safety.

[Hidden in reply to Roxdog]

Yes, I'm doing air drums, Air guitars and aeroplanes. I need to get a grip 🤣🤣

At least if I leave my music at home it would just be aeroplanes ✈. I sound like a lunatic 🤣🤣🤣

[DylanTheRabbit Graduate]

I'm loving these good run posts. They will also motivate me to get back to it as soon as the poor old foot allows.

[Hidden in reply to DylanTheRabbit]

Oh no! I didn't realise your foot was still giving you pain 😢. Is it getting any better? Have you had it looked at? I really hope you can get yourself better soon so you can experience those good runs again.

[Getfitordietrying Graduate]

It was the same for me when I was doing C25K. People used to ask whether I enjoyed running. To which the answer was I do when I stop😆😆😆. The turning point for me was not trying to keep up with everybody else’s time, but to embrace slower running so that I could keep going for longer periods. This just felt so right. So for anyone out there who is gritting their teeth as they run, maybe slow it right down and see how that feels. This I think is especially true for us older runners out there. You’ll still get there😎

[Hidden in reply to Getfitordietrying]

Absolutely perfect advice 👌

I too have discovered the pleasure of running by slowing down and not comparing myself to others 👍

Its taken me a while, but the penny has finally dropped. Phew!

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Ah Alan, that sounds great apart from nearly getting killed on the road, do be careful, one ear bud works well in letting you hear what’s going on around you or turn the music down a bit and use it as background rather than what you’re concentrating on. Lovely place to run and great photos