I only knew Tim as a virtual friend freely offering advice and suggestions to anyone who asked.Well this morning at 7.41am I ran in his memory.
I started my brisk warm up walk from our holiday apartment at Cabo Girao, Madeira just metres from the skywalk situated on the highest cliff in Europe (580ms).
After some help from FB I found you could get a flatish run if you followed the 'levadas'; man made paths alongside water channels running through the very hilly geography of Madeira. My advisor had run 18km's in one go on them so I thought running 5k would be possible.
I sussed out one with a short walk. The challenge would be not falling down the drops and had some uneven footings and a dark tunnel to be negotiated, twice.
Well the run started on probably the worst part of a small levada so full concentration was needed, then I got to the tunnel and needed to turn on the torch on my phone, I could hardly see at parts so used my head and walked. If I fell in the water I may be there for hours. I felt with trepidation that I may not finish the run or decide it was too dangerous. Getting to the other end I could see an 'executive class' track adjacent to a wider levada so shot off feeling that I may actually enjoy the run and make the full 5k.
After another 1k I had to cross a road and found myself heading up someones very long and steep steps. Obviously I'd gone wrong somewhere and doubled back the 30mtrs to the road. I headed down the hill hoping to pick up the track with no luck so again double backed and returned the way I'd come; a little more difficult as the slope was very steep. Well if I had to cut the run short at least I tried.
Taking in the views of the spectacular island. I approached the tunnel again and could see the 'executive' levada continued the other way. I had no idea where it went but it was flat and 2 people wide, so I went along it passing lovely cottages and bungalows with their gardens full of produce. It is Sunday so there were very few people out and about. The church bells were ringing across the valley.
I turned at 3.5k which I hoped would bring me back to my starting point for 5k. The tunnel was a little lighter but I still needed the torch about half way and walked a bit. I don't know what hit my head, just a light tap which skewed my baseball cap but it made me jump. But not as much as the footfalls I heard behind me and I thought that's my luck there's nowhere to pull in or get out the way. I came out of the dark to be welcomed by a brilliant sunrise. There was no-one behind me so were those footfalls echoes of my own or was it.....
Coming out into the sunrise was great and, although the track was a bit dodgy I kept running and yes, I smiled 😁
Week 7 Run 2 - Early morning run !
Frosty morning run - W6R3
morning run
I've managed my first full 5k run this morning 😀
Any advice on head torches? 
