I was away from home this weekend so ran late morning today, Sunday, in tribute to Tim at Broomhead Reservoir, Ewden Valley, on the Peak District border close to Bolsterstone, near Sheffield. It is, simply, beautiful and tranquil, so I felt it was a fitting location for a meditative and spiritual tribute run for Tim, precisely as he explained to me what running really is, after I said running isn’t what I thought it was.
9°C. No rain. Damp underfoot. Some cloud. I ran Week 5, Run 3 of Ju-Ju’s Magic Plan, which happened to be the 20-minute run of this week after running 50 minutes on Friday.
I warmed up with babbling brooks and inlets nearby. I put my Chill Mix on, and it’s excellent. I ran partly on a layer of deciduous leaves but mostly on an extremely long, cushioning ‘runner’ carpet of coniferous pine needles. The reservoir is surrounded by managed pine forests. In all, there were only several cars passing, a handful of cyclists, a clutch of hikers and a few dog walkers. They all knew why they were there: to appreciate the wonder of that splendid place and we all showed it due regard, mostly in awe.
At times I ran too quickly then adjusted with self-coaching as taught by Tim (IannodaTruffe), Instructor57 and MummyCav to keep it at a conversational pace. I settled. I kept running. I kept smiling.
My warm down was beside the reservoir among the trees. What a gift it was.
Thank you Dear Mentor Tim for your inspiration and teaching. You improved my life, and that of so many others, and who wouldn’t want that to be said of them?