Week 9 Run 1

[Jools2020]

So … I’m away for a few days and I wasn’t sure if and when I’d be able to run. The routes round here are tricky and hilly. But I found a back route to a lake and although it was a longer walk to get there, boy - it was worth it! Even though it was a ‘there and back’ run. It was fabulous! Almost a trail - with gaps in the trees for wonderful views.

My walk was largely uphill but even that felt Ok as it was like an adventure! I found the path I was looking for and started to run. A few runners and dog walkers about. I saw squirrels, rabbits and a fox. The birdsong was loud. I was barely thinking about the run!

The route was fairly flat and although the sights were taking my attention I was conscious of speeding up slightly through the run as my body warmed up. I knew I’d get to 3K and mentally I was done then, but I had a few more minutes to go! I thought I slowed down then, but momentum must have kept me going. When I stopped I realised I was warm!

So 30 minutes done. 3.5k (very happy with that) and negative splits to boot! 😊🏃‍♀️👍

[CBDB Graduate]

I actually prefer out and back routes, as I seem to always be on some sort of plan and it helps with getting times or mileage correct.

And that picture looks like a beauty of a route! Congrats for finding it! I can see that there l will be much happy running through the seasons on this route!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to CBDB]

Yes, you’re right. I turned round at the halfway bell - forgetting that I run faster for the second half of the run, so had to run on a very narrow path at the end! Long grass and wet legs 🤣.

The path I was running on leads to a fabulous lake. Great for longer runs later as you can run all the way round it! Perfection for me running near water. It’s an 8K run. Can’t wait to drive to it and do that one!

[Gthants in reply to Jools2020]

8k! I reckon 5k is about 35-37 minutes for me, so sometime in the autumn. 8k (if I make it that far), would be about 2026! 🤣🤣

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Gthants]

I’ll keep this post and remind you of it when you run your first 10K 😊

[Gthants in reply to Jools2020]

🤣🤣🤣

[Gthants]

Great finding somewhere new to run - a run with a view is just great!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Gthants]

it makes all the difference!

[Dendev75 Graduate]

Well done, it sounds like a great run with all the wildlife to keep you occupied 😊

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Dendev75]

Thanks, I really enjoyed it!

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Jools, that looks so beautiful, I want to run there, your run perfect, out and back and negative splits 😃 enjoy the rest of week 9

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

It was really lovely. First time in ages I was actually distracted from running!

[Zev1963 Graduate]

That looks really nice. It's good to find a new route from time to time. 🙂

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Zev1963]

I was surprised at the difference it made!

[Birdlady64 Graduate]

That sounds wonderful Jools. And perfect for longer runs in future. Only 2 more to go now, you are smashing it. Well done! 👏

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Birdlady64]

Thanks, Diane. I think the walk to the lake and back is about 8K. I walked it when I was up here last. Then 8K Round the lake itself. Perfect for a 10 miler in the autumn when I’m ready for it! 😊

[Birdlady64 Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

Ooh! Get you! But great that you have plans

[ToothPickJafah Graduate]

That’s a lovely photo Jools, and well done you! 👏 high fives 🙌 and fist bumps 🤜🤛 for negative splits!

Hope you enjoy your time away! 💜🤗🖤

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to ToothPickJafah]

Thanks! I’m enjoying it so far. Hopefully I’ll fit another run in 🙂

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

Beautiful location! It sounds like the whole of nature was out to greet you too! Negative splits an added bonus too. Two to go before you’re a graduate again. Time to plan some celebrations…

[nowster Graduate]

From the look of it on your Strava trace that looks like a former railway (Churnet Valley Line) and part of the Staffordshire Way. Round the lake there's a preserved steam railway, too.

There's about 3.6km of good track going NW from where you started, and then about another 2km that might be of slightly lower quality. Definitely a good route for a 10km out-and-back. And going SE from where you started there's another 2km…

Nice and flat, too.

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to nowster]

Exactly, nowster. It’s gorgeous! The steam railway isn’t full size and isn’t fenced off, so run alongside it. SE from where I started doesn’t look fun, though. Very narrow trodden track and long grasses. Tick territory I would think! Round the lake is listed as 8km. Definitely some of that is lower quality as you say.

[Runninggirl59 Graduate]

What a fabulous run Jools it looks stunning. Enjoy your time away and onlytwo runs to go... 😀

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Runninggirl59]

Thanks! It was stunning. I had walked it before so I shouldn’t have been surprised 😊

[Roxdog Graduate]

A lovely adventure for you! Those are the best runs!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Roxdog]

You’re right. I even forgot how warm it was!

[Huffnpuf Graduate]

What a lovely photo, fantastic work 👏,

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Huffnpuf]

Just makes you want to run along there doesn’t it? Check out today’s photo by the lake itself!