A heron, a kestrel, 15k and a blister

[MutleyShuffle]

Went for my long run alongside the Royal Military canal at Pett Level today. Right at the start a heron flapped up in front of me and then a bird of prey (a kestrel I think) started flying from one telegraph pole to the next just ahead of me. Got my phone out to take a picture of the kestrel and it took off, just managed to get him and the heron in the same shot - you have to zoom right in to make them out! That was a special start to the run.

The levels got a bit samey after a bit - lots of sheep and miles of flat grassland. It was a nice change when I turned off onto Sea Road, the road into Winchelsea Beach, and a little lane called Jenny Lane, for a bit of cute house-spotting. Then I got a bit lost trying to find the path to Camber Castle, which I never found. And the ball of my foot got sore around 10k in and hurt for the rest of the run. The last stretch along the seafront was a bit of a chore - the path was very narrow with stones either side, so I had to keep looking down at my feet, which isn't a good posture, it makes my neck ache.

Anyway, made it to 15k, my furthest run yet, so I'm pleased about that. But silly me, I wish I hadn't decided to wear an old pair of running shoes just to save my new ones getting muddy! Bad decision! I have a painful blister now on the ball of my left foot. Forgot to buy the blister plasters @mountaindreamer recommended when I went into town this afternoon - will buy them tomorrow. Feel a bit disappointed that I have a mini-injury, but I'm sure it won't take long to heal, and I will definitely wear my new shoes next time! Lesson learned! 😳

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

A great long run. It's hard to carry on when the blisters are burning - I know - so extra well done for that. Hope they heal really fast for you and the new ones give you the comfort you need for long runs Compeed will really help while you're waiting.

[MutleyShuffle Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thanks L 😊

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon]

That sounds like a lovely run..... except for the blister - ouch!

Have you seen the Saturday afternoon run with Hastings Runners is going to be different parts of the HM course (except Queensway)? I might try and get along to a couple of sessions once I'm "uninjured" x

[MutleyShuffle Half Marathon in reply to pianoteacher]

Oh no, are you injured again? I must've missed it - or I've forgotten, my brain is very seive-like these days 😳 Yes I saw they are doing Sat pm HM training runs - I am thinking of going to one or two near the end of Jan. Hope to see you there!

Yes it was a lovely run apart from the painful blister - I love discovering new routes, I'm finding my inner adventurer! 😁

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to MutleyShuffle]

Unfortunately I've got some sort of calf strain ☹️ Walked parkrun this morning and it's feeling much better this evening so fingers crossed I'll be back soon.

Saturday afternoons aren't always free as I often go to watch football but I want to try to get along to some of the sessions as I think running some of the course will up my confidence. Hopefully see you there sometime x

[MutleyShuffle Half Marathon in reply to pianoteacher]

That's good you're taking it easy... Hope it's sorted soon x

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Great run and distance! Sorry about the blister though. I’ve also startled a red-tail hawk once, and found a fox on my lawn the same run. Another run featured a heron. Some are just wildlife runs I suppose 🦊

[MutleyShuffle Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

Yes it's always a nice surprise 😊

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

It's so lovely to see wildlife when out on the run - I'm a fool for a heron 😊 I spotted a hare on one of my summer trail runs, but there was no chance of a photo - it was gone!!

Well done for the 15K - the half marathon gap is closing fast!! Hope your blister heals up in no time xxx

[MutleyShuffle Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Thanks Abi, yes HM distance is in sight! 🤗 Blister almost healed already, phew! Wow, I don't think I've ever seen a hare - lucky you! xx

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to MutleyShuffle]

That's good news - excellent!!

I was very excited to see that hare 😊

[Sqkr Half Marathon]

Herons are so funny, just casually standing about the place like garden ornaments. I take photos of all sorts of birds and beasts when I'm out but they inevitably end up as unidentifiable tiny dots in my pictures. So frustrating that telephoto phones aren't yet a thing 🤔

[MutleyShuffle Half Marathon in reply to Sqkr]

I just upgraded my phone and it's so nice to be able to take a photo pretty much instantly - when I tried to get the pic of the kestrel I pressed the camera shutter button then had to wait a few seconds for it to take the photo - lucky I got a photo at all! I'm hoping the pics will be better quality now 🤗

[ju-ju- Marathon]

Well done, and ouch on the blister. Running shoes are meant to be really muddy otherwise they are gym shoes for lightweights!!! - you can always hose them down afterwards?

[MutleyShuffle Half Marathon in reply to ju-ju-]

Yes you're right, I don't know what I was thinking trying to keep them all shiny and new! Just ran in them this morning and they are so cushioned and comfy, they are staying on for every run now, muddy or not!

[C3PO Marathon]

Congratulations on your run. I agree about the shoes - don't think about beauty, think about healthy feet!

[MutleyShuffle Half Marathon in reply to C3PO]

Absolutely, I had a barbie moment, don't know what got into me! 😂

[misswobble Marathon]

I’m always nursing blisters 🙄. I always have a good soak in an Epsom salts bath 🛁

It’s great being out in the wild 😁. I often wear my oldest beat up shoes for the wetter,muddier runs

[MutleyShuffle Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Yes that was my thinking, but now my old beat up shoes have given me a blister I will stick with the nice new ones 😊