Running naked in the rain.

[limberlou]

Well I’ve been a bit demotivated lately so I thought I’d mix it up a bit. Instead of grabbing headphones, running belt, buff, sunglasses ( obvs didn’t need them today ), water, phone etc I just ran. Just tee shirt , capris and trainers. Very liberating.

I started off with my warm up walk and 2 mins in my knee was niggling. And then the rain started so part of me wanted to turn round and go back to bed but no!! I thought even if I just go round the block I might as well run now. And the knee settled quickly ( trying it on I think) and off I went. Just a gentle drizzle so quite nice really. As I crossed the road and started trotting gently a serious runner with his hydration vest on and sweatband/buff etc shot past me like a speeding bullet. “yeah right mate !! You carry on” I growled to myself. 😡 “ I’ll just do 3... maybe 4K and do a longer one on Sunday”. So I carried on, across the lower end of the High Street, and off towards the Civic Centre and then right onto The Tarka Trail. I decided as my legs and arms were aching somewhat from extensive gardening yesterday and also too many of myPilates exercises,🤣 that I would try run/walk a bit. I ran for 8 mins and walked for 1, and it seemed a bit easier. So I carried on like that. The rain was getting steadier now and although it wasn’t very cold it was getting a bit annoying.

So in my head I’m thinking “2k out and 2k back and that’s it”. But when I got to 2k I thought I might as well do 30 mins out and 30 mins back. So then when I got to 3.5 I thought “ sod it I’ll turn round and just do 7k. That’s not too bad...”

So I turned and then suddenly it seemed easier. Strangely too,as the wind was now against me, but I had hit my stride. I just ran continuously from there on and when I got back to Pottington Estate entrance I thought I’ve got a bit more in the tank after all and turned off and ran down the Estate and back and then turned off towards Chadiford Lane and the rest of my usual 5k route. I plodded along there thinking “ I can make it to 8k” and then I decided to pop into the cut through and trot through there and then back along Pottington Road and pootled around until suddenly it was 10k!!!

Well that was a surprise!!! And now I’ve had my shower and breakfast and Just got back from Emma where I had my Sports Massage. It’s a good day after all. 😁 Who cares about the rain???? Not me. Feet up now with a cat or two and my crochet..... Netflix and chill. Now which cat to cuddle ??? I think Luna has already decided for me....

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon]

Luna has definitely laid claim, I’d say 😻

Sometimes the best runs are the whatever will be will be kind of runs. It's nice to sometimes just listen to the body and let the feet carry you where ever they want to instead of always following a rigid plan.

[limberlou Half Marathon in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Yeah I’ve been pushing myself and it’s not as though I’ve entered a race so I don’t need to -today I just ran and enjoyed it ( well most of it🤣)

[Oldfloss Administrator]

Great stuff....going with it produces the most pleasant, and rewarding of runs sometimes

[limberlou Half Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

Yup. I think I’ve been concentrating on going further and further and not enjoying the actual run so much.

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Lovely post! So great when it all just 'happens' like that! Well done on your run - enjoy Netflix and cats (they are very beautiful btw😍 - I love cats! )🙂

[limberlou Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks I think so too 💕

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Ooh, well done you! You turned that around wonderfully! I did the opposite on my bike today - took rainjacket and music to help keep me dryer and to distract me from the inevitable discomfort!

[limberlou Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

You seem to be doing with your bike what I did last year with my walking. Determined not to lose fitness. You are doing so well to stay motivated with your injury. You’ll soon be back running again 🤞

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to limberlou]

You're my inspiration. Seriously. I can't wait to be where you are now, you did a fantastic job of managing your recovery.

[limberlou Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thankyou. My sports masseuse said the same thing today. I inherited the “ cantankerous gene” from my mum... and passed it down to all 4 kids. We do not give up!!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to limberlou]

I might just have that gene too 😍

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Aw that's lovely - great work!!!

And - you have FOUR cats??? 😻😻😻😻

[limberlou Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Fraid so. I’ve only had 2 most of my life and the eldest are 9 and 7. But the 2 little black ones( not from same litter) are just over a year old and were rescue kitties last October. I picked one and my daughter picked the other then her job transferred her 120 miles away and by that time Roma has become part of the pride so she’s stayed with her “Nanma”. She follows me everywhere like a tiny dog. She was very ill when we got her and by the 3rd day she ended up staying over night at the vets for 4 nights and we nearly lost her then. I think that’s what stunted her growth so she is like a 6 month kitten still whereas my floofy Luna is part Maine Coon/ part Beast of Bodmin ( they came from Cornwall) and enormous.

So yes, I now have 4 cats😁

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to limberlou]

😻😻😻😻

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon]

Good on ya 💪🏻👍🏻😁

Although go easy on the other runner... I'm usually out in my vest, hope I don't bring on that response... we're all just doing a step at a time 😉🙈

[limberlou Half Marathon in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

No he went past me and I was nearly bowled over by the draft. He was seriously shifting. And I now have a running vest but still won’t be running THAT fast in it🤣🤣

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon in reply to limberlou]

🤣🤣🤣

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

I LOVE your cats LL! 🐱 🐈❤️

What a super run. Really “organic”, materialising as you went. Fantastic! The rain is still a novelty to me after the heat and humidity recently so I’m not complaining - and neither are you it seems! Brilliant. 👏👏👏

[limberlou Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I love them too. 😁

I’ve decided not to stress about my distance run and just do it when the mood takes me. Too much on my mind at the mo with TWO new jobs in the offing. No sooner did I sign up for the 3 mornings starting next week, than I was offered a little ad hoc admin job for 10-12 hours a week too( which is more what I was looking for in the first place.

So I’m thinking I’ll do the 3 months trial at my old place ( which I didn’t really want to go back to ), pay for my new back door and a couple of other things and then jack it in in time to have Xmas off again. And just keep the admin one on.

And I’m going to work at my distance when I feel like it.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to limberlou]

Wow, you have loads on your plate. Smart move being flexible with your distance runs - you want to keep them fun, not a chore. 😀

[skysue16 Half Marathon in reply to limberlou]

It sounds like you are busy, but your plan sounds good. I am also starting a new job in September but hoping it won't impact on my run days. It is good that you managed to get out for a run and 10k in the end, great!