Beautiful 4K run at Shotover - Fun Beyond 10K & ...

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Beautiful 4K run at Shotover

11 Replies

My chest is still a bit tight and I’m still fatigued, so this is my first run for days. Kate and I went to Shotover, a national park/nature reserve kind of place in Oxford. The day was cold but sunny, perfect weather for a steady off road run taking photos.

I didn’t wait long enough for my watch to lock on properly to a satellite, with the result that I lost the first half of this run - which is a pain as I was actually going at an easy, steady 6.30-7.30min/km for most of it (I know because I kept looking at my watch). After weeks of really slow running, it’s a relief to find I actually can get my pace up a bit, though too late for the half marathon.

We ran through autumn woods along very muddy paths with a lot of huge puddles. The recent rain has left its mark. There were glorious views of countryside alight with autumn colour, including around the folly, which is an 18th century temple recently renovated (see sign). Just a sparkling, glorious run. There were loads of people out on horseback or with dogs, and several other runners.

I took my inhaler with me this time, which I’ve never done before but my chest isn’t 100% yet. Even so, I had to walk for short stretches uphill, then walked the last quarter of a kilometre as I was fatigued by then. Still, I’m way better than I was a few days ago, and running in the fresh air lifted my spirits. I’m interested in how these long runs like half and full marathons seem to strain the immune system. I’m not the only one to comment on that.

On the way back we got caught up in the massive motorbike parade for that policeman who was shot recently - literally hundreds of them, many flying the thin blue line flag. They are still passing my house over an hour later.

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11 Replies
AlMorr profile image
AlMorrHalf Marathon

Those are lovely photos that you took today Flick, so your pace is a bit faster now, that is really good news, after all that ☔ rain you can only expect to see a lot of puddles. 😊

Beautiful day where I live, this morning I was cheering on around 250 runners on a HM trail run, it meant that they got very muddy on parts of the course, I was at the pre race runners briefing, cheered them off, at the end of the run I congratulated some of the runners, one of them told me he enjoyed the run like you enjoyed your run today. 😊 🏃🏾

in reply to AlMorr

Wasn’t it gorgeous this morning. A perfect autumn day! Your outing sounds good. X

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrHalf Marathon in reply to

👍 🏃🏾 😊

SlowLoris profile image
SlowLoris

Nice run Flick

in reply to SlowLoris

Thank you. It was a treat to go out there today

SlowLoris profile image
SlowLoris in reply to

I did a new distance PB today. It was perfect running weather.

in reply to SlowLoris

Brilliant, well done. It really was perfect

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsHalf Marathon

So glad you got out for a lovely, sunny run, Flick. ❤️ Don’t worry, your stamina will come back in time. Recovery after a HM can take a bit of time, but with each run you do you will get stronger and back to form. 👍 Lovely pictures. xxx

in reply to Sadie-runs

Thank you lovely Sadie. I’m certainly improving compared to a few days ago! Today’s run was a gift xxx

linda9389 profile image
linda9389AdministratorMarathon

Glad you're feeling brighter - you definitely sound more positive 🙂. It was the most glorious day wasn't it, especially after yesterday!

in reply to linda9389

Thank you. Yes feeling a lot better though still tired. Unbelievable day but some whopping puddles after all that rain !

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