Two shorts runs along the Ridgeway between White Horse Hill & Waylands Smithy & back again

Kate and I set off this morning in glorious sunshine to celebrate Samhain, the feast of the dead, with a run through a sacred landscape. So many souls we both know have passed this year that it felt right to traverse this ages old route and commune with the ancestors. The actual drive there was beautiful, mellow, and the countryside around echoed to times beyond memory.

My chest is still bad and the route is undulating, so even these two short runs tired me, yet my pace seems to be improving. I think if I’d been completely well, I would have picked it up faster still.

The Ridgeway is undulating and rutted, muddy in places and studded with large stones, so we had to pick our way carefully. I was glad of my trail shoes. It was bitingly cold too, but sunny and bright and clear. You could see sharp detail for miles around. The trees were alight with green, gold and coppery orange, especially the beeches round the Neolithic stones and burial mound at the Smithy.

The place was peaceful today, very still yet vibrant with rising earth energies. If you walk along the top of the burial mound, you can feel yourself pass through some sort of unseen gateway. Everything looks the same, but it feels different. A special place, and today, on the eve of the ancient festival of Samhain, very healing.

The return run was tougher as the wind was against us and running the uphill sections was a struggle. I was pretty knackered by the time we got back to the car.

Then the drive back through more beautiful old villages. We ate a huge bowl of pasta then lit candles for our beloved dead (mostly cats in my case!)

That’s two runs recently off road across beautiful landscapes. So special. It’s returned me to my favourite kind of running - trails with lots of photo stops- after the months of hard training for Oxford half. I may be a bit rash running with a chest infection, but it’s been so healing in other ways.

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

Great description of your Eve of Samhain run, I know tomorrow is a big day for you, don't run too far regarding your chest.

This morning for my midweek run, I ran a 5K in a slightly better time of last Wednesday today 32.11, last week 33.10.

[Hidden in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you Alan. I’m keeping the runs very short. There and back was under 4K and we had a long breather taking photos in between.

You’re doing very well with your 5k times!

[AlMorr Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

👍 🏃🏾

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon]

Awe Flick this sounds amazing and such a very special place to visit, I would love to go. I love places where you can feel the atmosphere change. The veil thins so I like the idea of loved ones being closer to us at this time of year. Xx

[Hidden in reply to Clairecandothis]

One day we should meet up and run there together. I’m speeding up - one split average pace was about 7.25min/km, and that’s with me ill - so I might not hold you up too much 😂 xx

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

I would love that Flick 😊. I'd have to work to get that pace now 🤣🤣 You are good getting out, I'm starting training tomorrow to get me moving again. I slept rather than run this morning and it's just too easy to give into sloth like tendencies! 🙈 xx

[Hidden in reply to Clairecandothis]

Tell me about it! That’s why I hate being forced to take time off running! It’s so easy not to go, but having a training plan or running most days makes you want to go! Xx

[Oldfloss Administrator]

Really beautiful..description and run...what a calming experience xxx

[Hidden in reply to Oldfloss]

It’s a very special area xxx

[Slinkymalinki]

What a beautiful, soulful way to remember those you have lost this year, Flick. Thanks for sharing these stunning pictures. Hope you are feeling better and are wrapped up in the warm. X

[Hidden in reply to Slinkymalinki]

Thank you 😊❤️

Getting better every day 🙂 I’m stuffed with pasta and Oreos and am watching rubbish tv x

[Slinkymalinki in reply to Hidden]

Ha ha! I'm at the houmous & wine stage whilst waiting for fish & chips! Cheers 🍷have a peaceful Samhain! X

[Hidden in reply to Slinkymalinki]

Thank you - quite funny: dog just kicking up because the local yoof banged on the door on their way past

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Sounds like a really therapeutic run, lovely photos too.

[Hidden in reply to linda9389]

Thank you 😊 it was just what I needed x

[Agelesslass Metric Marathon]

Aw wished I could have done that with you, it sounds wonderful. Fabulous time 🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️😀😀

[Hidden in reply to Agelesslass]

My lovely friend Kate knew just what to do to lift my spirits xx

[Agelesslass Metric Marathon]

Aw that’s so nice. Friends are so invaluable Flick 😀❤️

[Hidden in reply to Agelesslass]

yes they are! x

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

So nice to see the posts of enjoyable runs with beautiful photos now you’ve got the marathon out of the way Flick. Have a good festival .

[Hidden in reply to Dexy5]

Thank you lovely. It was only a half btw. But it’s lovely to get back to trail running with no goal for a while. I’m starting a training plan for the Winter London 10k in December (the race is in February) and it will be Marcothon, so I’m enjoying my freedom while I have it! X

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Hidden]

Only a half 😂😂 yes enjoying the running is the most important thing for me I think. That’s why I’m stopping at 10 miles. The London winter run looks nice - UTS has been checking that out but we might save ourselves for skiing instead.

[Hidden in reply to Dexy5]

Ah but the bling for that race is sublime and loads of us are doing itx

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Lovely post Flick and beautiful photos as always - what a special one. 🙂

[Hidden in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you. It’s one of those that will always stay with me xx

[Granspeed]

Lovely, evocative photos of that ancient trackway. They’ve given me an idea for next spring. 😊👍 Happy Festival, and get fully well soon.

[Hidden in reply to Granspeed]

Thank you, getting there slowly. Honestly, if you’re warmly clothed, it’s wonderful running it this time of year. Spring is lovely too because the hawthorn is blossoming along there x

[Granspeed in reply to Hidden]

Sounds gorgeous but it’s a trek for me from the bottom of the New Forest, so I do need to be confident I won’t be blown off the ridge! 😊

[Hidden in reply to Granspeed]

Haha, I understand - though the track itself is pretty sheltered by trees, bushes and dips in the landscape x

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Wow what beautiful landscape! This sounds like a very special place to move through.

[Hidden in reply to Decker]

It’s amazing and never fails to lift the spirits