Wet & muddy trail run - gotta keep running as I have the London Winter Run next month -

This was enormous fun, despite the fact that my breathing isn’t yet back to normal. I started off down the Ock Valley nature walk, over the weir, where someone was fishing, then past the abbey ruins to the Thames Path.

This was where the fun really began. The Thames is very high, sending a powerful volume of water through the weir. I would not have liked to have fallen in - absolutely no chance of survival I would have thought.

The meadows the other side of the river, past the lock, are muddy and waterlogged. At the end, before I reached the bridge into town, my shoes were under water at one point. The Hoka Challengers drain well though, so my feet were perfectly warm and comfortable.

Through town, then along the Thames again by Saint Helen’s church and wharf, where geese, ducks, swans and pigeons congregate.

Just 4.25km at a pace of around 7.30min/km. VO2 Max 41. I’m still having to take rest breaks as I literally come to a grinding halt after five minutes running, my legs refuse to keep going - not enough oxygen in the blood I’m guessing (though that contradicts the VO2 Max). Gotta keep running. My GP says there is no miracle cure but that it won’t do any harm running with the chest thing. X-ray before the end of the month. I don’t want to walk/run the race next month, but I will if I have to. Hell, I’ll drag myself along on my stomach for that glorious medal!

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

Good to hear from you Flick, glad you enjoyed your run, no way would you have survived if you had fallen into the Thames, that's a good pace, 7.30min/km, good luck for your London Winter Race next month, you are such a inspiration to everyone on this forum.

[Hidden in reply to AlMorr]

It’s a good pace over rough ground, but it wasn’t continuous because of my current breathing problems. But I do seem to have got faster since the HM training. And you are very kind x

[AlMorr Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

👍

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

I ran along part of the Thames path earlier this week, in very similar conditions. The Thames has been so high this winter - Henley and Remenham were particularly bad when I cycled there at Christmas (I put some photos on strava for you but I don't think you saw them). Your distance is gradually increasing, hang on in there. How's your knee?

[Hidden in reply to linda9389]

This bit of the Thames path is ok, bar the mud, but the stretch from here to Oxford is horrible : tree roots, hummocks and a path literally a foot’s width till you get to the tarmacced tow path after Sandford. What that’s like in winter I dread to think. The last bit today is where they have parkrun and it’s been under water for most of December.

The knee is so much better with the Hokas. The heel drop is a bit lower than the Ons and I prefer it. No knee pain at now.

I’m going to look for your Strava pics!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Hidden]

December 23rd strava.com/activities/29512...

[Hidden in reply to linda9389]

Oh my goodness, that looks like the drive we had from Abingdon to Sutton Courtenay on Christmas Day. The fields were flooded. Beautiful photos. I didn’t see that post. Sometimes posts don’t come up on my feed.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Hidden]

It was spectacular, and quite the day to go over the weir on that funny walkway. It was the first time I'd done the route, so quite an adventure ... but I did think of you 🙂

[Hidden in reply to linda9389]

Yes, that walkway between raging waters looks scary!

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Well done Flick - take it easy and I'm sure you will soon feel back to full health and like many of us - holding that most beautiful of medals!!😍🏅❄️ I am looking forward to mine too! Fingers crossed for your X-ray.🙂

[Hidden in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandra. The infection is gone I think but it’s left me with this breathlessness. My GP says it’s fine to run though.

Oh, that bling! It was literally my motivation for entering; but I think the run route will be amazing too, round the ancient inner city x

[Slinkymalinki]

A lovely run, Flick! There's little signs of Spring in these pics which is good for the mind & soul. Glad your Hokas are making a difference to your knee issues. Hope your chest/breathlessness sorts itself out soon. X

[Hidden in reply to Slinkymalinki]

Thank you 😊❤️ Yes, spring is so close! And it was a great run despite my stop start progress due to breathing x

[Hidden]

Well done Flick! One question .. how do you run and take beautiful photos at the same time ? I’m hopeless at that I just can’t do it 🤗🤗. Hope you are feeling better 🤗🤗x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I stop for a few seconds, pausing my watch. I tend to take more at the beginning and end of the run, but I will stop mid run if something grabs me. Obviously if I’m running a race I don’t take photos, but I think it’s fine to pause briefly otherwise 😊

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Yes I do that too!

If I want to have a couple of seconds walking just to catch my breath or when chatting to neighbours who are out walking. But I don’t stop for long though as I just want to get on with running🏃‍♀️A pause doesn’t hurt anyone🤣🤣

Take care now!

[Mummycav]

I have running envy reading this Hidden , it sounds and looks like a lovely place to run...and you sound at peace running there too, perfect! Next months run will be here before you know it and I know you will prepare yourself well...but no pressure right? If you have to run/walk it so be it..,you’ve been poorly and it’s really taken it out of you. You will do what’s right for you on the day and however you get that gorgeous bling we will all be so proud of you my lovely friend xx

[Hidden in reply to Mummycav]

Thank you Bev 😊 I will walk parts of it if I have to - I’ve never done that in a race but there’s always a first time. After today’s run at hilly Blenheim I’m feeling more confident though xxx