A cooler run...and in praise of mountain bikers! 🚴

[Sandraj39]

What a difference a day makes! Cooler, breezy and showery🌥🌦 - it was lovely out and on my trails this morning. Some of my route is on the Downs Link, once the local railway line - now a 37 mile public footpath and bridleway linking the North and South Downs. I sometimes pass other runners, walkers and cyclists of course and just recently have been struck by the courtesy shown between most(😉) of the above. Groups of cyclists often announce themselves as they get closer behind and tell you how many are coming by. On the last couple of occasions this has happened they have all thanked me too as they have ridden past! Little gestures like this mean such a lot - in the same way that runners acknowledging each other does, I guess.

Anyway, a nice meandering 10k - taking in a few fields and farm roads as usual. Lots of wildlife 🐰🐿🐑 and then back home having acheived my GreatRun Solo target of 75k in 28 days (plus a little extra!). My next plan is to start those dreaded hill intervals and work on speed a little before upping my distance again if the niggly knee remains happy!🤞

Wishing you all good runs this weekend! 🙂

[Hidden]

Wowzers

You are on absolute fire!

Well done, that is some distance in 28 days. Another cooler 10k in the bag so rest up and think about how far you've come 😁

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Thank you - lets just hope I can extend my distance and pace whilst remaining injury free now! 🤞The important thing is that I am really enjoying my running at the moment - as always, it gets me though the hard times and helps me celebrate the good! We are so lucky to run! 😀

[Hidden in reply to Sandraj39]

Gosh. I totally agree. Running without injury is so liberating. I've managed 67 miles so far this month as I've finally recovered from my knee troubles. Feels amazing. Thankful and grateful.

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

67 miles....almost 108 km according to my phone! Amazing!👏👏 Here's to our happy knees! 💪🙂

[David_G Metric Marathon]

Sounds great Sandraj39 I find most other road/path users are courteous and respectful👍 I like to think I treat them the same😊

I really must get out and have a go at trail running again. I haven’t found any down where I’ve been staying by the seaside🏖 so I think I’ll have to ask Google when I get back!🙂

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to David_G]

Trails are THE best! 💕

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Sounds wonderful! Such a welcome change in the weather today 😊. Well done on the GRS.

I always try to thank people whether on my bike (when I also generally apolgize for my rude bell/squeaky brakes etc 😂) or running (thanking cars, bikes and pedestrians). I always appreciate it from others and it helps put a smile on everyone's face - even those who don't appreciate the rain so much 😂

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

A little kindness goes a long way doesn't it Linda! 😁

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

It really, really does 😊

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Sounds a great run Sandra, just the weather we like 🙂 The cyclists and horse riders around here are all very courteous too, exercise obviously releases happy hormones 😊

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

..I think it does IP! ☺️💕🏃🏽‍♀️

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Sounds ideal Sandra, really well done! 👏👏 Your whole post sounds happy! ❤️🏃‍♀️

I too love trails, and I’m missing my favourite towpath by the river where I did almost all of my longer runs last year. I simply don’t know how busy it is at the moment, nor do I know if it’s been maintained. There are some parts which get pretty overgrown, therefore narrow. But I need to give it a go soon - I can’t manage HM training on my beloved common! Your post has made me determined to go back to the river!

Happy running to you! 😘

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

You might find that its been cut back a bit cheeky. They've actually strimmed back a lot of plants from either side of the Downs Link here, this year - I assume to help with social distancing. They don't normally do that but it really helps!👍

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Oooo I do hope so Sandra. I’ll need to go and investigate won’t I? It does make sense. 🤞👍

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Lovely run Sandra and well done to your cyclists. We have a bit of a mixture down here - those who are considerate and those who don’t give a damn about anyone but themselves, cycling on pavements and the prom and being a danger to others. The same could be said of the pedestrians though. I seem to be always the one looking ahead and moving out of the way for others.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Me too Dexy5 . Whether I’m walking or running, it’s always me who diverts or makes way. 😠 🙄

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to cheekychipmunks]

😤

[Run46 Half Marathon]

I love it when others are friendly and courteous while out doing there thing...it feels good, like we're supporting each other and all in it together.

I also loved the cooler weather and a bit of rain yesterday, so much more pleasant to run in 😊

Congrats on exceeding your goal for the month, that's a decent distance you managed 👍👏

[skysue16 Half Marathon]

We also run on a disused railway line, they are great. Having 37 miles to choose from is amazing, is that Mr Beeching’s doing?!

Some cyclists are very considerate but others don’t realise that I can’t hear them behind me when I am puffing, and give me a shock! ‘Bell or yell’ - new slogan 🤣

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

"Bell or yell!" - love that! 😂 and yes, good old Mr Beeching!