Blue sky running!

[Cmoi]

Inspired by a post from Roxdog over on the Bridge to 10K forum, I did something I haven't done since completing C25K: I ran with no tracking at all.

No Garmin. No Strava. No idea of distance, let alone pace. Didn't even look at the clock when I left, so unsure how long I was out for, though probably somewhere between 30 minutes and an hour.

No route planning either; I simply went out and let my feet decide where to go. I thought I'd be heading down the road and along the track to the top of the hill that overlooks my original C25K routes, but no.

I ended up going the other way, into the forest, on the proper trails. Ran for a while then had to stop to clamber over felled trees that were blocking the path. Heard a cracking noise, and saw a deer bounding away from me.

Jogged back down a track to reach the road through the forest, where I ran uphill for a little way, then made my way back to the forest with frequent photo-stops (see pic.) More log-wrangling followed, then a detour over velvety green moss before tackling a very narrow bramble-and nettle-laden path which emerges at the top of the hill that faces our house. Another quick stop to take in the views and capture a couple of shots of the Chaîne des Puys, then back down a recently cleared but still lumpy bumpy track to get home.

I loved it, but was surprised how challenging I found it to go out and run when I knew I'd have no stats to show for it. I need to do it more often.

[Roxdog 10 Miles]

I love your post! Especially the detours on your run! Does it for me every time! Haha, me, inspiring someone! Take care

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Roxdog]

Thanks, and you take care too Roxdog 😘

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Hmm. Why did I feel anxious reading that? 🤷‍♀️🙊🤔🙈😍

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to linda9389]

I was telling my brother, a runner with 40 years' experience, about it this morning. He said he didn't think he could do it!

[Rising60 in reply to Cmoi]

That's the scariest phrase of your post - to think that your little brother could have 40 years' experience of running. I do know how old we are, but that does rub it in!

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon]

Running without tech 😳….. I don’t know if I could do it 😂. My hat’s off to you. I might need to try it sometime.

[SkiMonday Ultramarathon]

That sounds like a fun run (although I'm not sure that I like the idea of the brambles and nettles). I guess it's one of the positives of not training for anything specific.

Think the closest that I'm likely to get to that is using my watch to track my run but without looking at it. Thinking about it, I reckon I've done that before now: just heading out with no idea which way I'm going to go.

I've also enjoyed heading out for something around 10k with a rough idea of my route but at a really relaxed pace.

[RunWillie Marathon]

I love that you did this Cmoi but sadly probably won’t ever venture out without tracking!😳

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Sounds just gorgeous! I once drove to a run route and realised I had left the Garmin at home. Talk about panic for an instant 🙀 I was even about to drive back to get it and then realised that was stupid so I ran without it. A bit strange but I did enjoy the run. Have I done it again? Nope 🙄

[Chesterlove]

It’s odd how addicted to stats we are. I’d find that hard

[Raisemeup]

I quite agree, I call it free falling (but no falling involved of course). I think you just have to let go of all measures and let the run take you where it will. It feels more instinctive and a bit like yoga when you 'listen to your body'!Well done and best wishes ☺️

[Hidden]

Like someone before said: I also felt anxious reading your post! I don't do anything with my stats, but I do NEED to know how long and how far I have run. I kinda feel as if if I don'd have a proof of it, that I might as well not have done it! Scary indeed how dependent we (or at least some of us) are on tech!

And as for your run, I wish I could say it sounds lovely, but climbing over trunks, brambles, ...? I don't know... The deer on the other hand sounds magical to see on a run!