Hello my fellow virtual running buddies! I’m up for hosting this week’s chat which has fallen kindly between Halloween and Guy Fawkes night so I shouldn’t be stuck for ideas 👍😃 I’ve decided to go with the recent Halloween and the topics of running nightmares and strange or spooky running happenings (inspired by Irish Princess’s spooky post on Saturday).
The photo you can see here was taken in the Sussex town of Lewes on Saturday while on a warm down walk after some serious hill sprints earlier in the day. I didn’t see the man dressed as a jester until he had passed me on the other side of the road. He seemed completely out of place yet weirdly quite normal too. The town has a very strange ambience to say the least and is steeped in English history. Quite a spooky place tbh. Reminded me of the film World’s End. 😂. Apologies if any VRBs are from Lewes. 😅 It’s actually a very pretty old town stacked with head turning old buildings and ancient narrow roads and even a beautiful castle. 👍😅
I’ve been having my fair share of running related nightmares too. For example most recently I bought a pair of running spikes that I have been waiting to be restocked for months. But I forgot to size down to my normal shoe size. By the time I noticed they’d all sold out again. Nightmare! 😖😩 I’ve plenty more but I’ll save those for another day 😀😬
What strange/spooky/unusual/plain weird things have you experienced on a run, and have you got any nightmare running scenarios, or stories to share?
And don’t forget to tell us how your running is going too. 👍😃
Have a great week everyone!
Brian
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There are now just under two weeks to go to the HUHM Autumn 2021 on Sunday 14th November at 9.30 am. Check out Linda9389’s post here for more details and signing up.
🥳 If you have an event coming up next month, or would like to find out what our VRBs are up to, look out for Irishprincess' brand new November Events post!
No spooky run stories yet although the local dugites are waking up! A couple have been spotted on the coastal path over the last week! I spent today’s run looking at the ground 😱🐍
Running is going well. I completed my 6th 100+ Mile month so I’m getting there on building those running legs. I’ve just started a new HM plan so I’m hoping that will keep me consistent with mileage over the Summer. I haven’t used a plan since the magic back in July 2020.
Have a great running week everyone ❤️🏃♀️🏃🏻♂️
My new running shoes. Slightly more maximalist than your racing shoes 🤣
Me too!! Scary. I’m reminded of that hilarious monster movie Tremors 😂 I’d stick to roads and pavements and not be looking anywhere except at the ground in front of me! 😱 Loving the shoes!! They’ll see you nicely through your upcoming HM training and beyond. Good luck with the running and I hope you manage to stay well clear of the dugits.
Thanks RunBrianRun 👍🏻The Dugits are very shy so won’t attack unless threatened or stepped on. They live in the dunes next to the paved path and sometimes venture out.
It is getting to the time of year when I go for the occasional lone night run up in the forest. Owls hooting, bats flying around and it is pitch black when the sky is overcast. I can see next to nothing beyond the beam of my headlamp. One night I saw a couple of bright red lights which seemed to be hovering a foot or so above the ground and coming towards me, weaving backwards and forwards. It eventually made contact!! The cold wet nose of a spaniel hit my calf… It just made me laugh. I reckon that there is nothing crazier than me up there. 🙂
You’re much braver than I am. I stick to daylight running whenever I can. If not then it’s the well lit streets for me. I once got a bit lost running to Newhaven and the darkness closed in around me in a desolate spooky spot near the cliff where there has been a recent cliff fall. I hate heights and it was all a bit too much for me, I walked slowly until I saw some lights in a house and was glad to be out of there!
Hi Brian! Thank you for posting the Chat this week!!!
Lewes looks so lovely, I really must get myself up there! Particularly if there are mediaeval types wandering about 😊😊😊
The weirdest thing I can remember on a run was the time I was going along the Downs Link heading towards Shoreham when a big deer jumped out of a hedge and started running towards me at full pelt!! I had stopped moving as soon as I saw it, so I suppose it just didn't see me. But it kept on coming and it was so odd I started to wonder if it was after me! Anyway, before I actually saw the whites of its eyes, a man on a bike showed up and the deer ran back into the hedge 😂
I also once had a scary encounter with a horse, but I think he just thought I had some food for him in my backpack. Most of my nightmare runs involve toilets, specifically the lack thereof 😂😂
Happy running, Brian and all! xxx
OK, the horse doesn't look very scary in this picture, but...
Have you heard about the fireworks displays and processions in Lewes!! There are seven societies that each have their own processions with all kinds of costumes from Moghuls to monsters, burning crosses etc. Really truly scary it’s positively mediaeval apparently. The beacons are all lit too. Each society has its own fireworks display where each year they try to out compete each other. Oh and year there’sa different giant size effigy of someone they dislike also being paraded through the streets and then set on fire. The previous one was Trump apparently. It’s not for small children or anyone with a nervous disposition as they throw crackers around and there’s burning tar barrels etc. I’m hoping to pop along 😅👍
Toilet queues at races are supposed to be quite stressful and sometimes a total nightmare. I’m with you on that!
I had heard about the Lewes fireworks, but mainly because every year the police implore people not to travel to it! I'm not surprised everyone wants to go though - sounds amazing!!!
Hi Brian and everyone! It’s fab to see you hosting this week’s chat and what an intriguing topic to kick it all off 👻
Apart from the scary faces in my puddles, the most frightening moment in a run was several years ago. I was totally alone in a little forest when out of nowhere came the Hound of the Baskervilles! He was huge and was making a beeline right for me. I literally stopped in my tracks and thought if he jumped up on me he would knock me over. Then at the last minute, his owner appeared from the undergrowth and led him away! Talk about being scared witless 😱
The running is going well. I’m working through a training plan for a 10K I have in December so there are no long runs which I miss terribly but I haven’t concentrated on my 10K’s for ages so I’m determined to see this through. It’s gorgeous running weather today 😍 Here is a photo from this morning’s run.
Hello IP 😊 That’s a beautiful picture😊 Despite being a dog lover (well all animals really), one of my recurring nightmares is tripping over those extendable dog leads which is what very nearly happened to me in Hastings when I was running a virtual Brighton Marathon 10k. It was on a a narrow path and I had to either jump into the main road or over the lead. Split second decision and I’ve hurdled the lead, and made it safely to the other side, 😀
It really is lovely running weather today despite the sea breeze we have. I’ll be heading down to the track later for a club training session and it looks like the rain will hold off during it too 👍 Last week I got completely drenched.
Good luck with getting back to the 10k. I haven’t done one since early September either but I’ve signed up for the HU 10k in November. 😃👍
Oh gosh yes, those invisible long leashes are terrifying!!!!
Another thing a bit like that for me are children on scooters. The thought of being hit in the Achilles by one of those sends me into a cold sweat - I give them a wide berth 😂😂😂
Hi IP, I had a great club run this evening! It’s very different running around a track mainly because you aren’t actually going anywhere 😂 It’s much more comfortable on the old body and joints though as the track has a bit of give in it. The sessions we do are mainly focused on improving speed endurance for all aerobic running. It’s tough but a great way of improving overall speed. I did some hill sprints earlier in the week and although they nearly killed me, I can already feel the benefit. At the end of the session today I did a trial 200m and managed 31 seconds which is pretty decent considering. Happy running 👍😬
I remember being a passenger in a car travelling down a country lane watching an owl gliding along next to the car on the other side of the hedge. An experience I’ll never forget!
Oh no poor you 😢 I hope the shoes cheer you up when they arrive. Do you have any areas in the house or garden to exercise in for now. It’s unlikely you’ll lose too much fitness in these last 3 weeks if you’ve been on plan I think. Isn’t there a period of tapering too? Hopefully the yoga will ease your mind and body and you’ll be just fine for the run having properly rested 👍
My hip has been annoying me since my tough HM so resting it should help Going to do some yoga, foam roll, stretches etc
I have got a garden to escape into. I could take my yoga mat into my husband’s man cave 😃. That would be funny as it’s a temple to dissipation. Mwaaaaaahhhhhaaaaa 👹
Hi Brian, great post! Your area seems so fascinating with its deep history and lore. We don’t have anything nearly as interesting here, but my morning runs are now fully dark and I have seen a number of coyotes in the last while. A few weeks ago I had to stop as one was eyeing me up near the run path. They’ve never bothered me but there are stories of them making off with small dogs if pet owners are not careful. Aside from that I had a really special encounter with a red-tail hawk a few months ago on a quiet Saturday morn. He let me get right in close for some pics and video. I have a pic here of him.
Wow, handsome hawk! I'm very wary of the buzzards here at nesting time after I got 'buzzed' by one when I was out on a walk years ago. Heavily pregnant at time, I knew I couldn't run away fast but did grab a big stick in case it came in for another go!!
You get to see some truly wonderful nature on your runs Decker. Mind you I’d be terrified if a coyote appeared in the vicinity of my run! That Hawk is quite splendid! Another of your lovely photos! 😊👍😃
Yes the coyotes get me a little concerned in the early hours . They are so fast when they get going. A friend of mine was confronted by one on a run last year.
That’s is beautiful Decker. I ran just outside Windsor Ontario about 4 weeks ago. I found a long green lane linking two highways. I did the tourist thing and checked out the local animal life in advance; I was assured that there would be no bears, moose or cayotes…..although I suspect they were wrong about the latter. There were a few Turkey Vultures about hoping for an easy meal if I faltered! Nothing scary though.
Yes Windsor is far too south for bears and moose, but I suspect there were some coyotes about. You really only see them around dawn or after dusk. I’ve not seen a Turkey Vulture is quite some time!
Oooh I remember going to a torch lit guy fawkes procession in Lewes when visiting my Nan years ago! Never had a spooky ghostly experience but did get a prank played on me on a spooky night time trail run a couple of winters ago when a friend hid behind a tree and jumped out on me on a narrow path!the 2 people behind me got a shock too when I stopped dead and shrieked!!🤣
Went to a race yesterday that got cancelled at last minute which was frustrating as we had travelled and stayed overnight to do it ! But we made the best of it and did our 10k anyway on a very blustery and random route round Southsea front!
The Lewes fireworks would be something to remember! I’m hoping to go along but parking is notoriously difficult and even the trains are not stopping there! They like to keep it to themselves I believe. 😬
Shame about that race being cancelled. Did they say why? Well done anyway on completing your 10km run in Southsea. 👍
Nothing spooky, but I did take part in a local running community group (just on Facebook) 3 day halloween team competition. 3 teams of about 13, challenged to get the most miles in and in fancy dress if liked!! (I didn't!) I found it really motivating as I had been struggling to get out and even though the weekend weather was wild, really enjoyed my runs! I opted for a 5k up our little mountain here, so sort of trail run and loved that, then did a 10k on the road as everywhere was starting to flood on Sunday and was treated to a wonderful double rainbow at the 10k mark!
Running with others is really uplifting even if it’s virtual. I have a couple of groups now that I really look forward to. There is a really chilled out run group called Run Talk Run here that is great fun. You basically just go at a steady conversational pace for 5k and chat along the way. So cool 😎 Well done on completing your recent runs too. That 10k definitely deserved a double rainbow 🌈👍👏👏👏
Thank you, yes it is good to be part of a group sometimes. There is not much choice here for actual running groups, not locally anyway. I like the sound of your chat group.... great idea!
🤔 not sure about "spooky" certainly had a few scary moments... I'm really bad for seeing things in the shapes in the woods that aren't there 🤣🤣
Was minding my own business and came up short with a big buck in my path with only one antler... stood stock still waiting to see what he was going to do whilst looking for the even bigger one that had his antler off.
Being charged by that highland cow last year was pretty scary.
Oh, weird stuff, sure, there's an abandoned Chapel on one of my usual routes, I've seen a thrash metal band filming a video there, sounded scary but up closer they looked like nice lads. Another guy doing martial arts poses in his white gear whilst his girlfriend took photos. Another guy dressed as Mike Meyers taking photos. Thankfully his Dad was with him so that took the scare away (and I don't know who Mike Meyers is 🤣)
I do have an overactive imagination so I see all sorts in the shadows! 🤣
What you missed in spooky you certainly made up for 😂 I remember that cow story. It was pretty terrifying just reading about it and I’ve read a few more since then. I had no idea they were so unpredictable and I’ll be avoiding them for sure from here on. I used to just wander across fields with cows in without a thought about how dangerous they might be. That chapel sounds like it must have a few stories to tell 😂
I see you’re cutting back on the distances in your runs recently Jo. I think I missed the reason why. I hope you’re enjoying the running just as much though.👍
I'm just trying to spread the load a little for now so that on weeks I have less free time it's not all swallowed up by running for the moment 👍🏻 I sometimes miss the long ones but they're all good in their own ways! 😁
Loving everyone's spooky stories! I don't have any to offer, the only thing haunting my runs are the demons & gremlins telling me I'll never make it & I look like an idiot and everyone else is fitter and faster than me. But I know how to handle those -smile and keep running!
Week 6 of my HM training, going ok so far. I give up every other day but keep showing up for 'one more run' 🤣
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Weekly Chat 1st to 7th August 2022: Dumb ways to run