I’ve been here so many times before but yet there’s something precious about running following a spell on the IC. Yes, the first few runs are usually a confusing combination of excitement and apprehension. “Yeah! I’m back!” quickly followed by “is that a niggle? Have I fully recovered?” You know what it’s like.
Fear and happiness are strange bedfellows but they both sit on my shoulders for a while at least.
I’ve been running short slow runs, no more than 6K, for several weeks now but I haven’t been able to totally relax, always thinking of overdoing it and being ultra sensitive to every twinge.
But then I head to my beloved arboretum where the ground is softer and kinder and the spectacular colours of autumn take my thoughts away from everything else. This is where I can totally relax and feel the way I want to on a run, not thinking of potential niggles or annoying aches but using all my senses to lap up the beauty of the woodland around me.
I’ve always said that running here feeds my soul. This time, it seems to have done wonders for my running body too. Half way through a run last week I realised that I hadn’t felt so good in months. Fear and apprehension had left my side and were replaced by pure delight and happiness again 🤗 I felt child-like and giggled, I ran through the leaves, mesmerised by all the various colours and then looked up to the sky to marvel at the tips of majestic trees wondering what they had seen over the years. I stood alone and just listened to the silence, lucky to capture the moment when there was no one else around. I ran on, revelling in the joy that I could run this easily again.
I see this show year after year and I never tire of it. I always take Oldfloss with me (sadly only virtually) and together we have a ball! We run a little, stop to admire the colours up close, have a chat to share our news and have a few laughs and then back to running again.
And on we go, side by side, content with nature’s gifts.
How wonderful if we could do this for real one day Floss 😍 But in the meantime I hope you like the photos.
The recent high winds mean that most of the trees have lost their leaves already. But I was lucky to have captured these beauties before that happened. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did 😍
And have I told you that it feels amazing to be back. Again. 🏃♀️🥳🎈🪅🎉
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Irishprincess
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What a lovely post and I just love the colours on the trees, beautiful ! You have inspired me to head to my local park soon, though I don't think the colours are as impressive as these ,but some of them are very large and ancient! I agree it would be great to meet up with Floss one day for a run.
I've just been reading some if the history of the park,some of the trees date from 1830!!! I have a favourite one who's branch swoop right down to thr ground,always have to go under that one! 😁
What a beautiful place to run, your happiness shines with every sentence, I loved reading that and the photos are beautiful, I'd take Floss with me too if I could, virtually is great though
A few years ago Irish-John was arranging to have a meet-up of as many of us as possible for a park run in Portrush. Sadly, the Pandemic hit and it never happened. But perhaps, one day we could try….
So pleased to read this and such lovely photos. Long may such joyful runs continue. I am interested that you have kept to 6km. I was going to ask you how you planned to increase your running. It is certainly so different building up our running after injury compared to without prior injury.
I’ve built up to 6K as I’ve increased very slowly. Last time I built up too quickly and then hurt my back again so I’m determined not to repeat this 🙄
Once I reached 5K I repeated that distance three times before moving to to 6K and so on. I’m due to run 7K this week and will probably do 1x6K and 2x7K. That keeps my weekly mileage in check.
All the time I’m listening carefully to my body to see how it’s reacting and so far all is good 🤗
You’re right, without injury I build up much more quickly.
Thank you for your reply. I've been running three times a week, two runs at 30 minutes or were abouts and gradually increasing the 'longer' one. Very easy pace, trying to keep my heart rate down. Beginning to think that the shape of my wrist is not suitable for my Garmin watch these days. At my husband's suggestion I wore the watch face on the underside of my wrist which did give more sensible data. Like you it feels very special indeed when my body is working as it should. My knee doesn't like tension eg straight leg on a firm surface, any weight lifting,- eg helping my husband lift a solid wood work top or staining on it too long eg cleaning at church for three hours but at the moment running seems fine. I continue with the physio exercises, three for hamstring and 7, I think, for my knee.
I’m seeing a specialist tomorrow morning so hopefully I’ll at least have an idea of what’s going on and get it sorted. In the meantime I’m starting a series of sessions with a personal trainer in the gym and my second session is this afternoon so I’m keeping on top of my strength training which is really important in the off season.
Beautiful IP. 😍 I’d love to run there one day, but whenever I go I’m accompanied by grandchildren and can be found chasing the larger of the two round the trees! 😅
I’m so happy for you. You’ve had the worst few months injury wise, but it looks like you’re back. Enjoy every moment. ❤️
wonderful photos, I love the colours of autumn. Glad your feeling more confident again. I actually managed a 7km this week which I haven't done for a couple of years. The marathon motivation is working 😀.
Oh, what a beautiful place to run IP - there is something very special about running through a woodland, surrounded by such old souls I always think! So glad that you have found your happy place again! 🙂🏃♀️🍂
Stunning beauty!!! Yes we are really blessed by nature and the healing quality of it all.. some of my best feelings are when I take the time to appreciate its wonder ✨
Magical ❤️
Im echoing your thoughts on recovery runs ATM... But ooh so glad to be able again 🙏
Lovely photos & great to hear about your running. I'm not connecting much with the forum these days but am doing C25K again following various health niggles. Glad I saw this though as it's inspired me to keep going & book myself into the Arboretum before all the colour goes! Hope your running continues to take you where you want to be and your IC issues are behind you. Take care 🙂
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