The glory of autumn and the complete joy of running after injury 🍁🍂 🏃‍♀️🤗

[Irishprincess]

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. 🏃‍♀️🥳🎈🪅🎉

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon]

Hello IP. These are amazing photos. So glad you are back at it and enjoying it so much. The relief is amazing, isn’t?

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Stephen_UK]

You’ve been there Stephen! It’s always a bit of a roller-coaster that’s for sure.

Hope your running is going well. And glad you like the photos 🙂

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Yes, all good thank you. Have been quite busy, hence lack of posts. Keep enjoying the runs!

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

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.

Glad everything is working out well for you 😘 xxx

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Enjoy the park Ali and all the ancient trees. Imagine if they could talk!! xxx

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

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! 😁

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Sounds fabulous! Xxx

[dijep 10 Miles]

Such a beautiful place to be able too just "be" Your photos capture the wonder of Autumn perfectly, how lucky to be able to run there.

I do hope that this run leads to your next one being without the overthinking and worry of possible twinges.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to dijep]

I know, I’m very lucky to have this close by.

I’ve had a few glorious runs now so fingers crossed the tricky corner is passed 🤞😍

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

beautiful colours in your amazing photos and great sentiments. Onwards and upwards IP!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

Hear! Hear! 🥳

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

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

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

You can tell! 🤗

I take everyone here on my runs sometimes. It gets a bit noisy with all the chatter but it’s wonderful 🥰

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to Irishprincess]

Me too, I think of everyone's runs and imagine us all there with me bringing up the rear

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

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….

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to Irishprincess]

That would be great fun I'd definitely love to join in

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon]

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.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

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.

How are you getting on?

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

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.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

You’ve worked out what your knee likes and doesn’t like so that’s great. And running is ok!!! That’s a big plus.

Here’s to a careful but steady return to full fitness for both of us 🤞💪

[Oldfloss Administrator]

Oh my !

So, so good to know that you are back out again, and in one of the most favourite of running places.

What a time we had.... what glorious colours.... what sounds, what smells, and what absolute beauty.

You looked well, you felt well and pure joy shone out of you.

You have no idea, how much I needed this run...or maybe, you do?

Thank you, once more, for taking me on what has to be, the most special of runs.

One day, Maj, one day ...

Floss x

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

You’re always there, right beside me 🥰 xxx

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon]

What a lovely come back run IP. The colours in the photos are stunning and capture the essence of autumn so well. So happy for you. ☺️😀

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to RunBrianRun]

Thanks Brian. I feel as if I’ve at last turned a corner.

How are you doing? Hope the heel is behaving….

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

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.

So glad you’ve turned a corner. 👍

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to RunBrianRun]

Let us know what the specialist says. Hopefully you’ll get a proper diagnosis and then a recovery plan.

A PT!! Sounds fabulous albeit a tiny bit scary 🙀💪

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Will do 👍 I’m just back from the gym now and I’m pretty sure I’ll be aching tomorrow 😅

No way I’ll be doing my Pilates session tomorrow 😂

[misswobble Marathon]

lovely place to run IP. Gorgeous trees 😍 where would we be without them 🙂

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

I do talk to them sometimes….. they are so beautiful that I have to tell them 😊

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

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. ❤️

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

It’s such a glorious place to run Munks but it sounds as if you’d be getting your run done anyway chasing after the little ones! 🏃‍♀️

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Never a dull moment IP! 😂

[MissUnderstanding Half Marathon]

Those photos 😍 What a stunning set.

Sounds like a super run and great that you’re getting back ore again. ❤️

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to MissUnderstanding]

I’ve taken so many photos it was hard to choose!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

A wonderful, uplifting post IP. I could truly feel everything you wrote. Gorgeous photos, gorgeous colours. So pleased for you 🥰

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

I know you’ve been there too! It’s such a great feeling when you know you’ve turned a corner🤗

[Realfoodieclub Marathon]

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 😀.

Happy running. Rfc x

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Have you started a plan yet?

I do like a 7K, it’s a very satisfying distance 🙂

[Realfoodieclub Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

I started but then had a slower weeks this week after a 10km start as I had both my Covid and flu jab, I thought best to take it steady. Rfc x

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Yes, very sensible!

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

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! 🙂🏃‍♀️🍂

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandra. We both love running at this time of year 🏃‍♀️🍁🤗

[sparky66 Half Marathon]

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 🙏

Thanks for sharing 🎈

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to sparky66]

Recovery runs all the way Sparky 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Birdlady64]

Just stunning! How wonderful it must be to run there.And such a joyful uplifting post Irishprincess definitely food for the soul.

Am really happy for you🤗

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Birdlady64]

Thank you 🙂 It is a very special place.

[JonathanP 10 Miles]

What a fantastic display IP! So glad your recovery is going well

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to JonathanP]

Thanks Jonathan. Glad you liked the fireworks 🍁🍂

[Slinkymalinki]

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 🙂

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Slinkymalinki]

Hey Slinky! Great to see you again 🙂

Sorry to hear you’ve had some health niggles but I’m sure the arboretum will help enormously with your recovery 😍

From today, you don't have to book anymore. They have the booking system only on bank holidays and very busy periods like spring and autumn.

Maybe we’ll get that coffee there some time soon.

Enjoy x

[Dendev75 Half Marathon]

love this post, it’s so joyful and appreciative of health and nature 🥰🍂🍁🍃

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dendev75]

Thank you! I do love being in the middle of it all 🍁🍂

[SkiMonday Ultramarathon]

Hi IP

The combination of autumn and Arboretum is magical isn’t it!

Great to learn that you’re on the mend.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to SkiMonday]

It is SM! The best time to recover from injury methinks 😂

[Frenc Half Marathon]

What a lovely post. And beautiful photos. 😊

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Frenc]

Thanks Frenc, glad you liked it 😍

[Katnap Marathon]

Beautiful post IP 🏃‍♂️❤️

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Katnap]

Thanks Katnap, one of my favourite times of year 🥰

[Mummycav]

oooo, lovely photos IP…my favourite time of year for running…glad you’re up and running again x

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Mummycav]

Me too! Running through all those crunchy leaves is wonderful 🍁🏃‍♀️🤗

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Just stunning photos IP. I am a little envious as we are -17 this morn 🥶 Such a great feeling to ease into a healing run like this after the IC.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

Thanks Decker. I know you like your autumn photos too 😍

-17!!! And I was cold when we were 1 degrees yesterday! 😂