A good run is food for the soul!😁🏃‍♀️

[Sandraj39]

My running has taken a bit of a nosedive recently😕 - tired from work and struggling to get out reliably in the cold and dark.🥶❄️Then in the New Year, I injured my back taking the lights down outside my house! 🤷‍♀️😩 But last weekend, I headed out for a test run and am pleased to say no ill-effects.👍

Todays run was another “let’s just see how we go” run! Again, I wanted to be a little mindful of my back and hoped for 6/7k. A beautiful sunny, frosty cold morning but not a breath of wind out on the local trails. The muddy paths needed a little care in places as the ground was pretty frozen but gosh, it was so beautiful out there and it just felt good to be alive!😁

I took my time and picked my way around my familiar paths, weaving through woods and farmland and around the edge of fields. Up the farm road back towards home and still feeling good, I added on a little extra around the local residential roads, finishing on 8k and that familiar buzz that only runners know!

My back feels great and I can now look forward to the London Winter run in a couple of weeks, which I hope to do with my husband and eldest son! 🤞

I thought the quote above was fitting - I always find what I need on the trails!❤️

Happy running this week everyone!🙂

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Lovely run and post Sandra. I did a trail 8k yesterday with a similar outcome. There was some ice to be avoided, but the bright sunlight, absence of other people and the backdrop of forest and hills proved really relaxing. The first 1k was tough, but everything clicked into gear from that point onwards. Those runs which tease out of us more than we thought we had on the day are really special. So here you are; restored for the year ahead. Perfect 🙂

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Yes - that is exactly it!🙂

[mrrun Ultramarathon]

Yeah, the main gear (clothes, shoes, accessories) make the difference, the muscles/tendons/ligaments also play a major part, than there’s motivation/circumstances and a host of other bits as well. But, as you quote, it’s your soul that picks that special lasting moment.

I ran along the Thames this evening, as cold as it gets, as stupidly dressed up in my basketball gear as always, and my fingers hurt to the point that l thought, oh come on….. And then l started to feel good, and then even better. The lights, the smell, the stillness of a freezing Battersea park made my soul full of positive wellness.

Glad you’re back to running , Sandra! 👍

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to mrrun]

Thanks @mrrun - we sometimes forget how lucky we are to run!🙂

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Lovely post and sounds like a lovely run too Sandra. I also had a good long run today and yesterday after many indoor runs on the treadmill. Nothing can replace fresh outdoor air. Hope your back continues to mend and you get many more runs like this one!

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

Thanks Decker - my back is so much better. Glad you enjoyed your run too.🙂

[RunWillie Marathon]

Great you’re back out there Sandraj39

What a gift running is😍

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Indeed!🏃‍♀️🏃🏽🙂

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

How lovely to read your run report Sandraj39 . I am glad to hear that you are mending and able to go for a run this weekend.

I think this winter has got to more people on this forum than ever. The strong winds, the torrential rain and for many, snow and ice. Not to mention all the Covid, flu and colds going around. But that has made the times we have managed to get out for a run all the more special .

Good luck in the Winter Run. We almost signed up for it this year, but changed our minds for all the weather reasons and not knowing whether the trains would be running. I’m hoping vitality 10000 will follow but I think the Coronation the following weekend may have put paid to that.

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy- yes, I think a lot of us have struggled a bit this winter. I normally enjoy my winter running but have struggled with my mojo a little this year! Here’s to greater runs ahead!🙂

[David_G Metric Marathon]

That sounds like just what you needed Sandraj39 🏃‍♀️👍 I haven't braved the trails yet this year, but I'm hoping to give it a go when the weather warms up a bit. I might run into you (hopefully not literally!) at the London Winter Run!

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to David_G]

oh, the trails were wonderful David - slow(,) but wonderful! Good luck to you with the Winter run too!🙂

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Ooh I loved reading that! That sounds such a gorgeous run Sandra 😍 and I’m so pleased that your back is OK again. Happy days indeed.

Do you want me to add your name to the February Events spreadsheet for the Winter Run? There are already a few others there 🙂

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks IP - and yes, do add my name to the list!🙂🏃‍♀️

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

All done 🙂

[misswobble Marathon]

great stuff Sandra! 😀🏃‍♀️

Great to read about other folks’ runs. We run through other peeps when we’re laid up, so ta 🙏😘

Good to be out on the trails without worrying about dodging traffic 🙂

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Here’s hoping you are back out there soon  misswobble 🤞🙂

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

What an uplifting run! A perfect 'find' and a great confidence run for London too 🥰

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

That's great Sandra, good to hear you're on the up,trail runs are my favourite! 😁🏃‍♀️💪xxx

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Thanks aliboo70 , yep, they’re still the best aren’t they?🙂

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

I did a road run last night and it's made my legs really ache this morning!!! 😪xxx