Can I post here? I just ran 13.1 kilometres! Skip this bit as it's a bit melodramatic if you want.
I've had a terrible couple of days, no running, some walking and some ceiling painting. Someone said to me grief is a bit like climbing a mountain, you feel you just can't keep going, and then you get to the top and go down the other side and think phew I got over that one, then there's another mountain in front of you. Some are taller than others. The one I've been struggling over is huge.
Yesterday I didn't want to see anyone so I shut myself in.
Today I wanted to run.
I played around in the Garmin app trying to find a route that was at least 10k and failing miserably, so I set up a NRC 10k run a playlist on Spotify and off I went. Still not sure where I was going I headed north, crossed the dual carriageway and onto the Downs, a different route than I've ever been before, fields, hills, cows, sheep, wood pigeons, a wren, a blackbird, some magpies and a finch. Green for miles around, hedges, fences, brambles, mist over the hills and no sight of the sea although I knew it was there somewhere.
I slogged on up and up. Passed a couple of walkers with cheery hello's.
I'd set the Garmin to 1 minute run 1 minute walk but I soon got fed up with that! I shouted at it sometimes when it buzzed, and carried on running, my goodness it's steep, its rutted, it's narrow, it's overgrown, I'm so slow. but at last it opens out and I come to a crossroads, with a signpost, this is exciting, it says, bridleway 🤣🤣🤣 pointing all 4 directions 🤣🤣🤣 but I think I might recognise one way which is ,yup you guessed it, uphill, so on I go.
A few cyclists pass both ways, a couple of people with dogs, everyone returns my greeting
There are storms crossing the channel, I start to hope I get home before they get here.
Then I'm at the top and it's down hill all the way to the sea front.
And 10k done ✅ but not home yet so on I run, my pace which was abysmally slow going over the Downs has picked up again, my legs feel fine, goodness me I can do this, I can keep running gently, I can take walk breaks.
Will I make 10 miles? Not today, that hill was brutal, and I want to go home.
For the last kilometre I can feel spots of rain on my bare arms, just a few, and there it is, tugging at the corner if my mouth 😁 I've found my smile.
Run happy everyone, my next goal is 10 miles and it won't be long but I know one thing for sure, it'll be on the flat roads, but I did enjoy being out in the countryside, and there's something very satisfying about slogging up the hills,
Written by
SueAppleRun
10 Miles
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A big congratulations to you Sola on that 13.19K run today, a very inspiring post from you, I do notice on the rain radar a lot of thunderstorms in the north of France, they look that they are heading north so as you say will cross the channel and hit the south of England later, at least you now have completed that wonderful run, well done 😀 🏃🏾 👍👍✅✅
Thanks Al, we've had drizzle on and off all afternoon and at last the garden looks damp, I so wanted to go another 3k but after those hills that I don't run on very much, I was near home so came home, maybe next time I go for a long run
Firstly, what an awesome run. One of those; what you needed, just at the right time. Some days you need a shut in, and that is ok too. Grief hits you out of nowhere. Of course anyone can post here at any time…but 13k en route to 10 miles? Welcome to the world of crazy runners of prodigious distances….fully paid up member Sola!!🙂
Thank you 😊 I'm hoping all the consistent running will help my pace a bit, I was saying good morning to people I passed but it was gone 2om when I got home, I went out later than I realised
I did one of the speed runs on the NRCHM app each week to start with. More a question of finding different paces ( so everything wasn’t at easy pace) rather than trying to run really quickly. The pace picks up a little week on week. The long slower runs helps your pace too though; strength and stamina. You are doing really well. Just enjoy it.
When I run up those hills and the next run I'm on the flat I seem to be flying along, I love the speed runs and my gentle comfortable pace is definitely faster than back in spring, just going out a few times every week helps
Thanks Jools, yes, the mountains are more spaced apart, it used to only be minutes between them, and some aren't so huge, that run was needed and I think yesterday's shutting away from the world was needed too
What a great run Sola! It’s so uplifting to see beautiful countryside and nature’s creatures just doing their thing isn’t it. 😊 Some times that’s just what we need 😊.
what a wonderful brave run for you today Sola. You are amazing. Willow would be so so proud and I’m sure he was with you every step of the way. Really well done. 👏👏👏
You and me both SueAppleRun . My excuse is that I run hills, but that's pathetic and insignificant compared to your taking on challenging, unfamiliar terrain while battling grief mountains. You're a superwoman!
Those hills, but I found some okness going up them and my smile as I came back down them, it was the narrowness if the pathways that really slowed me down, I really didn't want to fall up there and with loose chalk stones the ground felt very unstable at times.
Oh wow! That run came just when you needed it most, and what a run it was too. You are so inspiring and yes grief is a funny thing, and it hits you from nowhere sometimes. I dedicated my run today to my dear Dad and absolutely loved reading this, even though it made me quite teary.
Grief is a funny thing! Hard to comprehend and very unexpected!
It’s so lovely you have a good support network of friends family and your neighbours around you!
Sometimes you really can’t face it or the world outside!
This run on your own out in nature seeing the world without having to explain yourself to anyone and just saying Hi to the odd person along the way without a deep and meaningful conversation seems to be what you needed!
Well done on an awesome run 🏃♀️ and well done for getting yourself out the front door!
What a lovely post, and you saw lots of great views and wildlife ,perfect. I love trails the best! This is a brilliant achievement and so glad you found your smile, very well done, keep on going ! Carrying someone special with you who would be so pleased and I'm sure was watching over you 😘🏃♀️💪xxx
Too damn right you can SueAppleRun ! You ran further than 10K, in fact further than you've ever run before, in particularly challenging circumstances, and found your smile.
If that doesn't merit a post on here, then I don't know what does.
Wow! What a great post and a great run! It sounds such a beautiful place where you run, especially to a towny like me. I’m glad you found your smile. I hope it sticks around a while 😊
I have so much respect for you Sola. I simply don’t know how you muster the grit and strength. But holy cow you do, and you know that Willow is looking down with so much pride. Grief is tough, but you’re tougher.
Of course you can run 10 miles and HM. It’s just a matter of time. I can’t wait to see those achievements, first on Strava, then your triumphant posts on here. We all know you’ll do it, and Willow will be there to guide you. ❤️
At least now he's not sitting waiting wondering how long I'll be out. It was a sad day when he decided to stop running, but he did keep saying once the weather warmed up he'd come with me again,
The most important words in your great report were "I've found my smile". It makes all of that slogging up the hills worth it. I too am always full of ideas of setting alarms on my Garmin and find them very annoying when they go off 😂.
Thanks Linda, I so want that badge but it might be sensible to wait a week or two, I plan a long run this weekend, along the seafront where it's not so steep
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Keep pom-pomming & keep smiling!!! ❤️