I ran a real trail run!

[Kalessin]

Yesterday I set off for an 8k lap around Minsmere on the Suffolk coast. I knew it would be damp underfoot, I had brought a complete change of clothing and I was wearing my trail shoes. Not far in I tripped and banged my knee, then paddled safely through three stretches of calf-deep water. On the fourth one I stepped off what must have been an underwater bank and went in up to my chest.

Fortunately the water was pretty clean, the sun was shining some of the time with some warmth in it and the wind was light. Even better my phone and (as I subsequently discovered) my car key still worked.

I plugged on around a route which included dunes, shingle, steep hills and a couple more floods. And I loved it!

Garmin was not impressed as it was supposed to be target speed training for an HM, but 😜

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Gosh - this sounds less like a trail run and more like a wild swim! I hope you are okay now and have dried off ? Very wise taking a spare set of clothes. 👍🙂

[Kalessin Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

I was fine, in fact exhilarated. That's why I posted, having not been here for ages, because I was so grateful to be able to do it and it might inspire others. And maybe it will finally persuade me to try cold-water swimming? I had a lovely pub lunch with my son and his family afterwards to celebrate his birthday.

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

Oh my word, that sounds fun, but wasn't the water cold? I'm moving that way later in the year and can't wait to run by sandy beaches and dunes

[Kalessin Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

I think my bamboo leggings acted like a wetsuit! Either that, or the water wasn’t all that cold… or I’m much tougher than I think

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to Kalessin]

Must have been one of them

[RiceAndPeas]

Now that sounds like a proper adventure!

[Folkylass]

That sounds exhilarating and a bit scary at the same time. Hope you warmed up quickly. Well done you 👍👏👏

[Oldfloss Administrator]

This sounds a tad scary but exciting too... Gosh... a swim and a run! Glad you were all prepared for what happened!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Oh my oh my! An obstacle course!!! Real? I'd call it hardcore at the very least!!!

You are amazing to continue after all that. Strength and determination in spades. Congratulations.

[misswobble Marathon]

That sounds marvellous, apart from the chest high cold plunge that is 😁

Trail running is fab. It has so much going for it and helps with strength training while we’re out there. Far from traffic fumes and in nature. Ah lovely 🥰

Plenty of trail races about to choose from 😀💪👍

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Just reading this made me think of that episode from The Vicar of Dibley where she walks into a puddle and it comes up to her armpits 😱😂

I can imagine that could be quite dangerous if your foot had got stuck. So I’m delighted to read that you recovered very well!

Well done, a proper trail run that 💪

[Kalessin Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

😂 I must go back and watch it again! Fortunately there were some other walkers literally a few metres away who offered to help – I didn't need help but was very grateful for their presence