Week 4 take 2: a treadmill injury and we’ve ordered the campervan!

[Pm3eak]

So that’s week 4 done…5 years after I did it originally. I have to say, it felt a lot easier this time, possibly because my brush with Mr. G. Reaper has taught me to relax more and just wonder about stuff when something is hurting (I’m sure anyone seeing me bumbling along with two big black dogs, hat rammed down over my eyes to stop the strong wind blowing it off, would have wondered why the authorities had let me out). Today’s wondering included what the Buzzards flying above me think about being mobbed by crows all their lives, trying to recall the lyrics and fingerpicking patterns to ‘Jolene’ and how would I bring Happy Valley to a conclusion if I was the writer. The latter occupied my brain so completely that I overran the last bit by several minutes. It’s been quite hard slowing down as much as I have had to to keep my heartbeat within the range I’ve set, but it has led to some very relaxing sessions. I find I recover within a very short time, much faster than I used to, so my old ticker must be in reasonable nick. All in all, good fun and I’m looking forward to the step up next week.

I’ve injured myself on my wife’s new treadmill…my shoulder. ‘ How on earth?’ I hear you ask. Well, it wasn’t running on it but trying to manhandle the beast into position in its allocated room: the treadmill is absolutely huge…the room not so much. It was just a tad tricky, a bit like trying to push an elephant into a letter box. But, it’s up now and the breadwinner -in -chief can fill her (very small) boots.

We’ve also had some sort of shared mental breakdown: we have ordered a campervan. It’s been a pipe dream for many years but we could never afford it…we still can’t…but when I was ill I promised that if I got through it and ever got my licence back we would take the dogs and revisit our scattered friends, places we hold dear and new places we want to experience while we can. So, after months of looking at ‘affordable’ ( haha!) second-hand specimens we have actually swapped our life savings for a new long- wheelbase VW, kitted out for the dogs and all- weather touring. It will be a while before it gets to us however. Looking at our track record of buying decisions I expect the price of camper vans to crash anytime now.

[Mothmoss Graduate]

Great post - made me smile a lot. Keep running - keep posting 😁👍

[SaskAlliecat Graduate]

Congrats on the new purchase! It sounds perfect! We just bought a new truck bed camper and an appropriate sized truck that can handle it so I totally get why you guys did it. Our purchase is a few years ahead of schedule but now it will be in place when we can finally retire. I can’t wait! I’m sure you, your wife and the pooches will love exploring in your new rig!

[Pm3eak Graduate in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Thanks…kindred spirits! We cant wait and already planning our trips, the big one being a return to Norway, which we love.

[Yesletsgo Graduate]

Congratulations on the van, hope you have lots of adventures with it😁 plenty of room for your running kit in there!

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate]

Lively post, fancy the idea of a van but it would be me doing all the driving which would be a downer 🥴

[Rungranny Graduate]

Camper van plans sound so exciting. Imagine all the amazing run routes you will get to explore. Definitely the best decision you'll ever make.

[Bluemerlegirl Graduate]

I love your post. Its funny all of the things we think about when we run! Congrats on your camper van! I hope it brings you many new running adventures! Good luck fitting that treadmill into it though!😂

[Pm3eak Graduate in reply to Bluemerlegirl]

Thank you. Your user name triggered a very happy memory for me: we were sheep farmers for many years and worked and trained sheepdogs. One of the most memorable was a big, blue merle called Dan. He had a wall eye and was the most cunning dog I’ve ever owned. His main aims in life were to avoid work, chase cats and seek out every in-season female in the County. He would escape from anywhere and then slink home, days later. He invariably arrived at the back door wet, bedraggled and with his eyes tightly shut: I think he believed that if couldn’t see me I wouldn’t notice him. But I loved him greatly and still miss him…as I do every dog I’ve owned.

[Bluemerlegirl Graduate in reply to Pm3eak]

Dogs are the best! Scout (my mini blue merle aussie) is my second herding dog - that doesn't herd 😂. My first was a border collie, and even though he enjoyed the company of cows and sheep, he had no interest in herding them (I think he thought he was one of them). For him, "ball" was life. He would fetch a tennis ball til the cows came home. Shortly after I lost him, and thought I could never love another dog as much as I loved him, a friend of mine gifted me a 7 week old mini aussie pup. I have loved her more than life itself since the moment I saw her. She is 6 now, and not only does she not herd, she is terrified of livestock. She is my little shadow and goes everywhere with me. For her, "belly rubs" are life, and she will constantly lay on her back and wait for a good belly rub. My herding dogs may not be good at their titles, but they have known how to love unconditionally, and that is how I have loved them.