The Calm before the Storm..

So this week has been a very interesting one to say the least. It appears we cannot go a year without a storm, but how are you supposed to fit in running when there are three storms predicted in one weekend.. Well, lets find out shall we...

Thursday

I am not the best at checking the weather. If it looks nice outside, it's nice outside. My brother had got a new addition to the family (a dog) and so I just HAD to go and meet the little man. 

8 Week old Puppy 💕

My aim is to train him up as a running buddy around Parkrun.. but we will hold off on that for now, seeing as little bear doesn't even like going out in the back garden! 

The weather was lovely, I had my jeans and trainers on as I was going to meet my good old friend Sophie for a 10k dog walk with Bailey after all of the puppy snugs.

Sophie and I were going to do the reverse route that I did the other week around Cuerden and Buckshaw, but at a much slower pace as we had little Bailey dog with us. The weather was wonderful, Cuerden looked as charming as ever. We all were having a lovely time, until rain. The rain came when we were about 1/3rd of the way around. I was not dressed for the rain, and it was bitter. This was only the start of the trio of storms heading our way.

Enter, Storm Dudley - 1 
We were passing through Buckshaw, I couldn't feel my thighs, and my Jack Wolfskin was now really testing its own limits. "I wouldn't blame you if you went home from here." I was quite literally 5 minutes away from home, and my car was at Sophies. "Yeah.. I might do." Then I gave my head an absolute wobble. You've come this far. You've been out in worse conditions, suck it up and get back to Sophies. 

I completed the walk. Got back to Sophies, lept into my car and was desperate to get home, peeled my jeans from being stuck to my body and I refused to move for 2 hours while I tried to warm up, hot water bottle in tow. Now, Thursday evenings is the Chorley Runners 7k run. I was booked on. Is this really a good idea? As I finally checked the weather. Also running through my head was; there's no such thing as bad weather (more on that later) only bad clothing, and since becoming a running addict I feel that I have enough kit for every type of weather. 

CR put out a warning due to the wind speeds that the run may be cancelled, and that they would update us at 5pm. I was snuggly under my blanket enjoying a Netflix binge and "resting my eyes" until the notification came through that we were clear to run.  Surprisingly enough, we had a good run. Lack of wind and no rain (!!!) 

The route was planned away from trees however, to be on the safe side. I was so glad I went out, I did read the other week (as I always do..) Nobody ever comes back to say that they've had a bad run. 

Greetings: Storm Eunice - 2

On Friday the storm warnings for the North West of England were becoming worse and worse and this left my favourite Saturday activity up in the air. Now, I do not mind running in rain, strangely I find it enjoyable - but there does become a point when we are transitioning from winter to spring that you start saying enough's enough and being wet from a run becomes just pure hell. I did not go out for a run on Friday, it is not my usual running day, but the wind was really picking up and when I came back from Fridays general activities we were greeted with 2 missing fence panels. This really was not boding well for Parkrun..

We came home to 2 missing fence panels.

I had persuaded one of my long run - running friends (Jess)  to come and try Parkrun, but, Parkrun had also put out a warning that they would do a course inspection Saturday morning in case the park had been impacted by Storm Eunice. This left me in running purgatory.

If its raining, just admit it, turn over and stay in bed. If its cancelled, its out of your control.. 

I woke up, it wasn't raining and we got the green light at 8.05am. Preston Parkrun was a go! I think I secretly wanted a lie in, but, I got up, knowing how much better I would feel after the run.
(& I got to introduce another person to the best way to start their Saturday mornings!)

Jess & I 

I think a lot of people had decided to stay away this weekend, as there were merely 296 runners this week. I thought I had dressed appropriately, however, as I got to the top of the first hill, I was actually warm. So I stripped and continued. I got Jess around the course and she enjoyed it! Even though there was one slight mishap...

I honesty thought I was having an "easy run." We got to the top of the hill for the third and final time, and a gentleman shouted to us "right girls, if I beat you, you've got to do another lap." Well, I was like a bull to a red rag. No way was this happening. I sped up, I checked where the man and his friend was. I had enough space between us to slow down and run comfortably.. Then, we got to the end stretch by the river. I turned around to see where our new friend was.. I was comfortable, but he was coming. I had given my Mad Dog T-shirt its first outing this weekend, and a much faster runner and fellow Mad-dogger had spotted me and so cheered me on to the end, this helped as I sped up again, my mornings now arch enemy sped up. His friend joined in:
"Come on, I know you've got more in the tank." 
"I can't I'm done!" 

The gentleman was on my tail, and it was the last 100m. I was sprinting like I haven't for a long time. I felt sick, I'd done this run fasted today. He got me. I swore (sorry!) But, like the gent he was, he put the brakes on at the line and let me finish first.
And this is why I love Parkrun, this man was a complete stranger, but with a bit of friendly competition, he had made my morning. Yes, I admit, I left Jess for dust and I did apologise profusely, but unfortunately, I've always had this slight competitive side in me.  The marshalls in the funnel also joined in on the camaraderie, I do admit, I'm sure this sight must have been quite amusing to watch. 

A very full looking River Ribble in Avenham Park - 

it started raining just as I was getting my barcode scanned.

I then was tempted by a Sunday long run with the Lions. I had missed 3 weeks of long runs and they were up to 20 miles. I know I would be unable to do this distance, but I thought maybe I could meet them if they were running over to the Chorley area. They were! - Great! 
I woke up on Sunday morning to the delightful sound of rain on the bedroom window. N O P E. 

I had just had enough of the storms this weekend. Storm Franklin decided to greet us Sunday morning and I was just tired of feeling cold, and wet. 

Storms: 1 - Sammie: 2

 
I think I would take that score for a running weekend to be honest. I am hoping that slowly, the weather will get better and I will be able to commit to longer runs. They really do fill me with dread, but as I've missed 3 weeks now, I've realised I really do miss them. You learn a lot about yourself as you begin to up your mileage, and I hope that I will become comfortable with longer distances in the not so distant future. I've also begun listening to "Runpod" while I am pottering in the kitchen. I don't know if this is sensible for me or not, as it does urge me to go out for a run. I can't wait to eventually get out and use Runpod for company.

It's back to work on Monday, which will be interesting to see how running fits into my routine. But I know one things for certain.. Its here to stay... for the moment. 

I am nearly half way from my fundraising target of £400.
I am running the Great North Run for Macmillan Cancer on the 11th September 2022.
This is the furthest distance I will have ever run and I aim to complete in under 2hrs 30. Any donations are greatly appreciated via Just Giving .
Thank you!