Hop /Run Little Bunnies

This week has been a good week for running. The weather has been kind, I've been motivated and, there's been a slight hint of excitement (for me) in the air. I've never really been excited for Easter, but, with a few themed runs this week, it has certainly got me a little bit giddy...

Firstly, the second week of half term has helped me to start to get organised in my own life a little bit.. and, my running gear was looking a little bit chaotic all shoved in one box and I'd rifle through to find specifics each run... cue... 

You know when you're a runner when..

Organisation central! I've finally got a box for my sock and snoods (I found a huge love for snoods during this season's winter running, something I never really appreciated) and one box for my 'winter gear' - I'm talking hats, and lights. I felt very smug with this, something I never thought I would have in my life and now, I can't believe how far this hobby has gone! 

I'd love to have some of these on display..

It's just finding the space! 

I even took it a step further and finally organised my medals too.. which have just found themselves thrown in my bedside table. 

Secondly, there has been an undercurrent of this week. Easter Egg hunting. For some of you who read this blog, you will understand what Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday had in store for me. Did I get the egg in question...? I certainly did. It has caused much humour between my friends.. and a lot of eye rolling from family who ended up getting demanding texts to go out to try and get me this egg. 😁

Wednesday night Lion's run 🦁

A little bit of a change this week. I knew the Wednesday night run would be full of the usual antics and chaos, and, I was not left disappointed. It was their Easter run and I wanted in on the action. I was (finally) getting my roots done and, one thing I never thought I would have to ask at the salon; 
"erm, what time will we be finished.. because.. erm.. I want to go to run club."

So, rather than treating myself to my usual blow dry and curls, which make me feel glamorous for the one evening they are in, I left the salon with half dried hair and my hair thrown up in a ponytail to get home, get changed and get myself over to Whins Lane. 

Yes, I genuinely ran around Whittle with 

Easter eggs fastened to my running belt.

Now, even though I am a Lion (whoo! - I am finally affiliated with them) I have actually never been to a Wednesday night run.. But, for once, I didn't mind turning up somewhere completely new because I knew there would be familiar faces, and that I would be welcomed with open arms. I was absolutely not let down when I turned up and saw the wonderful Julie, who had come down for her first 'official' Lions run. It was lovely to see her again, and, sporting her Manchester Marathon tee. (I don't blame her one bit - I'd be wearing it everywhere!) 

There were lots of other lovely faces which I recognised from Sunday Long runs, and Parkrun too, it's so nice to turn up somewhere new, yet it feels so familiar. 
The evening started with a warm up, as all Lions sessions do, but, as you can see. This was a slightly different warm up. Grown adults in a lay by on a semi busy road competing in an egg and spoon race. Such fun! 
We then split off into different groups for our run, covering various different distances respectively. Julie tried to tempt me into the longer distance group with Stu, but, I seem to be having issues with my feet at the moment (I won't go into too much detail - I hate feet.) And knowing what else I had planned for this week, I didn't want to end up injured. 

As we set off down Whins Lane to start off the run, there were little eggs attached to the trees. It was such a lovely gesture. I only got two, to make sure that there was enough for everyone. I fastened them to my little orange bum bag and had a really enjoyable 5k run. We ran to Top Lock, somewhere I've been itching to explore. So, I can't wait to come back for more runs over this way. There's something so much more enjoyable when you're exploring off the beaten track - I just don't have the confidence to go completely rogue on my own. But equally, I love the feel of running with a group. 

Chorley Runners 7k run

I had equally been excited for this one too. As the nights get lighter, I knew that Chorley Runners would begin to explore further afield as they love a good trail run. This week was the first one I was able to attend and I was not left disappointed. It seemed a smaller group that usual, I don't know why that was, but the run was thoroughly enjoyable. 

Running through Duxbury Woods and finding horses fields. 

The weather was kind to us, and it wasn't very muddy out at all. We went through Yarrow Valley, across some fields into Coppull, found the horses and ended up in Duxbury Woods. I now fully appreciate how much more challenging trail running is, it's a miracle I didn't break my ankle running through the fields with uneven grass, but again, that sense of freedom, and appreciating the views around you. So much more enjoyable than pounding the pavements. This is why I'm a huge advocate for group runs. They take you to places you wouldn't (or I, certainly wouldn't) have the confidence to find myself. I came home (with very sore feet - I was not prepared this evening, but I still managed to get around) very satisfied, and, dare I say happy. I think this has been a huge theme of this week. I have been a lot happier, than I have been recently. It's only sitting down, writing these blogs that I start to reflect on my weekly moods. 

Parkrun Saturday 

I was really looking forward to this week's run. I have no idea why. I knew that the Lion's would be there, but when I turned up this week.. I don't know. There was something just different. Preston hadn't advertised this as an Easter run, but it was Easter Saturday, and, as I left on Wednesday Shelby had said "Don't forget your bunny ears."
They were in hand, but there was no way I was walking to the park with them on. No way. I got to the park and the giddiness took over, I nipped to the loo. (I'd had too much water - I'd treated myself to a pint, not a half this morning) and then went to find Shelby & Co.

Pre-Run photo

I was slightly on the later side this morning, but managed to get there in time for a pre-run group photo. As soon as I saw the Lion's I had the confidence to don the bunny ears. It was so good to see everyone (as always) I was going to wear shorts this morning, but, when I woke up it seemed a little overcast. 

Once we started running, this was one decision I hugely regretted.

This week, Sophie had brought her little companion Bailey with her, we both had very busy Saturdays planned so we needed to get round and leave as soon as possible, so unfortunately for me, no socialising at the end! I planned to run 1 lap with Sophie and Bailey & then run the other 2 laps.. best laid plans and all...

I lost Sophie getting to the start line, but bumped into Kally (A founding member of Preston Beer Girls) which was a lovely surprise! And, finally, Jess was back from fighting Covid! I luckily, bumped into Jess as I was going against the tide to find Sophie at the start line. The klaxon went, and chaos ensued.. My bunny ears kept falling off, it seemed busier than usual (though attendance numbers said otherwise - 325 this week) So, running the first lap with Sophie failed. I managed to stay with her for most of the lap, which was lucky, because she had her coat on, which again was a huge mistake with the temp, so I took over the reins of Bailey while she took her coat off. I then managed to set a pace which was do-able considering the humidity that began to set in. 
Luckily, as I got to the beginning of the second lap I saw a friend in the line up of volunteers, George. I threw my bunny ears at him while I set off for the rest of the run. I then caught up with Kally, and we managed to pace each other round. Jess was keeping a good pace too! I really was regretting those shorts.

All things considered, it was a good run, and a fair time I would say, 33.03 this week. 

Getting up that hill was grim. 

& The Easter Bunny.

Lesson learnt. If the weather says it is going to be warm. Wear shorts. 

17k of running this week. No Sunday run as, well, its Easter Sunday! Happy with this weeks mileage, and, thoroughly enjoyed the company of all the runs this week.

Monday I plan on attending a sociable 10k trail run which is being run by Chorley Runners, so I look forward to this, and, back to work so unfortunately the mid week runs may begin to subside again, but with 3 weeks until Chorley 10k, I better start getting training the hills..