An introduction to trail running & other things!
This week I seemed to be in the hangover from celebrating my 50th Parkrun. No I didn't drink, it was just the comedown from the wonderful time I had last Saturday.
For some reason I had a complete mental block last week, and for love nor money could I remember my Paypal password... so it took me a while to order my milestone T shirt, but do not worry dear readers, it was here in time for Saturday! (naturally!)
Wednesday Lions run 🦁
This week, we appeared to have been hit with our 'heatwave'. Perfect running I hear you say... perhaps not so much. Either way there was no way I was missing Wednesday and what a glorious evening it was. We did the Netflix run again, which is always lovely to do, and, as you reach Brinscall Woods it is wonderfully shaded. I really enjoyed this week's run. I was on my own as Jess was in the office for work but this is what I love about Wednesdays. You go out as a group and you have no idea who you're going to talk to, but you're never alone and everyone is always willing to strike up a conversation.
I had a few people trying to tempt me to go with the longer run group, but honestly; running any further than 7/8k on a week night is absolutely not for me. A nice short run during the week (I can't believe I'm calling 4 / 5 miles a 'short run' these days) and then save the longer runs for the weekend.
Saturday - Parkrun #51
Well, here we are. Number 51. 49 to go until my black T-shirt! (let's not make this a thing - it could become borderline obsessive)
For some reason the park seemed quieter this week, but there were 340 of us. I wouldn't say that's quiet, but it still felt.. different.
There was no photographer this week - Paul we missed you lots! And I'm rubbish at remembering to take photos so luckily, Jess was there to save the day!
The core team decided to mix things up a bit and do the run briefing slightly differently this week. They asked for first timers to come forward and did the first timers briefing with them at the cafe, and then brought then got us all at the start, before doing our briefing. Change is as good as the rest, and I certainly feel like it was a change that was needed - as I do feel the briefing can go on a bit, and for regulars, I admit, we do switch off. (sorry! 😬)
I felt I ran really well, I ran on my own this week - which was fine, and I felt quite strong. However my time didn't reflect that. 31.37. But, I shouldn't be hard on myself, we can't get PBs every week, and 31.37 is amazing for a 'comfortable run' I wonder what I would have done if I had pushed myself?
Then we all congregated at the end for a post Parkrun catch up. We were low on lions numbers this week, but we still managed to get a group photo.
It's killing me a little bit, but, I might be missing Parkrun next week for a gym class, which is killing me and I still haven't got my head around it just yet.
This is what happens when you do Parkrun every. single. week.
Sunday Trail Run 🦁
I hadn't made my mind up about this run until the back end of the week, and goodness me I am so glad I chose to go on it! 8 miles, you can do this Coxy!
I decided to give my Macmillan top its first outing, I hadn't checked the weather, but I just thought I would go for vest and shorts. (It is June, after all!)
Jess and I turned up at the Golden Lion (Lions HQ). It was slightly overcast and we were a little bit nervous of what to expect. What we endured was probably one of my most favourite runs. We were out for just under 2 hours, but it didn't feel like it. I didn't once think "I can't do this" I just kept putting one foot in front of the other, didn't care where we were. I was with 2 of my favourite people (the boys ran off!) and we were just enjoying what was around us.
I have been on trail runs before, but nothing like this, we went up Great Hill and around White Coppice and back through Brinscall. I just absolutely loved being out in the open. No, I didn't run up Great Hill, I took it in my stride and the views were just lovely.
I said, as we were on the descent to Jess being out here just hit differently. I was happy, not bothered about the time on my watch, just putting one foot in front of each other, being present, in the moment. Was it the greenery? Was it listening to the birds? Was it how quiet and isolated we were from the rest of the world?
Don't get me wrong, there is no way I would go out and do this run alone, but I was happy to be out with Jess and Shelby. We had quiet moments where we just ran and we had moments where we chatted. But with where we were, the silence wasn't awkward, it was because we were out in nature and enjoying what was on our doorstep.
Perhaps trail running is a venture I need to explore more?
8 comfortable miles that I was very happy with! It unfortunately started spitting towards the end of the run, but it was very much appreciated as a cool down!
I really don't appreciate where I live as much as I should, there is so much on my doorstep, I just don't have the confidence to explore alone. I'm so glad I've found a running club that gets me out, exploring new places and gives me the confidence to try new things out.
It's a bit like Cinderella's slipper, or choosing the right wedding dress,
when you find the right fit, you just know. 💕
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