“The greatest wealth is to live content with little.” - Plato

“Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.”
Steve Jobs

You are an explorer. Your mission is to document and observe the world around you as if you’ve never seen it before. Take notes. Collect things you find on your travels. Document your findings. Notice patterns. Copy. Trace. Focus on one thing at a time. Record what you are drawn to.

Ponderings and observations on today’s run.

 

On today’s run I noticed (well, I always notice it lately) the precariously hanging branch that is suspended right above my head whenever I run past a particular patch of trees. It has been pretty stormy/ rainy/ windy here over the last few days and every time I run past I am surprised that it is still just hanging there, biding its time. It is quite a big branch. I do hope it continues to hang around and doesn’t fall down whilst I am actually running underneath of it. This is actually quite a big fear of mine. Not with regards to this particular branch (it isn’t that evil), just any precarious shrubbery. Being hit by falling branches, wacked in the face by leaves and branch, falling acorns, large tufts of grass upon the moors and narrow pathways lined with stinging nettles are all very valid obstacles of the plant variety that runners face. 

On my run today I explored. A little. I dodged a lot of snails. This is odd because during a run last week I dodged (funnily enough, my spell check just put that I ‘judged’ the slugs…maybe I am) a lot of slugs and now snails. What determines whether or not there are more snails than slugs out there and vice versa? One thing is that snails are ‘prettier’ than slugs. And there is more crunching if you fail to avoid them. You’re not simply destroying the creature…you’re wrecking a home! It is a much tougher game than ‘Sludge’ (slug dodge). Not only are you stepping on them, but there is both visual impact and sound effects. It is more traumatic all around.  So on today’s run as well as properly philosophising about shrubbery, I also spared some in depth thoughts for snails and slugs and slimy creatures. Runners are thoughtful.

Running up a particular road and a particular long hill on my route I tried my best to keep a steely look of determination upon my face. It is an excellent test of willpower. You can’t stop. It is quite a busy road and your inner voice screams ‘NO, you cannot stop up here, you have to keep on going, they expect you to stop because it’s such a strange hill that seems to drag on…even bus’s and some cars (my little banger) struggle up this hill, you HAVE TO keep running!’ And so you do.  And I notice my arms swinging much more ferociously as I get to the mid-point and my heart is beating much faster than before. I’m pushing out strange breaths and my lips are making an ‘O’ shape…I imagine. But I get to the house at the top and I can’t help but grin. Like some manic crazy mad woman I am stood there in the dark, in the drizzle, alone and grinning. Smiling to myself. And to the hill. In this moment I am pretty satisfied with myself. 

I’ve dragged myself out for the second night on the run to run up the hill I have avoided running up for quite some while and now I’m on a little streak. And it’s a really great feeling. I stop for a moment and turn around and know that I now get the best feeling. I get to leggit down the hill. This type of running is like being a small child and just going with it. I’m not sure with what. But you just go with this feeling you have at that particular moment and you’re free to run full pelt down a hill, in the dark. It’s your own little adventure. You dodge fallen twigs and little stones and there’s no-one else about. Sure I was running in a place surrounded by countryside, but I was far from the most idyllic place in the world. It is a big road. It is countrified, but it is still a road. And yet, it’s a really good run.

I didn’t collect anything I found on my travels. Well, a daddy long legs flew in the house when I got back home. Did I collect him? Maybe he just needs a place to camp out for a while away from the wind and rain. I did think about pulling down the overhanging dodgy branch, but I probably wouldn’t have brought it home. It was massive. I don’t know what it is about branches and trees today. I also made myself laugh whilst simultaneously scaring myself (I jumped) as I skipped over a weird spider-shaped (yes, really) rogue branch/ plant/ thing. I laughed because I realised it was way too big to ever be a spider; unless bird eating spiders have moved to Britain. Also, it was without doubt on second glance, a plant related obstacle. Silly me.

A useful thing I learnt tonight and something that someone has told me before is that I like to run whilst holding onto things in my hands. When I completed the Brathay 10 marathons in 10 days challenge I nearly always held a banana or a bottle of water or a buff in one or both of my hands during my run. I got to thinking: Is it a comfort thing or a practical thing? I actually think it helps me position my arms better and run better. Tonight I had a fleecy buff in one hand, as well as my mp3 player in the same hand; my nose kept running, invisible spider webs kept getting in my eyes and I needed something to wipe both away. Music wise, I have an annoying habit of sticking my mp3 on shuffle and then skipping pretty much all of the tracks that come on, before settling on a truly motivational tune that’ll get me running at my best. Maybe I should change my music, but I kind of like it the way it is. I mix it up. 

Anyway, in my other hand I had my torch. My hands were both clenched and I don’t know, it seems to make my lower arm muscle more taut and angular to the elbow and I just end up swinging my arms ‘better’; more efficiently. Thinking about it even more, I seem to straighten my posture and look ahead more, rather than down (I have really bad posture and slouch a lot…long body) and my running feels smoother. See, the simplest of actions can provide revolutionary thoughts and answers. Well, it was quite insightful to me anyway. 

Today I was drawn to the simple things. It is easy to overlook the simple things. In fact, sometimes all the massive crazy things that happen in the world and in our lives demand that we neglect thoughts surrounding the simple things. Every now and again it is refreshing to think about the simple things; about the snails and the gravely sandy bit on the bridge over the canal; upon which I dramatically fell over once on a run and ended up with very bloody knees.  It is relaxing to let your guard down and just ‘go with it’. It is liberating to look a complete mess and like I have been dragged through a wet hedge backwards and still come out smiling. It is ok to smile to myself out in public along a long dark road. It is fun to dodge puddles. It is fun to splash into puddles. It is amazing to be out in the cold biting air and to see all the nice cosy warm cars driving past and be certain that you would never want to switch places with them at that moment in time (okay, on the Grand Union Canal ultra I did want to snuggle up on a nice warm barge…there was crazy torrential rain & I was wearing a bin bag & I had about 90 miles left to run and they look so cosy).

So there we go. That was today.  I rediscovered the simple things. I also rediscovered my mega padded, furry hooded winter coat. Not for running in. That’d be interesting. But it is snugly. Hey, it’s even okay to write random bloggage that won’t make too much sense to others. Just exploring.

You are an explorer.

I’ve had some really good runs this week. I’ve really been getting my running mojo back. I’ve gone out for a run and smiled for no reason and had those moments where you just feel happy and contented to be doing what you’re doing, to be running, to be out there.  It all sounds a bit mystical, but there is this overwhelming feeling of peace and contentment sometimes when you’re just running along and feel relaxed. Just for a few short moments you can just feel so serene and nothing much else matters. It is great when nothing much else matters except for the 'there and then', the here and now.

Every run I’ve done this week has been in the dark out of choice. I love running in the darkness and getting my head torch out down country lanes. Sure, it can be a bit creepy but it feels like more of an adventure.  I do take a head torch with me in my jacket pocket and a mobile phone though just to be on the safe side. Certainly, this week I’ve had a lot of down moments, a lot, but in the good moments where I’ve been running and running well, I’ve felt happy and been thankful that I have that outlet and that will never change.

Last night I went out for a nice 5 miler. I saw a fox, really close up! The fox I met was a bit too chilled out, was stood only a few metres away, looked at me and just stood there and then took a few steps closer. It was nice to have met, but considering my encounters with cows and some dogs, I decided to run off in the other direction :)

This week I’ve also applied for more jobs, looked at jobs (it’s a job looking) and options. I’ve also been way too philosophical this week. It’s a strength of mine that I do take the time to think and a downfall that I think far too much about things in general at times. It can drive you a bit crazy when you’ve got too much time on your hands to think. It’s been quite lonely. I can be alone, but I like people. I need more social interaction from like-minded people. Otherwise I think I will just drive myself crazy…if I’m not a little already haha

Anyway, just a few thoughts... I seem to be full of them this week.

Later on in the day (Mini update):

I went out for another really awesome run & it was just really brilliant; just what I needed. It was a fantastic fantastically wet & rainy 10.46 miles & there was a big hill thrown in there (I used to run it all the time, but I haven't in ages, with no good reason but laziness I guess). It was just really darn good :-) and I got fantastically soaked, wooo! So fantastic really is the buzz word for that little meander

Thinking: the talking of the soul with itself - Plato

What have I been upto? Well I have been applying for a lot of jobs and I have been doing a lot of thinking. 

I have also been going to the gym quite a lot and have lost a bit of weight; not majorly but noticeably to me. It seems strange that not running such long distances could equate to weight loss, but I think our bodies just reach a certain point, perhaps, where we get used to the exercise we are doing & become more economical and fuel efficient/ our body almost goes into some sort of shock or safety mode and hangs onto some of the weight for fear of what may happen to it.  Well, this is what I can imagine my body doing whilst pounding out a lot of marathons and ultra’s. I can picture it, with a persona of its own, shaking its head stubbornly and going ‘Er, no, I will not burn that fat because basically I feel like you’re abusing me…’

But essentially, I have also just been breaking up my exercise and doing it more consistently throughout the week, with lots of weight work in there too.  I do think that would be an interesting study, if it hasn’t already been done, which I’m sure it must have on some scale: get someone to do a huge block of exercise in one go Vs. subject breaking up the same quota of exercise into smaller chunks throughout the week. Of course, stuff would be hard to figure out conclusively, but it’d make a sort of interesting case study. You could throw all sorts of variables into the equation. Also, I feel like I’ve not been eating as much which I think  is due to not having so many big events to run. I don’t feel the need to fuel up quite so much. And I haven’t been feeling as hungry. However, I think that’s a sensible approach. It makes sense to me that if you don’t need to fuel up for a lot of long steady miles then you shouldn’t.

The other night I had an awesome run down some pretty dark country roads. I love it. And at the same time it is slightly creepy. But how I have missed those early dark evenings and being able to run off and get your head torch out (held in my hand, because I feel silly). I thought I would be sensible and took my OMM waist pack with me – ensuring I looked like a real weirdo – and shoved a gel in there & my mobi, just in case I ended up falling into a bush or attacked by wild animals or something  :p  It would be most entertaining to do an off-road ultra in America when I’m so ‘concerned’ about the prospect of animals here haha…

Ultimately I managed to get in just over 8 sweaty miles. The sweaty bit is important. I felt I worked pretty hard out there the other night and it was fun. It was all on paved bits, but in the dark it almost feels like trail running because you’re out there in the countryside and constantly trying to dodge things and I like that. I do miss trail running. I need to get my trail shoes out and go get properly muddy. I’m thinking this weekend I may indeed get in a much overdue off-road run.

And I need to remind myself constantly that this slight hiccup in me being able to run lots of things I would like to run (but can’t; silly money) won’t be there forever. It really makes you appreciate the events you do get to do. I feel that next year there will be a big adventure in there somewhere. I don’t know what yet. I don’t know where. But there will be a big adventure and it’s out there somewhere…

 

  

The power of imagination makes us infinite. - John Muir

Double Round the Reservoir Marathonage

28^th – 29^th July, Madeyarun Around the Reservoir

This was my first double in absolutely ages and I was much looking forward to it, if not a little disorganised for it; meaning that I left it until the very last minute to get all my kit and stuff together, I literally just flung in everything and anything I thought I might need into numerous bags. It always ends up looking like I’m about to go on some massive expedition! Well, at least I had everything I needed.

I was looking forwards to seeing all of the usual suspects and I was not disappointed. There were so many faces there that I hadn’t seen in such a long time and it was great. It really cheered me up, since at the moment I am finding it pretty hard to muster together the money to do many of these races. This is particularly hard considering that ‘marathon season’ is fast approaching and there are loads of awesome autumn events on the horizon *Grrrrr* It’s a bit of a trying time to be honest, but long distance running always puts a smile on my face.

Marathon Day 1

It had been raining up in the North West, but once down in Northampton the sun really came out. And it was Olympics opening weekend, so I’m sure it was a good omen. It was absolutely boiling in Northampton. It was sunny too. However, it was hotter rather than bright shining sun. I could literally see and feel the salt on my head. I could have exfoliated with it! I think you get the picture how warm it was…

It was a 7 lap course around the reservoir and started off with a shorter loop and then the next 6 laps followed the same path and was slightly longer, ultimately culminating in just over 26 miles and marathon distance. Unfortunately, but very predictably, a few of us got a bit lost on the start of the second and bigger lap. All was ok. It simply meant that we ended up running about half a mile extra, but no big deal. You scratch your head, work out where you went wrong, turn around and get on with it. At least we avoided going wrong again.

There was a check point table of goodies and friendly helpers at the end of the loop and it was lovely to refuel on coke, my favourite and most loved running fuel of choice. I never tire of it and it always gives me and boost and I always look forwards to it. Addicted to cola? Perhaps. I don’t really drink it too much when not running. That is, unless it contains some sort of spirit ;-)

There was a nice mix of cycle paths, grass and off-road on this course. It made things interesting and mixed it up a bit. I’m not the best lover of laps, but when the terrain is variable, it always makes things more interesting and I like that. Also, one side of the reservoir was a lot warmer and more exposed to the sun than the other side. This meant that on the far side of the water there was a lovely cooling breeze. This was the best balance of all.

Overall, this was a nice fun steady run. After I finished I sat under the tree, relaxed and ate some salted crisps. Oh, I also drank some more coke. We were staying in a Holiday Inn and it just happened to be right at the start/ finish, which was ideal. I was able to get a lovely shower, catch up on the day’s Olympic cycling and chill out. I also got a bit dressed up and went down to the bar and refuelled with a nice refreshing pint. Later on, me and a lot of other runners hit a local pub and had some much needed grub…and another pint. I’m pretty sure some had much more than that….

I didn’t get much sleep on the Saturday night because there was a huge 50^th birthday party going on in the hotel. It was quite funny listening to all the cheesy tunes though and seeing how hungover some of the other runners were the next day was quite an amusing sight to behold, so I’ll forgive a bit of noise.

Marathon Day 2

I was feeling pretty hungry and took advantage of the buffet style breakfast. I love staying in hotels. I especially love fancy coffee machines that give you fancy frothy coffee. I may have had too many. I needed the caffeine. Today was to be another hot day, but not quite as sunny.

I think I was ever so slightly faster on day 2, which isn’t really saying much because I wasn’t particularly fast on day 1. I guess time is insignificant to me at these types of events. It was just a really very lovely social run.

I didn’t get lost on day 2, but I did get ever so slightly muddy and I definitely got soaked. The heavens opened a bit later on and it really rained quite hard. It started, and then it stopped and then started up again and even threw in a bit of thunder. I didn’t see any lightening, but even hearing thunder when out doing a marathon kind of fills me with a bit of dread. I start to ponder how fast I could run if I really needed to. I also do this with fields and cows. I start to think of possible escape routes and if I could outrun what I fear the most. I guess it makes me run faster, for a bit!  Fortunately the bad weather really started on the last lap and I was safe anyway, I just tend to get ever so slightly paranoid.

I had a really nice run on the Sunday. I had felt slightly ill on Saturday. My stomach felt awful and was cramping up and I think the heat had played a large part in that. Overall, all was good. I did come away with some rather fetching tan lines, however. Apparently the trick is that I need to alter the length of my shorts, but I don’t know how short I’m willing to go haha. I don’t think I can really pull that look off very well! For now I will just be proud of my funky tan lines. All in all this was a really well organised weekend and I really like the medals we got. For doing the double we received a little bonus medal :) I do like bling!

Things I learnt from the weekend?

The threat of lightening makes me run faster. I quite like running in the rain (but I guess that idea is just reaffirmed). Coke is the best drink during a run. Beer is the best drink after a run (and Guinness of course).  I need to alter the length of my shorts…