The man at the garage asked if I could bring my car in early this morning for it’s annual service and MOT. He suggested 8:15am. ‘But Thursday is my running day’ I thought, and was frantically working out what time I needed to set off in order to complete an eight mile run before delivering my vehicle into his capable hands.
So with flashes of light beginning to form across the eastern sky, at 6:15am I began my run. Overnight the wind had howled around the house and rain had rattled against the window, for some reason every previous Thursday had been a wet one and as I lay in bed I had no reason to suspect that todays run would be any different.
The streetlights were still scattering their light on the rain soaked ground beneath, but as I glanced skyward I could see the remains of the night sky with some bright stars still visible. The angry clouds had gone now and the wind was nothing more than a gentle breeze, and although no records were threatened this morning, it turned out to be a very satisfying run indeed with the added bonus of a brilliant sunrise.
This run had been greatly enhanced by the sight of a wonderful sunrise, the thought of Surfermoms beautifully sculptured legs, and the migrating habits of thousands of Monarch Butterflies. My motor was delivered on time and I await the results…And all before 8:30am…Let Thursday begin…:-D:-D:-D
While most would consider a pre-dawn run splashing through the chilly puddles as misery, a keen writer’s eye, an athlete’s determination, and the zen of mind and body can make it sound like pure bliss. Beautifully described, OGF, and thank you for running in my sted! I have twelve days left, and am agonizingly jealous. May your car have as excellent health marks as her driver!
The challenge of two week of recovery is not to lose muscle mass and endurance. I am not sure what four miles of daily walking will do for the endurance after two weeks, but this does afford me time to concentrate on arms and abs which I rarely attend to in isolation. It was happy news when I awoke to sore triceps.
Now I just have to resolve the problem of being too close to the kitchen all day long…
I do 20-30 minute routines 4-5 days a week. Upper-Lower-Core-Yoga-? I do all workouts at home with a bench, glider, dumb bells. Awesome to see all the healthy people posting. I am new, this is cool.
I don’t think my legs had recovered since Sunday’s extraordinary run. About half way round this morning’s eight miles I could feel tiredness creeping into my quads. I managed to keep it going until the end in not a too shabby time, but I did beat the angry looking clouds that chased me home and deposited their haul of water upon the neighbourhood once I was safely indoors…:-D:-D:-D
Welcome to the forum Dawn Marie, we’re assembling quite a useful team on the forum…
You are really cranking out the miles, OGF, and reportedly with very satisfying runs. It sounds like it has been a bit rainy there of late. Is that fairly typical for October? I actually enjoy the occasional rainy run as long as I don’t get too chilled…
…but getting child was not a problem today as it was warm and very humid. I am fighting the battle in my brain in which the well-behaved side is telling me that I still have six days before I can run, and the other side that is saying…a few yards couldn’'t possibly hurt…
…well, I behaved and walked four miles. I am making up for my lethargy cleaniing out closets…but somehow it’s just not the same…!
Where on earth do you usually run Surfermom, and who with…:surprised::surprised::surprised:
Seriously though, I know it’s hard, but don’t do too much too soon…
Walking’s good for now, but try and avoid those ‘children’…
Thanks also Dawn Marie (My daughter is called Marie) I was lucky yesterday but I’m probably living in borrowed time…and I’ll probably get rained on sometime soon.
Yes Surfermom, we do tend to get plenty of rain in October/November, in fact, the river close to where I live has only burst it’s banks two or three times that I can remember, and it was in November every time. Fortunately, there is a large floodplain and only a few dwellings get affected here, but upstream, they are not so lucky.
A warm wind this morning as Mrs Fox and me set off for a three mile walk along the canal towpath, so it’s still good enough to wear shorts. I understand we are getting the remains of one of the hurricanes that harassed you Surfermom. It was quite refreshing anyway and we were able to maintain a good pace all the way round.
Back to the running tomorrow, so I hope this decent weather continues, but it doesn’t really matter…I’ll still be out running whatever the good lord decides to send…It’s the frogs and boils that are harder to deal with…
Ha, ha, very funny, OGF. I try very hard not to chase, catch, or eat children…at least while I am running.
I am the world’s worst typist. In high school I had the choice between taking physics and typing, and that decision actually caused a row between my parents. My mother wanted me to learn how to type and my dad wanted me to take the science. Guess who won the argument?
Anyway, I digress. It sounds like it was a fine day for a stroll, if not a bit breezy there. Isn’t it fascinating how these storms are birthed over Africa and then wind their way around the Atlantic? While this is old hat to the forum, I was curious to read about the cause of these rainy months (influx of polar air meeting tropical air just like this system making your way, blocking patterns, etc.).
For me, it was another day of walking, four miles in my favorite place - the Enchanted Forest. At least I call it that. This area is part of a more extensive trail system that has wide, paved, but relatively soft running surfaces. The paths run through high, lush, and ancient maritime oak stands, where both natives and explorers (Columbus, Ponce de Leon) sought shelter forty feet above the encroaching storm surges and their punishing winds. Today it was much more serene with dappled sunlight lacing the forest floor and the cool air from the trees’ respiration making for near perfect conditions. My legs, though sore, feel sound as ever and I’m actually benefitting from working out different muscle sets. All in all, it was a fine day.
Sorry to hear about the struggle with your health Swimmy, sometimes things just happen and they are out of our control, but once you have experienced what it’s like to be fit and able bodied, nothing will stop you from trying to regain some of that fitness back.
From reading your posts Swim, I can see that you are a strong willed and determined person who refuses to lie down. Power to you, and I have every confidence that you will achieve your goals…
Surfermom, that trail just begs to be run or walked, it looks like paradise…
Still quite dark as I stepped out of the house this morning, the first thing that struck me were the spots of rain gently sprinkling on my face and legs. So being a wuss, I nipped back for my waterproof top. I needn’t have bothered, because as the sky got brighter I could see it wasn’t one of those ‘In for the day’ type skies. It was a bit child (chilly) though, so my thin waterproof would keep out the cool breeze and not contribute to overheating later.
All went well and the rising sun sent shards of orange and red across the eastern sky, and a standing ovation from a gang of croaking Rooks assembling on a nearby telegraph pole seemed to add enthusiasm and energy to my pace. A flock of Seagulls passed high overhead, it’s about fifty miles from the nearest coast to here, and I wondered if they had made the decision to embark on an excursion inland in the same way that I would decide to spend a day at the seaside. They, like me, certainly are long distance travellers.
The last mile was a bit of a struggle, but as it’s through the village a good style had to be maintained, and something to lean on while I recovered was welcome, but that adds another eight miles to my total, bringing my 2017 tally to 851 miles with two and a half months left to try and reach 1000…But lets not think that far ahead…
I imagine that your fitness level going into into such a devastating illness greatly contributed to your survival. While it takes a certain intrinsic discipline to stay fit, it takes a wholly different level of determination and fortitude when you have been knocked that far down to come back so respectably well.
It’s all relative Swimfeeders. Fighting the challenges of time and keeping your chin up in the form of an exercise bike spinning, and your feet moving is not for children!
OGF, it was not the least bit child today when I went out for one of my last remaining walks before I break out like a filly too long in the stall on Sunday.
With the rising sun illuminating the gulf like vast pools of mercury, I squinted towards the east and set out for a solid six mile walk. The first time I had been along the beach since the storm, my pace was too often broken by my interest in spongy sea cucumbers, gelatinous moon jellyfish, and mermaids purses that littered the shore. With reclaimed focus, I did my best to keep pace with willets and sanderlings racing ahead with one eye on the low tide feast and the other on my interminable shadow. It was only they and a pod of disinterested breakfasting dolphins keeping company for the first three miles. In less than record-breaking time, I made the pivot at the halfway point with the sun warming my back and the faint hint of sea breezes offering a cooling reward for my noble restraint…because all I wanted to to do in those last few miles was…run.
You are so right, OGF, one loses oneself in that maritime forest. It is such a rare and unique feature of our area that I am forever jumping in to protect it from encroaching development. Cool, verdant and teaming with wildlife, it is a very special place.
Just love this beautifully written piece Surfermom…
Makes me want to drive to the coast immediately. Unfortunately, My path lies in a different direction today…A visit to the dentist to repair a broken tooth…
My exercise routine had dropped like a stone since my heart attack two weeks ago, but I’m spending time walking and I’m itching to get back to the gym at some point. Of course, it will have to be baby steps and under supervision at first, but I aim to be back there solo as soon as is practical.
What a terrible shock and setback for you, but you are right, you will get back to the business of working out in due time. Old Grey Fox is an expert on the subject having been victorious over a heart attack in his early 50s and now probably more fit than ever - running long distances several times per week.
Keep us apprised of how you are mending and what you are doing to rebuild your strength and fitness. Very, very pleased you are still with us!
Thanks very much indeed, that is very kind of you! I did a walk of about 1½ miles today, feeling I could have done more, but have to be realistic and set goals that won’t do more harm than good. I’ll improve on that, though!
that is saying…a few yards couldn’'t possibly hurt…
!
I did a walk of about 1½ miles today, feeling I could have done more, but have to be realistic and set goals that won’t do more harm than good. 
I’ll improve on that, though!