Off Roading !!

08/02/2011 - In the week I ran my "new" 7 mile jaunt when on the way I noticed a public footpath just off the route I was taking that headed off into the countryside.  That looks interesting, I thought, I'll head that way next run.  So mid week and it was off to try out the footpath I'd seen previously.  First thing first I had to find it and it's amazing how things look differently when your heading in the opposite direction and it's nearing dark when previously it was daylight.  So after I'd run around a bit I eventually found it and set off.  Trusty headtorch lighting the way I headed through the gate and down the dirt track into the countryside.  I'd obviously found a good route as I met a number of runners coming in the opposite direction.  All I'm sure envious of my headtorch  as they ran in the near dark.  I was right it was an excellent route and as I jogged round I saw a number of different routes I could take on future runs.  I could not stay out long so in all I completed a lovely 5 miles.

A few days later and I'd determined to do the run in the daylight so I could see what other routes lay open for future runs.  So back to the entrance of the footpath and off I go.

The start of miles of lovely running

I had decided to do the same run again just to get my bearings which as it goes was a good thing as the wind was terrible.  Some of the gusts nearly stopped you in your tracks.  Still loads of runners out, cyclists and people walking their dogs. 

A river runs through it

Then I saw the signs I did not see in the dark.  It turns out this whole area is a nature reserve lol.  So I do my five miles but notice an addition to the run I want to try on my next run out. 

Before then I needed to go shopping.  We need a new fridge as the old one is on it's last legs (bit like me).  We tried to buy one just before Christmas but in a failed shopping trip we came back with a microwave and an LCD TV.  So determined to not make the same mistake again we set off with the steelly determination to only look at and buy a fridge.  So shopping done and a new home computer purchased I set my self the task of buying a new fridge next weekend and going out for an exploritory run on Tuesday (tonight). p.s. the computer is very sexy, I was seduced.

So tonight armed with the usual trusty torch and the addition of a pocket of Skittles ( just for nutritional reasons obviously) I set off for the exploritory run.  It was quiet late and seeing as I seem to be the only person  in the county to have a trusty headtorch as soon as I'd gone through the gate into the reserve I was on my own.  Lovely clear night and I mulled over the idea of running naked through the fields as it would have given me something trully epic to pop on the blog.  In the end I decided against it and continued on. 

Eventually came to a part I'd never been down before, this was going to take me well off the beaten track.  I sucked on another Skittle and headed on.  It was fab.  I felt all alone in the world, in the middle of nowhere and needed to keep running just to get home.  Then I sort of got lost, well not trully lost as I sort of knew my rough position .... ish....... just not which direction etc I should be going in.    Eventually after about 20 minutes of running sort of in a circle back to where I started  I eventually came to a road.  AHA! I know where I am......about a mile from where I though I was.  Oh Well.  So now I could head for home.  Eventually got in after an hour and 20 minutes and the longest run so far this year a shade under 8 miles.