Week 23 - A good week and an International Space Station
Sunday 10 September 2017. We had more rain today than I had seen in a while. My mother and father were pottering around all day cooking ham, spuds and veg. They have a habit of shouting at each other, but they seem to enjoy it, as it's their thing and I just left them to it. I checked the weather forecast and it didn't look great. There was to be lots of rain and lightning. I wasn't going to go under trees with lightning overhead.
The lightning never came, but by God did it keep raining hard. I kept checking the weather forecast, and I had a shower, in case things changed. Things did change. At 4.30 pm I checked the weather map again and the nearest showers were 40 miles away. I looked outside and the sun was starting to break through the trees. There were clouds overhead, but there was a blue sky from the direction the wind was coming from.
I soon set off walking towards The Glen. The soles of my feet started to hurt yesterday as I ran along the pavement on my way home. I've suffered with policeman's foot before and I never want it again. So today, I was pensive about everything. I was not going to run until I got very close to The Glen.
What I call the "entrance footbridge" and the "exit footbridge"
I had an apple in my hand, ready to treat the horse. However, he was nowhere to be seen. I left it by the gate of his field and walked on. I jogged down into The Glen and as I crossed over the entrance footbridge, a bloke walked past me with a small dog and a woman was walking towards me.
I turned right, then left over the footbridge over the river. I started my first lap climbing up along the upper path. The river was higher than I had ever seen it, but the sun was out blinding me through the trees. It was also windy, but it was pleasant. I had ran on both of the last two days and I was worried about my feet, my weak ankle and how tired I might be after two days of good workouts.
River in full flow, taken from footbridge.
As usual, on the first lap I didn't feel great. I never do on the climb up along the highest path. As I reached the car park I said hello to a young woman getting out of an Audi. As I crossed over the footbridge from the car park, and along the path before the steep climb up to the disused reservoir, I was thinking I need to do at least three laps, but four laps would be better - I was worried my feet may start hurting. However, in the back of my mind I know four laps takes me to over 20 minutes jogging and that is a good workout.
I set off on the second lap and I still wasn't feeling great. The sun was fully out and there was a wind from the fields to my right. It was warmer, but thanks to the wind I hadn't started to sweat yet. By now I was just hoping to get five laps in. I was taking it easy, but I always speed up on the downhills as I feel more comfortable and it's in my blood. In the car park there was still the woman's blue Audi and a white Seat that had been there since my first lap.
By now I was thinking four laps would be great, so I just kept it easy as I wanted to complete at least four laps. The second lap finished and as I climbed again, on the third I was feeling more relaxed. I passed the man & dog again - the dog almost tripped me up. I enjoyed the decent to the car park and another woman was getting out of another blue Audi - both parked next to each other. We said hello.
The laps kept accumulating and I kept passing the man and the dog. He did say hello twice. The two women in the Audi's were always friendly each time I passed them. Before I could believe it I was on my sixth lap. My thoughts were, I didn't intend to do this many. As I climbed I just said to myself, take it easy to finish this and get to the waterfall. However, I was enjoying what I have always done. Great scenery and lovely footpaths to run on. It made me think about The Green Belt Relay - a race I founded and organised for 18 years. It made me think about when I ran in the North Downs 30 k - a race I finished 5th out of 1,500 runners. Those were happy times and today was starting to get happier. Even the birds must have been happy as they were singing in the trees.
Bird singing at dusk in an Irish Glen
The amazing thing about running, is it makes you feel good due to the releases endorphin in your brain. You get this through exercise and by God the release of this chemical makes you feel so better in yourself. It's been a long time since endorphin has been released in my brain, but today I believed that happened.
I was still passing the man with the dog and the two ladies with the Audi's. One of the Audi's had disappeared by the time I reached the car park on my sixth lap. The Seat was still there. As I ran through the car park I decided six laps was enough. After the steep climb up to the disused reservoir I didn't feel that bad and as always pushed on along the flat after the top of the hill. It's what I have learned from years of running and you reap so many benefits by not stopping.
The old disused reservoir
As I ran along the flat path, after the reservoir, I was thinking "maybe a seventh lap, that would be huge". I was feeling good, but my legs were feeling a bit tired. I decided to turn left over the footbridge and start a seventh lap. I passed the bloke with the dog again. My legs were weary, but as I climbed and then descended I felt OK. As I reached the car park again a car had pulled up, blocking the river path and blocking me. I had to run around a car and a young couple with a dog. I didn't really worry too much about it, but I did think it was a bit selfish on their part. It's a large car park and they didn't need to block the river path and the route I run. Maybe I'll just advise then if they come back. God, I hope you don't think I'm moaning.
Anyway, seventh lap. I couldn't believe this. My feet weren't sore and I had ran more than I expected today. As I ran along the flat in the direction of the waterfall, I came to the left turn to the footbridge over the river. As I reached it, I just thought why not add a few extra yards and come back on myself. I set off on the climb and intended to turn around after 100 m, but I kept going to the top of the path. I decided to run an extra 100 m, then a bit more. However, by that time I was descending towards the car park. As I descend I usually feel good, so what the hell, I'll just finish the lap. This was now my eight lap.
After I ran downhill, then ran through the car park, the other lady in the second Audi was about to get in to her car, and she said hello, I said best wishes to her. To me, such little things like this are special. Be nice to people and always make them feel good. Never put a person down and always make them feel good about themselves. It's so easy to be nice.
The steep climb up after the car park was OK. I was still feeling good. I pushed on after the top and along the long flat path. By now my legs were feeling tired. You have got to remember when I used to run I weighed 9.5 stone. When I started "The Long Run Back to Fitness" I weighed 17.5 stone. In 22 weeks I have lost 3 stone, but I'm still grossly over-weight. So just to be back running is a huge plus. The only thing that was quite annoying today was the amount of midges, and they always seem to be gathered at the same places.
Midges, and lots of them.
On my eight lap I felt tired and my legs were flagging. I thought bollocks this is enough, it would be five miles. The steep climb up after the car park felt OK and I pushed on around the reservoir.As I ran along the flat straight path my mind was running wild, My best, up to now, was eight laps and to the waterfall. Basically 8.3 km. I had already done a lot in the previous two days and to equal my best would be a great result.
Anyway, even though my legs were flagging, I decided to turn left, over the river and climb partly onto the highest path. The intention was to turn around and just make it more than 8.3 km. However, as I ran along the top of the highest path, I was just enjoying myself and decided to keep going on the descent to the car park. I enjoyed the sharp steep climb after that, so I was OK all the way to the waterfall. I did think of doing a tenth lap, but I just thought, enjoy is enough and maybe some day soon I'll do that 10th lap.
It was 9.3 km in one interval, and by God was I so pleased. Remember, I an still 5 stone heavier than I should be, and to run this far on my weight is a bonus. It's hard work, but I'm enjoying it. There is a lot of history in my legs and my mind when it comes to running. It may have been many years ago and I'm not willing to give up. If a fat bloke can do this, then anyone can.
I finished off by jogging from the waterfall, up out of The Glen and part was along the road. A distance of 0.45 km. This brought my total jogging for the day to 9.75 km (or just over 6 miles). I also walked around 1 mile today.
On my was home from The Glen I stopped by the gate to the field. The apple was still there and the horse was on top of the embankment. I picked up the apple, but I didn't call the horse. He was looking at me and I just threw the two halves of the apple inside the gate. I thought he could get it in his own time.
When I got home I rubbed myself down, changed and went to my bother's pub for a few pints of the black stuff.
Monday 11 September 2017. I decided not to go for a run today, instead I would just go for a walk. Again it had rained most of the day, but by 6.10 pm I was out walking. It had stopped raining and I was armed with my camcorder a carrier bah and an apple. I couldn't see the horse and just walked on. I'll catch him on the way back.
As I walked down into The Glen I picked up a stick I had hidden in the bushes a few days ago. When I got down to the entrance footbridge, I could see the relief channel had lots of water in it due to the rain from the last two days.
When I arrived at the waterfall there was a carrier bag, sitting next to the bench and overflowing with litter. Next to the carrier bag was a half drank carton of milk. It was obvious that someone had been enjoying a picnic the previous evening and had collected all their rubbish and left it tidy, hoping for someone to come along and take it away. Of course I did just that.
The river was high and the noise of the water flowing down the waterfall was loud. So loud that I didn't see the bull and the other cattle lurking about just behind the trees on the opposite side of the river. The black bull was staring me out through the trees.
I walked around The Glen taking photos and videos. There were a few people out walking, some with their dogs. When I reached the car park I squeezed the overflowing carrier bag of litter into the bin. I then headed up along the highest path, then back over the river and along the flat path to the old reservoir.
Back at the car park, a group on teenage lads were sitting on the overlooking benches. It was starting to get dark and I headed back along the river path, still taking the odd video as I went. It was a really pleasant walk and the rain stayed off. As I walked over to the footbridge some small birds flew out from under it and started playing on a branch which had falling into the middle of the river.
On my was out of The Glen I hid my stick in the bushes for another night and then headed towards home. As I passed the field I could see the horse on the top of the railway embankment and he was watching me in expectation. I walked on along the pavement to the small wall at the other end of the field, then shouted to the horse. You can see from below how eager he was to get to me.
Before going home I walked to the local shop and by the time I got back it was 8.15 pm. I had been out for over two hours, but I'd probably only walked about 3 miles.
I stayed up to 5.17 am hoping to take a video of the International Space Station pass overhead. There was a half moon in the sky and I first caught sight of the ISS going towards the moon. Watching it silently move across the sky is a spine-chilling experience. It amazed me just how quickly it moved. In a panic I tried to focus my camcorder on the moon and follow it across, but I failed. Next time I'll know what to expect. Anyway as a consolation I took a video of what I think is Venus, slightly earlier, at 5 am. If you wish to sign up to get notification of when you can see the International Space Station go past your area, go to Spot the Station website at https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/
I finished off by jogging from the waterfall, up out of The Glen and part was along the road. A distance of 0.45 km. This brought my total jogging for the day to 9.75 km (or just over 6 miles). I also walked around 1 mile today.
On my was home from The Glen I stopped by the gate to the field. The apple was still there and the horse was on top of the embankment. I picked up the apple, but I didn't call the horse. He was looking at me and I just threw the two halves of the apple inside the gate. I thought he could get it in his own time.
When I got home I rubbed myself down, changed and went to my bother's pub for a few pints of the black stuff.
Monday 11 September 2017. I decided not to go for a run today, instead I would just go for a walk. Again it had rained most of the day, but by 6.10 pm I was out walking. It had stopped raining and I was armed with my camcorder a carrier bah and an apple. I couldn't see the horse and just walked on. I'll catch him on the way back.
As I walked down into The Glen I picked up a stick I had hidden in the bushes a few days ago. When I got down to the entrance footbridge, I could see the relief channel had lots of water in it due to the rain from the last two days.
When I arrived at the waterfall there was a carrier bag, sitting next to the bench and overflowing with litter. Next to the carrier bag was a half drank carton of milk. It was obvious that someone had been enjoying a picnic the previous evening and had collected all their rubbish and left it tidy, hoping for someone to come along and take it away. Of course I did just that.
Carrier bag of litter next to the bench by the waterfall
The river was high and the noise of the water flowing down the waterfall was loud. So loud that I didn't see the bull and the other cattle lurking about just behind the trees on the opposite side of the river. The black bull was staring me out through the trees.
Unaware the Black Bull was just across the waterfall, staring me down through the trees
I walked around The Glen taking photos and videos. There were a few people out walking, some with their dogs. When I reached the car park I squeezed the overflowing carrier bag of litter into the bin. I then headed up along the highest path, then back over the river and along the flat path to the old reservoir.
Back at the car park, a group on teenage lads were sitting on the overlooking benches. It was starting to get dark and I headed back along the river path, still taking the odd video as I went. It was a really pleasant walk and the rain stayed off. As I walked over to the footbridge some small birds flew out from under it and started playing on a branch which had falling into the middle of the river.
Small birds playing on a branch in the middle of the river
On my was out of The Glen I hid my stick in the bushes for another night and then headed towards home. As I passed the field I could see the horse on the top of the railway embankment and he was watching me in expectation. I walked on along the pavement to the small wall at the other end of the field, then shouted to the horse. You can see from below how eager he was to get to me.
Horse comes running for an apple
Before going home I walked to the local shop and by the time I got back it was 8.15 pm. I had been out for over two hours, but I'd probably only walked about 3 miles.
I stayed up to 5.17 am hoping to take a video of the International Space Station pass overhead. There was a half moon in the sky and I first caught sight of the ISS going towards the moon. Watching it silently move across the sky is a spine-chilling experience. It amazed me just how quickly it moved. In a panic I tried to focus my camcorder on the moon and follow it across, but I failed. Next time I'll know what to expect. Anyway as a consolation I took a video of what I think is Venus, slightly earlier, at 5 am. If you wish to sign up to get notification of when you can see the International Space Station go past your area, go to Spot the Station website at https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/
Venus from Ireland at 5 am on 12 September 2017
Tuesday 12 September 2017. We had Storm Aileen today and it rained hard all day. I waited for the rain to die down a bit, but it didn't. I eventually got ready to go for a run, but by the time I was ready to go out it was almost 7 pm and the light wasn't great. As I knew it would the visibility underfoot, in The Glen, wouldn't be great, I decided to give it a miss today.
I did get out of bed at 4.45 am and got dressed as the International Space Station was coming over at 5.59 am. The sky was clear and I went out to capture it on video. However, just as it was due to appear, thin clouds started to appear and the moon started to disappear. I tried my best, but as you can see from below I failed again.
Wednesday 13 September 2017. It's bingo night again for my mother, so I need to get out earlier if I want to get a run in. Also, she likes to have sweet n sour chicken after the bingo. I cooked the meal, then got ready to set off. So far, this week, I had only ran on Sunday, but that 6 miles overall and my best to date.
By 6 pm I had showered and changed and was walking towards The Glen. I was armed with an apple for the horse, the rain had stopped and the sun had come out. The horse wasn't to be seen - he must have been over the other side of the old railway embankment. I left the apple by the gate and walked on. When I had passed, what was left of the old railway bridge, I looked along the other side of the embankment and there was the horse, in the distance with his hind quarter pointing at me and happily eating grass.
I walked on and, as usual, jogged into The Glen and down to the footbridge over the river. Like the previous Wednesday, there were a big group of teenage girls jogging around. Most were in front of me and a few behind me. As I turned to climb up to the top path those behind me took a short-cut and overtook me.
As usual, the first lap felt hard, but I knew they would get easier as I went on. As usual, in the back of my mind I wanted to run for at least 20 minutes, and as usual, that meant at least three laps. However, as I had a great day on Sunday, I was hoping for something special this evening. In my subconscious I was really hoping to continue for 10 km tonight.
Trying to chase the girls on the first lap was fun, but I took it easy and they did stay well ahead of me. The second lap also seemed quite tough and by now the girls had gone along the river path - I was keeping to the two higher paths as they were less slippery and I know one lap is a kilometre. On my third lap I passed all the girls, on the long flat path after the reservoir, coming from the opposite direction. The girls at the back were starting to struggle and some were walking. I encouraged them to keep going, and fair enough, all started to run again.
As I passed through the car park on my fourth lap all the girls and their minders (all women) were standing next to the footbridge from the car park. There must have been 20 in total. It's so lovely to see all these young girls out training for their next Gaelic Football or Camogie match. The woman in charge of them had to say "make a gap to let that man past" - that was me.
50 yards after passing over the footbridge from the car park, I could hear the footsteps of the young girls chasing me. After I turned the sharp corner and climbed up to the old reservoir I could see, from below, I was being hunted down by a large group of teenage girls. At the top of the climb, I run the longer path around the reservoir, as I looked across I could see the girls turning left and taking the shorter route. Soon I was back on the same path as them. Most were in front of me, but a handful were behind me. I did speed up to stay in the gap. What was going through my mind was from over 20 years ago. Around that time, I was very fit, I had ran in road races in England for a few years without being beaten by a female. In my state of current fitness it may have been the wrong thing to think about and I was just waiting to see how soon the others would pass me.
As I ran over the sluice footbridge the girls in front of me were pulling away and I passed my old school mate walking his dog. I said hello and that I had some company tonight for my jog. He just laughed and said they're a lot younger than you.
I managed to finish the lap in the same position I had joined the group, and I was pleased with myself. As I turned over the river and started to climb up to the top path, the girls behind me took a short cut again and overtook me. I had no intention of catching up on them as I had a goal tonight. I still believed I may be able to run a full 10 km without stopping and racing is not on the agenda.
As I reached the car park, the young girls had all gathered, with their minders, around the footbridge. They saw me coming down towards them and mad a gap for me to run past. I said hello to them all. I also said hello to my mate with the dog, who was nearby. I could hear the girls' manager (I assume) as she was saying "you all need to turn up to the match at the weekend". In my mind I was almost half way to 10 km.
After the steep climb up to the old reservoir I felt tired, but as always I try and push on after the top. It only takes about 50 yards to feel OK again and as I ran along the flat path, to complete the lap, I realised I was feeling good and was travelling well.
My sixth lap felt good and I had settled down into a steady pace. By the time I reached the car park again all the girls had gone. On the steep climb I felt like I was skating up the hill. This would continue as the laps went on.
As I finished the lap I could see two other teenage girls, in front of me, walking towards the waterfall. They each had a carrier bag in their hand and I wondered if it was the same two I had come across a few days ago who I said hello to and had left their chicken sandwich rappers behind them for me to pick up the next day - I didn't mind as I just love to see people enjoying this lovely space.
On my seventh lap a passed my mate with the dog again, I also passed a few other dog walkers. All were pleasant and the dogs well-behaved. I was really enjoying the challenge and was starting to believe I could go all the way to ten laps. My feet weren't feeling sore and I felt great. Well, I felt OK.
Instead of counting the laps, I started to count down until the time I would start the tenth. However, as I have always said, if at any point my body tells me to stop, then I'll listen to it. As the laps continued I was feeling more relaxed and happier in myself.
I had drank very little alcohol in the last two days and I knew this was my best opportunity yet to hit that satisfying goal of 10 km. The sun was still in the sky, the river was higher than ever and I could hear it flow from almost all points I ran through. The only time I couldn't was on the way around the old reservoir.
On my eight and ninth lap I was still passing the odd dog-walker and I was still enjoying running on such a beautiful evening. The four or five puddles on the upper path always got me as I plodded through them, and I've never seen a puddle up here - thanks Storm Aileen! Puddles never bothered me in the past and they still won't.
The strange thing about starting my tenth lap, was I was so focused on the path in front of me. I was worrying if my legs could take it and I was worrying about the light. I was concentrating harder as I didn't want to trip over a fallen branch or even a have a twig take me by surprise. It hasn't been that long since I badly sprained my ankle and I just wanted to do this. It was something I thought I might never achieve again. To me, being able to run 10 km is something that make you feel like you are a runner again. Funnily enough I did concentrate on my footing during the whole run, but on my tenth lap I was just totally focused. I was just so focused, but as I reached the top of the climb, I started to think if the bull and cattle were anywhere close to the fence. I looked back over my shoulder and lo and behold most were right up against the fence looking at me. Maybe, they were cheering me on, but as I had just passed them, I wasn't that worried.
I still felt great and I did speed up on the descent to the car park. I probably ran faster up the steep hill to the old reservoir than I ever had and I stretched out along the flat path. As I reached the junction of paths, straight on towards the waterfall or left to start another lap, I decided to turn left and over the river to add a few extra yards. I did think twice about an eleventh lap, but I didn't know the time and I didn't want to push myself too far. I had achieved something I have not done in 17 years and extra. There are other days and my mother is relying on me to take her to the bingo. I did feel as if I could just keep going.
As I climbed up the path the cattle were there to greet me. I decided to just add an extra 200 m. So I ran 100 and came back on myself and then ran to the waterfall. As I stopped I roared out, not in pain, in satisfaction. My roar attracted the attention of the cattle and within a minute they were just across the river, in the field and by the waterfall.
With all the rain we have had the river was flowing well and the sound of the water going over the waterfall was very loud. As for the two teenage girls, I saw going in this direction earlier, they were nowhere to be seen, and thankfully left no litter behind them.
As I still felt good, maybe from having achieved a huge goal tonight, I didn't stretch for long. I thought about another lap, but decided I just jog along the flat path, in the direction of the reservoir. I kept the pace slow, but went all the way to the reservoir, around it and back to the exit footbridge.
I climbed the steep path to exit The Glen and continued to climb to the road junction. I turned left along the pavement towards home. I was counting the steps and, with going back on myself from the old rail bridge and back again, I made it up to 1.55 km. So total jogging tonight was 10.5 km and 1.55 km (or 7.5 miles) - that to me is amazing. It's been hard work, but in just over 22 weeks I have gone from not being fit enough to run to this. I also walked almost a mile today/
As I passed the gate, to the horse's field, I picked up both halves of the apple I had left there earlier. He was nowhere to be seen as I continued along the pavement. On reaching the end of the field I threw it into the place he often eats as I pass. I'm sure he'll find it later.
I walked the rest of the way home and stretched and cooled down for about 15 minutes. I was still dripping with sweat as I went into the house. I looked at the clock and I had been out for an hour and 35 minutes - my longest yet.
I did get out of bed at 4.45 am and got dressed as the International Space Station was coming over at 5.59 am. The sky was clear and I went out to capture it on video. However, just as it was due to appear, thin clouds started to appear and the moon started to disappear. I tried my best, but as you can see from below I failed again.
My attempt to video International Space Station
Wednesday 13 September 2017. It's bingo night again for my mother, so I need to get out earlier if I want to get a run in. Also, she likes to have sweet n sour chicken after the bingo. I cooked the meal, then got ready to set off. So far, this week, I had only ran on Sunday, but that 6 miles overall and my best to date.
By 6 pm I had showered and changed and was walking towards The Glen. I was armed with an apple for the horse, the rain had stopped and the sun had come out. The horse wasn't to be seen - he must have been over the other side of the old railway embankment. I left the apple by the gate and walked on. When I had passed, what was left of the old railway bridge, I looked along the other side of the embankment and there was the horse, in the distance with his hind quarter pointing at me and happily eating grass.
I walked on and, as usual, jogged into The Glen and down to the footbridge over the river. Like the previous Wednesday, there were a big group of teenage girls jogging around. Most were in front of me and a few behind me. As I turned to climb up to the top path those behind me took a short-cut and overtook me.
The girls overtook me by scrambling up here and cutting out the gentle climb and hairpin corner
As usual, the first lap felt hard, but I knew they would get easier as I went on. As usual, in the back of my mind I wanted to run for at least 20 minutes, and as usual, that meant at least three laps. However, as I had a great day on Sunday, I was hoping for something special this evening. In my subconscious I was really hoping to continue for 10 km tonight.
Trying to chase the girls on the first lap was fun, but I took it easy and they did stay well ahead of me. The second lap also seemed quite tough and by now the girls had gone along the river path - I was keeping to the two higher paths as they were less slippery and I know one lap is a kilometre. On my third lap I passed all the girls, on the long flat path after the reservoir, coming from the opposite direction. The girls at the back were starting to struggle and some were walking. I encouraged them to keep going, and fair enough, all started to run again.
As I passed through the car park on my fourth lap all the girls and their minders (all women) were standing next to the footbridge from the car park. There must have been 20 in total. It's so lovely to see all these young girls out training for their next Gaelic Football or Camogie match. The woman in charge of them had to say "make a gap to let that man past" - that was me.
The footbridge from the car park
50 yards after passing over the footbridge from the car park, I could hear the footsteps of the young girls chasing me. After I turned the sharp corner and climbed up to the old reservoir I could see, from below, I was being hunted down by a large group of teenage girls. At the top of the climb, I run the longer path around the reservoir, as I looked across I could see the girls turning left and taking the shorter route. Soon I was back on the same path as them. Most were in front of me, but a handful were behind me. I did speed up to stay in the gap. What was going through my mind was from over 20 years ago. Around that time, I was very fit, I had ran in road races in England for a few years without being beaten by a female. In my state of current fitness it may have been the wrong thing to think about and I was just waiting to see how soon the others would pass me.
As I ran over the sluice footbridge the girls in front of me were pulling away and I passed my old school mate walking his dog. I said hello and that I had some company tonight for my jog. He just laughed and said they're a lot younger than you.
I managed to finish the lap in the same position I had joined the group, and I was pleased with myself. As I turned over the river and started to climb up to the top path, the girls behind me took a short cut again and overtook me. I had no intention of catching up on them as I had a goal tonight. I still believed I may be able to run a full 10 km without stopping and racing is not on the agenda.
As I reached the car park, the young girls had all gathered, with their minders, around the footbridge. They saw me coming down towards them and mad a gap for me to run past. I said hello to them all. I also said hello to my mate with the dog, who was nearby. I could hear the girls' manager (I assume) as she was saying "you all need to turn up to the match at the weekend". In my mind I was almost half way to 10 km.
After the steep climb up to the old reservoir I felt tired, but as always I try and push on after the top. It only takes about 50 yards to feel OK again and as I ran along the flat path, to complete the lap, I realised I was feeling good and was travelling well.
The path around the old reservoir
My sixth lap felt good and I had settled down into a steady pace. By the time I reached the car park again all the girls had gone. On the steep climb I felt like I was skating up the hill. This would continue as the laps went on.
As I finished the lap I could see two other teenage girls, in front of me, walking towards the waterfall. They each had a carrier bag in their hand and I wondered if it was the same two I had come across a few days ago who I said hello to and had left their chicken sandwich rappers behind them for me to pick up the next day - I didn't mind as I just love to see people enjoying this lovely space.
On my seventh lap a passed my mate with the dog again, I also passed a few other dog walkers. All were pleasant and the dogs well-behaved. I was really enjoying the challenge and was starting to believe I could go all the way to ten laps. My feet weren't feeling sore and I felt great. Well, I felt OK.
Instead of counting the laps, I started to count down until the time I would start the tenth. However, as I have always said, if at any point my body tells me to stop, then I'll listen to it. As the laps continued I was feeling more relaxed and happier in myself.
I had drank very little alcohol in the last two days and I knew this was my best opportunity yet to hit that satisfying goal of 10 km. The sun was still in the sky, the river was higher than ever and I could hear it flow from almost all points I ran through. The only time I couldn't was on the way around the old reservoir.
On my eight and ninth lap I was still passing the odd dog-walker and I was still enjoying running on such a beautiful evening. The four or five puddles on the upper path always got me as I plodded through them, and I've never seen a puddle up here - thanks Storm Aileen! Puddles never bothered me in the past and they still won't.
The strange thing about starting my tenth lap, was I was so focused on the path in front of me. I was worrying if my legs could take it and I was worrying about the light. I was concentrating harder as I didn't want to trip over a fallen branch or even a have a twig take me by surprise. It hasn't been that long since I badly sprained my ankle and I just wanted to do this. It was something I thought I might never achieve again. To me, being able to run 10 km is something that make you feel like you are a runner again. Funnily enough I did concentrate on my footing during the whole run, but on my tenth lap I was just totally focused. I was just so focused, but as I reached the top of the climb, I started to think if the bull and cattle were anywhere close to the fence. I looked back over my shoulder and lo and behold most were right up against the fence looking at me. Maybe, they were cheering me on, but as I had just passed them, I wasn't that worried.
I still felt great and I did speed up on the descent to the car park. I probably ran faster up the steep hill to the old reservoir than I ever had and I stretched out along the flat path. As I reached the junction of paths, straight on towards the waterfall or left to start another lap, I decided to turn left and over the river to add a few extra yards. I did think twice about an eleventh lap, but I didn't know the time and I didn't want to push myself too far. I had achieved something I have not done in 17 years and extra. There are other days and my mother is relying on me to take her to the bingo. I did feel as if I could just keep going.
As I climbed up the path the cattle were there to greet me. I decided to just add an extra 200 m. So I ran 100 and came back on myself and then ran to the waterfall. As I stopped I roared out, not in pain, in satisfaction. My roar attracted the attention of the cattle and within a minute they were just across the river, in the field and by the waterfall.
With all the rain we have had the river was flowing well and the sound of the water going over the waterfall was very loud. As for the two teenage girls, I saw going in this direction earlier, they were nowhere to be seen, and thankfully left no litter behind them.
The waterfall in full flow
As I still felt good, maybe from having achieved a huge goal tonight, I didn't stretch for long. I thought about another lap, but decided I just jog along the flat path, in the direction of the reservoir. I kept the pace slow, but went all the way to the reservoir, around it and back to the exit footbridge.
I climbed the steep path to exit The Glen and continued to climb to the road junction. I turned left along the pavement towards home. I was counting the steps and, with going back on myself from the old rail bridge and back again, I made it up to 1.55 km. So total jogging tonight was 10.5 km and 1.55 km (or 7.5 miles) - that to me is amazing. It's been hard work, but in just over 22 weeks I have gone from not being fit enough to run to this. I also walked almost a mile today/
As I passed the gate, to the horse's field, I picked up both halves of the apple I had left there earlier. He was nowhere to be seen as I continued along the pavement. On reaching the end of the field I threw it into the place he often eats as I pass. I'm sure he'll find it later.
I walked the rest of the way home and stretched and cooled down for about 15 minutes. I was still dripping with sweat as I went into the house. I looked at the clock and I had been out for an hour and 35 minutes - my longest yet.
At the bingo there was no win for my mother, sister or I. However, one woman sitting with us won five times.
Thursday 14 September 2017. I spent most of the day in Armagh City. It rained a little, but most of the time it was sunny and warm. I did walk a lot around the city today and deliberately walked moist of the length of the place and back. For such a small city it only takes about 20 minutes to walk from one end to the other. I also went into the local library looking for old newspapers and some history of the area. However, most of that was stored in two other old libraries and the local museums.
I got home at 4 pm, cooked a meal for my parents, then prepared to go for a run. It was raining again, but when I set off at 6.05 pm the rain had stopped. As I walked past the horse's field, he was just 50 yards away and I only needed to say "horse" once and within a few seconds he had his head up looking for the apple. You can see, from an earlier video below, how much he enjoys his apples.
Thursday 14 September 2017. I spent most of the day in Armagh City. It rained a little, but most of the time it was sunny and warm. I did walk a lot around the city today and deliberately walked moist of the length of the place and back. For such a small city it only takes about 20 minutes to walk from one end to the other. I also went into the local library looking for old newspapers and some history of the area. However, most of that was stored in two other old libraries and the local museums.
I got home at 4 pm, cooked a meal for my parents, then prepared to go for a run. It was raining again, but when I set off at 6.05 pm the rain had stopped. As I walked past the horse's field, he was just 50 yards away and I only needed to say "horse" once and within a few seconds he had his head up looking for the apple. You can see, from an earlier video below, how much he enjoys his apples.
My friend "Horse" loves apples
I jogged down into The Glen and started on my laps. A man grabbed his dog to let me past. I respect the fact I had a long run last night and wasn't expecting so much tonight. As I climbed up the top path my legs did feel weary, but as usual I wanted to run for at least 20 minutes and was hoping to run five laps. However, as usual, I would just take it by ear and listen to what my body was telling me.
I passed the man with the dog a few times and another man with a dog a couple of times. There was also a tall, blond woman jogging. We said hello a couple of times, she wasn't moving much faster than walking pace, but good on her.
On the third lap my legs felt really tired and at one point they tried to stop, and at one point did. I felt like speaking to them but inside I felt OK and I forced them to start working. I was also sweating as it was humid and it was raining. The rain was also reaching me through the trees and the mixture of sweat and water droplets were making me have to use my t-shirt a lot more than usual to keep the water out of my eyes.
On starting the fourth lap, I was just saying to myself "only one more after this". The thought made me feel more relaxed, and by the time I started the fifth I felt better. My legs were still weak, but the rest of me was feeling good. After climbing to the top of the highest path I could feel myself start to run slightly faster. I trotted down and through the car park and skated up the steep hill to the old reservoir. After rounding the reservoir and crossing over the sluice footbridge I knew I had just over 300 yards to go, so I made a conscious effort to speed up - when I say "speed up" I just mean going from jogging to jogging a tiny bit quicker.
In my mind tonight, there was no way I would even think of doing an extra part of, or extra lap. I was just focused to getting to that waterfall. As I passed the exit footbridge I even made myself go faster, and by the time I got to the waterfall I continued as far as I could without falling into the river. I was pleased with myself that I had done what I wanted to tonight.
As soon as I started stretching, by the waterfall, I could see the river was clearer and there was less water going over the waterfall. I did notice earlier that the river was not so high as I passed over the two footbridges. We did have quite a bit of rain today, but not anywhere as much as we had over the previous two days. Hence the lower water level was not taking in soil from the surrounding fields, thus meaning clearer water.
I finished my run by jogging to and over the exit bridge. I climbed out of The Glen and all the way up to the road junction, then along the pavement towards home. My feet felt OK. The horse looked sad as I passed, but he had had his treat for the day.
I was counting the steps and I really wanted to get it up to four miles for the run. I decided to run up the black path a bit, but like always I kept going all the way to the top. I did stop as soon as I reached the bottom again. Somewhere along the way I lost count and am not sure whether this was a 1.6 km, 1.7 km or 1.8 km interval I'll split the difference and call it 1.7.
Overall tonight I jogged 5.3 km, then 1.7 km making a total of 7 km (or 4.3 miles). Between today, in Armagh, and tonight I walked about 2.5 miles. Another good day, but it felt harder than yesterday.
I arrived home and changed in time to prepare for my mother's friends arriving tonight. I put my mother's diner out, opened the wine, got the crisps out and put some cheese on a few biscuits. Her friend arrived, but her sister didn't - I know she wasn't feeling great at the bingo last night.
It was a good evening. I just try to act as butler and help keep the conversation going. I had to tonight as my mother doesn't drink, but had a third of a glass of wine tonight, she kept dozing off afterwards.
As I write this up now I am feeling tired, my legs are feeling alright. Overall, I am tired as I only slept for just over two hours last night. I was worried I might not feel good enough to go for a run tonight, but I managed it and I enjoyed it. Although I know I still have a long way to go in "My Long Run back to Fitness", I am feeling a lot better in myself. It's so visible to me that my arms and legs have got rid of most of their excess fat, my face looks smaller and younger, my belt has come in three notch holes and most of my double chin has gone. I just don't know from where I'm going to loose the other 4 stone I want to, but that is my target. It's been hard work to get this far, but the harder I continue to work the more I enjoy it and the better I feel in myself.
If you have read my blog up to now, you will know I have not exercised for over a decade and a half. I weighed 17.5 stone at an assessment for an operation on 14 February 2017. It was for a hernia operation, but I was told to loose weight. I was worried I was so much overweight, I was worried I might not be able to do physical exercise with my condition and I was worried about some of the things the consultant, at the hospital, told me about my weight. Like others in my situation I just thought about it for a few weeks, but eventually I decided to do something about it, and I did. Most people can walk and I was one of those lucky ones who could. I just started to put one foot in front of another and took it from there. Soon I was jogging a few yards downhill in a local park. As the weeks went on, those few jogs became longer, but still all downhill. I kept walking between the short jogs and stayed determined to keep this going. Such a small effort started to pay off. I just knew if I was to get a better and happier life I had to keep going. I knew any major relapse and I'd be back to square one. I like a beer and a smoke, and I still do, but I have cut down a bit on drinking and a lot on smoking. Though, I'm not trying to encouraging unfit people, like me, to start drinking and smoking.
As the weeks went on I worked hard. I would go out most evenings and I was lucky to not have rain most times. Each time I would try and do a bit extra, but if my body didn't want to, I would just do what was comfortable. There were some pitfalls, these were injuries and sometimes not feeling well. I just rested and as soon as I felt good enough again I would start again. It's so easy to let any excuse make you stop, but I never went there. Back in training my jogging would increase, still all downhill, but with the walking it paid dividends.
I choose not to weigh myself, but I knew from my clothes that I was loosing weight. I just didn't want to disappoint myself. I know that to loose weight is difficult and takes time.
It took many weeks before I could run half a lap (that's 500 m) and many weeks more before I could run (OK jog slowly) three quarters of a lap. I was still walking up the hills. Sometimes I felt useless at not being able to run a full 1 km lap or jog up the hills. Yet, I knew I was doing something for myself (and my family) and I appreciated this would take time and patience. Eventually, after what seemed like an age I managed to jog a whole 1 km lap, I could even jog up the hills. It was a turning point. A couple of weeks later I could manage three laps jogging. It kept getting better. I couldn't believe that without changing drinking or eating habits I could go this far.
I'm now into my 23 week of this Long Run Back to Fitness, most of the start was walking, now I'm running (still very slowly, well jogging). I still go for walks, but it's now mostly jogs. I've lost three stone weight and this week I ran over 10 km, non-stop, for the first time in 17 years.
I don't do much running on pavements or roads, I just run in a local glen where the paths are softer underfoot. I know such places make fat guys like me less prone to injury. I also respect where I walk and where I run . Some days I may had had a few too many beers in the pub or a few too many glasses of win at home. Yet most days I make an effort to get my legs going. Once or twice a week I'll go for a walk all around the footpaths in The Glen and I'll take videos or photos for this blog, but I'll also take a bin bag with me and collect all the litter I see. It's satisfying, I don't get paid for it, but the next time I go for a jog it's a more enjoyable place to be. To me it has given so much and I just enjoy giving a little bit back.
I now love my time here, should it be walking or running. It just depends, on the day, which I choose to do. There is no other place locally where I can get out and do the same thing. OK, some people do abuse it and litter it, but hopefully some of those will start appreciating it more without the litter.
As for my fitness regime, I will work really hard to keep this going. I've had two minor injury setbacks already, but that has not stopped me. I have no speed targets when it comes to running, I don't even wear a watch. However, I do have a target of loosing another four stone within the next year and taking a team to an event I set up in 1995 and managed for 18 years. I may not achieve it, but at least I'll try. If you are overweight and want to loose some, just put one foot in front of the other as a start and take it from there.
Friday 15 September 2017. I had a late night and have had two good workouts over the previous two days. There is also an extra bingo tonight to raise money for the local school as its funds has been cut. It's a very good High School and two years ago won the award for the best school in the UK. It also reached the final round for best school this year. Anyway, it starts at 7 pm, my mother wants to go and I need to be back and prepared by 6.30 pm.
I decided to just go for a walk tonight, but I didn't set off until 5.40 pm. It was going to be a quick walk to and around The Glen. If the horse was in the field he could also have an apple as I passed. He was in the field, and from the video below, you can see he was a bit lazy today.
As I walked on towards The Glen there were still puddles on the road and the pavement from the rain of the last three days. I walked into The Glen and as I went down the path my stick, to help me get to litter, was still sitting in the same place I left it, so I took it with me.
As I walked over the entrance footbridge a middle-aged couple walked swiftly past me. They were dressed in soft track suits and seemed to be on a fitness mission. They would pass me a few times more later. I first walked to the waterfall, where a teenage couple were enjoying each other's company on the bench. I just said hello and was quickly on my way so as not to disturb them. I soon turned right over the river footbridge, in the middle of The Glen, then left along the river path.
I was walking quite fast so as to get back in time to take my mother to the bingo. Luckily there was very little litter to collect. However, I wasn't going out of my way to find extra, I was just collecting anything visible from the paths. By the time I had reached the car park, I had just collected a few sweet wrappers. However, in the far corner of the car park was a large box and a duvet lying next to it. Apart from the lorry tyres that were dumped here a few weeks ago, the is the only other bit of fly-tipping I have seen here in the last two years. The box was full of cardboard. What I didn't understand is all of this is recyclable and the local recycle centre is just across the road. It would have been as easy to take it there. I just took a photo and left it there. Hopefully, when the garbage wagon comes to empty the litter bin, they'll also collect this.
I passed the man with the dog a few times and another man with a dog a couple of times. There was also a tall, blond woman jogging. We said hello a couple of times, she wasn't moving much faster than walking pace, but good on her.
On the third lap my legs felt really tired and at one point they tried to stop, and at one point did. I felt like speaking to them but inside I felt OK and I forced them to start working. I was also sweating as it was humid and it was raining. The rain was also reaching me through the trees and the mixture of sweat and water droplets were making me have to use my t-shirt a lot more than usual to keep the water out of my eyes.
On starting the fourth lap, I was just saying to myself "only one more after this". The thought made me feel more relaxed, and by the time I started the fifth I felt better. My legs were still weak, but the rest of me was feeling good. After climbing to the top of the highest path I could feel myself start to run slightly faster. I trotted down and through the car park and skated up the steep hill to the old reservoir. After rounding the reservoir and crossing over the sluice footbridge I knew I had just over 300 yards to go, so I made a conscious effort to speed up - when I say "speed up" I just mean going from jogging to jogging a tiny bit quicker.
In my mind tonight, there was no way I would even think of doing an extra part of, or extra lap. I was just focused to getting to that waterfall. As I passed the exit footbridge I even made myself go faster, and by the time I got to the waterfall I continued as far as I could without falling into the river. I was pleased with myself that I had done what I wanted to tonight.
As soon as I started stretching, by the waterfall, I could see the river was clearer and there was less water going over the waterfall. I did notice earlier that the river was not so high as I passed over the two footbridges. We did have quite a bit of rain today, but not anywhere as much as we had over the previous two days. Hence the lower water level was not taking in soil from the surrounding fields, thus meaning clearer water.
I finished my run by jogging to and over the exit bridge. I climbed out of The Glen and all the way up to the road junction, then along the pavement towards home. My feet felt OK. The horse looked sad as I passed, but he had had his treat for the day.
I was counting the steps and I really wanted to get it up to four miles for the run. I decided to run up the black path a bit, but like always I kept going all the way to the top. I did stop as soon as I reached the bottom again. Somewhere along the way I lost count and am not sure whether this was a 1.6 km, 1.7 km or 1.8 km interval I'll split the difference and call it 1.7.
Overall tonight I jogged 5.3 km, then 1.7 km making a total of 7 km (or 4.3 miles). Between today, in Armagh, and tonight I walked about 2.5 miles. Another good day, but it felt harder than yesterday.
I arrived home and changed in time to prepare for my mother's friends arriving tonight. I put my mother's diner out, opened the wine, got the crisps out and put some cheese on a few biscuits. Her friend arrived, but her sister didn't - I know she wasn't feeling great at the bingo last night.
It was a good evening. I just try to act as butler and help keep the conversation going. I had to tonight as my mother doesn't drink, but had a third of a glass of wine tonight, she kept dozing off afterwards.
As I write this up now I am feeling tired, my legs are feeling alright. Overall, I am tired as I only slept for just over two hours last night. I was worried I might not feel good enough to go for a run tonight, but I managed it and I enjoyed it. Although I know I still have a long way to go in "My Long Run back to Fitness", I am feeling a lot better in myself. It's so visible to me that my arms and legs have got rid of most of their excess fat, my face looks smaller and younger, my belt has come in three notch holes and most of my double chin has gone. I just don't know from where I'm going to loose the other 4 stone I want to, but that is my target. It's been hard work to get this far, but the harder I continue to work the more I enjoy it and the better I feel in myself.
If you have read my blog up to now, you will know I have not exercised for over a decade and a half. I weighed 17.5 stone at an assessment for an operation on 14 February 2017. It was for a hernia operation, but I was told to loose weight. I was worried I was so much overweight, I was worried I might not be able to do physical exercise with my condition and I was worried about some of the things the consultant, at the hospital, told me about my weight. Like others in my situation I just thought about it for a few weeks, but eventually I decided to do something about it, and I did. Most people can walk and I was one of those lucky ones who could. I just started to put one foot in front of another and took it from there. Soon I was jogging a few yards downhill in a local park. As the weeks went on, those few jogs became longer, but still all downhill. I kept walking between the short jogs and stayed determined to keep this going. Such a small effort started to pay off. I just knew if I was to get a better and happier life I had to keep going. I knew any major relapse and I'd be back to square one. I like a beer and a smoke, and I still do, but I have cut down a bit on drinking and a lot on smoking. Though, I'm not trying to encouraging unfit people, like me, to start drinking and smoking.
As the weeks went on I worked hard. I would go out most evenings and I was lucky to not have rain most times. Each time I would try and do a bit extra, but if my body didn't want to, I would just do what was comfortable. There were some pitfalls, these were injuries and sometimes not feeling well. I just rested and as soon as I felt good enough again I would start again. It's so easy to let any excuse make you stop, but I never went there. Back in training my jogging would increase, still all downhill, but with the walking it paid dividends.
I choose not to weigh myself, but I knew from my clothes that I was loosing weight. I just didn't want to disappoint myself. I know that to loose weight is difficult and takes time.
It took many weeks before I could run half a lap (that's 500 m) and many weeks more before I could run (OK jog slowly) three quarters of a lap. I was still walking up the hills. Sometimes I felt useless at not being able to run a full 1 km lap or jog up the hills. Yet, I knew I was doing something for myself (and my family) and I appreciated this would take time and patience. Eventually, after what seemed like an age I managed to jog a whole 1 km lap, I could even jog up the hills. It was a turning point. A couple of weeks later I could manage three laps jogging. It kept getting better. I couldn't believe that without changing drinking or eating habits I could go this far.
I'm now into my 23 week of this Long Run Back to Fitness, most of the start was walking, now I'm running (still very slowly, well jogging). I still go for walks, but it's now mostly jogs. I've lost three stone weight and this week I ran over 10 km, non-stop, for the first time in 17 years.
I don't do much running on pavements or roads, I just run in a local glen where the paths are softer underfoot. I know such places make fat guys like me less prone to injury. I also respect where I walk and where I run . Some days I may had had a few too many beers in the pub or a few too many glasses of win at home. Yet most days I make an effort to get my legs going. Once or twice a week I'll go for a walk all around the footpaths in The Glen and I'll take videos or photos for this blog, but I'll also take a bin bag with me and collect all the litter I see. It's satisfying, I don't get paid for it, but the next time I go for a jog it's a more enjoyable place to be. To me it has given so much and I just enjoy giving a little bit back.
I now love my time here, should it be walking or running. It just depends, on the day, which I choose to do. There is no other place locally where I can get out and do the same thing. OK, some people do abuse it and litter it, but hopefully some of those will start appreciating it more without the litter.
As for my fitness regime, I will work really hard to keep this going. I've had two minor injury setbacks already, but that has not stopped me. I have no speed targets when it comes to running, I don't even wear a watch. However, I do have a target of loosing another four stone within the next year and taking a team to an event I set up in 1995 and managed for 18 years. I may not achieve it, but at least I'll try. If you are overweight and want to loose some, just put one foot in front of the other as a start and take it from there.
Friday 15 September 2017. I had a late night and have had two good workouts over the previous two days. There is also an extra bingo tonight to raise money for the local school as its funds has been cut. It's a very good High School and two years ago won the award for the best school in the UK. It also reached the final round for best school this year. Anyway, it starts at 7 pm, my mother wants to go and I need to be back and prepared by 6.30 pm.
I decided to just go for a walk tonight, but I didn't set off until 5.40 pm. It was going to be a quick walk to and around The Glen. If the horse was in the field he could also have an apple as I passed. He was in the field, and from the video below, you can see he was a bit lazy today.
Lazy horse goes to gate to get apple
As I walked on towards The Glen there were still puddles on the road and the pavement from the rain of the last three days. I walked into The Glen and as I went down the path my stick, to help me get to litter, was still sitting in the same place I left it, so I took it with me.
My stick for collecting litter
As I walked over the entrance footbridge a middle-aged couple walked swiftly past me. They were dressed in soft track suits and seemed to be on a fitness mission. They would pass me a few times more later. I first walked to the waterfall, where a teenage couple were enjoying each other's company on the bench. I just said hello and was quickly on my way so as not to disturb them. I soon turned right over the river footbridge, in the middle of The Glen, then left along the river path.
Footbridge over river in The Glen
I was walking quite fast so as to get back in time to take my mother to the bingo. Luckily there was very little litter to collect. However, I wasn't going out of my way to find extra, I was just collecting anything visible from the paths. By the time I had reached the car park, I had just collected a few sweet wrappers. However, in the far corner of the car park was a large box and a duvet lying next to it. Apart from the lorry tyres that were dumped here a few weeks ago, the is the only other bit of fly-tipping I have seen here in the last two years. The box was full of cardboard. What I didn't understand is all of this is recyclable and the local recycle centre is just across the road. It would have been as easy to take it there. I just took a photo and left it there. Hopefully, when the garbage wagon comes to empty the litter bin, they'll also collect this.
Lazy fly-tipping
I did pick up a few small pieces of litter from the car park, but apart from the box and the duvet it was mainly clean. The last piece of litter I was going to pick up made me think twice, when I realised what it was. My first though was, someone had been having a good time in a car here last night, and I'm not going to use my hand or stick to pick up a used condom.
Someone had a good night, but I didn't pick up the used condom
I checked the area where the two benches overlook the car park and to my amazement there was no litter. I crossed over the footbridge, from the car park, and as I did I had a look at the river to see if it was still as full as it had been. However, the water level was still going down, it looked clear, and with the sun out it looked beautiful with the trees in the background.
River from footbridge beside car park
I climbed up the steep hill to the old reservoir and around it. I passed the power-walking couple for the final time, I said hello for the fourth time. I noticed they were wearing similar walking outfits, but her's was pin and his was blue, it put a smile on my face. Happily, I didn't see another piece of litter on my way through, or climbing up out of The Glen. I got back home at 6,35 pm and my mother was all dressed up to go to her bingo.
They're were between 250 and 300 people at the bingo. When I was told that it was to raise some of the funds that had been cut by the government, from the local high school, I wasn't that happy. At least 95% of those there were women and children. I joked to my aunt that the pubs must be full of men tonight. She won £20, but my mother and I came away with empty pockets.
As for my walk today, I was out for 45 minutes and probably covered just over 2 miles. However, to me every step counts, I love the country air and satisfaction I got my legs, and body, moving again.
I stayed up late to watch a rugby match, that had been on earlier, on BBC iPlayer. It was worth waiting for as it was such a great game. Ulster beat Scarlets 27 - 20 in a game that swung both ways.
Saturday 16 September 2017. Again it rained for most of the day. I set off at 6.30 pm. The horse was no where to be seen, so I left the apple at the gate to the field. It was still drizzling, but it wasn't unpleasant. I started jogging about 150 yards before reaching The Glen. I didn't see anyone until I got to the car park on my first lap. Two teenage girls and a teenage boy were talking in what sounded like an Eastern European language. They were sheltering under the trees and had a small, angry sounding dog on a lead, I passed them again later on the long straight path and again as they left The Glen.
On my third and fourth lap there were three young lads playing football next to their car in the car park. I thought it a bit strange as it was still raining gently. After my fourth lap I continued straight on to the waterfall and stopped for about 30 seconds. On the last two laps I felt I was going a bit faster than usual and deliberately sped up for the last 300 yards to the waterfall. I finished by jogging over the exit bridge, climbing out of The Glen and along the road to the gate of the field. The horse was on top of the embankment, looking down at me. I picked up the apple and he started to move in my direction. I kept shouting slowly at him as I didn't want him to injure himself running down the steep hill. He must have understood as he zig zagged slowly down. It didn't take very long for him to make the apple disappear. On getting home I went in immediately, grabbed a carrier bag and my wallet and headed straight for the local shop.
Overall, it was a decent workout to finish the week. I jogged 5.2 km (3.2 miles) and walked 1.5 miles. It brings my totals for the week to 21 miles jogging and 10.5 miles walking. Thus 31.5 miles in total.
I stayed up late to watch a rugby match, that had been on earlier, on BBC iPlayer. It was worth waiting for as it was such a great game. Ulster beat Scarlets 27 - 20 in a game that swung both ways.
Saturday 16 September 2017. Again it rained for most of the day. I set off at 6.30 pm. The horse was no where to be seen, so I left the apple at the gate to the field. It was still drizzling, but it wasn't unpleasant. I started jogging about 150 yards before reaching The Glen. I didn't see anyone until I got to the car park on my first lap. Two teenage girls and a teenage boy were talking in what sounded like an Eastern European language. They were sheltering under the trees and had a small, angry sounding dog on a lead, I passed them again later on the long straight path and again as they left The Glen.
On my third and fourth lap there were three young lads playing football next to their car in the car park. I thought it a bit strange as it was still raining gently. After my fourth lap I continued straight on to the waterfall and stopped for about 30 seconds. On the last two laps I felt I was going a bit faster than usual and deliberately sped up for the last 300 yards to the waterfall. I finished by jogging over the exit bridge, climbing out of The Glen and along the road to the gate of the field. The horse was on top of the embankment, looking down at me. I picked up the apple and he started to move in my direction. I kept shouting slowly at him as I didn't want him to injure himself running down the steep hill. He must have understood as he zig zagged slowly down. It didn't take very long for him to make the apple disappear. On getting home I went in immediately, grabbed a carrier bag and my wallet and headed straight for the local shop.
Overall, it was a decent workout to finish the week. I jogged 5.2 km (3.2 miles) and walked 1.5 miles. It brings my totals for the week to 21 miles jogging and 10.5 miles walking. Thus 31.5 miles in total.
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