- Miles:
- 1435 total / 323 in 2013
- Goal:
Get fitter & stronger (at 70!) Go on running, mountain walking & weight training all my life, & live past 100. Enjoy 5K Parkruns. Find new "real life" friends
Alexandra W. ran: Sunday - just in time...
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- 12 miles
- 02:46 time
- 13:53 pace
- 2144 calories
- details
Sunday - just in time to zap the zero! The part of this run I enjoyed most was walking in over Wigton Knowle. The bluebells were a dazzling dark lavender under the beech trees. Crossing the embankment for the first time, I found the swallows' frantic zizags equally dazzling. Returning an hour later, I was surprised to see none - they must have been on their way somewhere. However, the little flocks of young Duke of Edinburgh Award walkers kept on coming. How ill-equipped and ill-trained they looked, weighed down by huge rucsacs, often with additional kit falling off. Some in what looked like bedroom slippers, some in "proper" heavy leather walking boots that were probably giving them hell. Not one looked as if s/he was enjoying the experience, or would be keen to go walking again any time soon. Indeed, one group of very pretty girls was demanding to give up and be driven away by their harrassed teachers.
At 11.93 miles, I was debating with myself whether to stop at 12 or carry on, when violent cramp on the inside of my right thigh decided for me. I did wish I could round up to 12, but realistically was just glad when the agony abated to find I could walk slowly back towards my cached refreshments on Wigton Knowle.
Trudging along the busy A61 towards my bus stop I realised I was likely to miss my (half hourly) bus. Forgetting my recent cramp I sprinted and arrived with minutes to spare, my thigh just gently reminding me that it wasn't about to tolerate much more of that sort of thing. It was as if my leg knew the difference between running for the bus, which would save it as well as me 30 minutes of weary waiting, and the gratuitous running I usually inflict on it. I do hope cramp is not about to become a regular feature of my runs.
Sounds like all in all an enjoyable outing.
about 1 year ago • Like
Thanks, Ines. I t certainly beat hanging around in hospital for 10 hours!
about 1 year ago • Like
What a shame that so many young people are put off in this way. A light day sac, packed correctly...modern footwear...encouragement ...but no, here's another group who are unlikely ever to realise the joy of it.
about 1 year ago • Like • 1 person
Peter - yes, the D of E should be a culminating exciting challenge after many increasingly strenuous days out during which equipment would have been honed, not to mention muscles, feet & determination. And the kids should be doing it because they LONGED to.
about 1 year ago • Like
Great run, Alexandra! 12 miles surrounded by all that birds and flowers ... BTW: kids here are the same - they are physically active only on MUST
about 1 year ago • Like
Nice (near)12. Sorry to hear about the crampy leg. Obviously it's no surprise that I've never heard of it, but what's the Duke of Edinburgh Award Walkers story ?
about 1 year ago • Like
In the gym or outside, you always seem to find some interesting things to report on.
about 1 year ago • Like
Drago, thanks. @Randy, I just checked the D of E Award page and it's all much more complicated than I realised. The young persons I often encounter are having to walk, camp overnight, walk carrying their stuff and navigating for themselves, in groups obviously. Supervisors swoop down on them from time to time. I read that they are supposed to have some aim (photography, discovering ancient monuments, monitoring their own physiology etc) but the ones I see are simply trailing along, suffering and
12 months ago • Like
frequently stopping to rest. @Doug, thanks, it's SUCH a pleasure to be able to share these things.
12 months ago • Like