diff --git a/content/blog/2024-12-01-runnotes.md b/content/blog/2024-12-01-runnotes.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1275651 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/blog/2024-12-01-runnotes.md @@ -0,0 +1,45 @@ +Title: 25th November-1st December Run notes + +## Monday + +A walk to start the week and the last vestiges of Storm Burt whip about everywhere as I descend towards Dolphin Beck. +I welcome the shelter of the trees from the cold wind on an otherwise fair day. The beck is fat from all the rain and water +gurgles along to the final drain. + +## Tuesday + +Another fair morning and not too frosty around York. I keep my gloves on and catch Knavesmire in the sunshine with mist rolling +over the fields. The river is very full and you can see the places where its spilled over onto the path, hopefully +the country can dry up a bit this week. It feels like all the runners and cyclists of York are out along the riverside this +morning and their company adds a more frantic note to my little loop to start the day. + +## Thursday + +A cold and frosty morning but a beautiful clear sky. I feel my niggle for the first 10 minutes, but it's a day to do some +speed work and once I start it all goes away. I come through the Greenway and pass two women walking their bulldogs, as +I go past the two bulldogs plant themselves on the floor, clearly objecting to the whole idea of a walk in the cold. There +collective protest causes us all to share a laugh as I trundle past and the owners give their leads an encouraging tug. +I don't share the bulldogs despondency and the speed sections feel great, the tingle of a run without thinking about +my injury. + +## Friday + +Testing back-to-back run days. It's not as cold and the sky is a perfect winter red with a smattering of clouds. No despondent +bulldogs today and definitely a few more people out and about. I'm not totally satisfied with how the niggle feels but +it's not a showstopper. I probably take it all a bit too fast for the sort of run it should be and realise a little late. +On the final section climbing back home I'm trying to take it easier when I should have done that earlier. Getting back to +back-to-backs is going to take a little work. + +## Sunday + +I sketch a new route for the long run and plot my way to [Skelton lake](https://discoverleeds.co.uk/things-to-see-and-do/outdoors/skelton-country-park/). +I suit up because its raining and within 20 minutes the rain has stopped and the sun has rolled in, but nevermind because +everything is feeling pretty great about this run. As I join the Rothwell Greenway two other runners and I converge on the +same gate with perfect timing and coordination, no one drops their pace and we seamlessly ease one after another in or out. +I continue down the Greenway and follow the signs through Rothwell until reaching the country park. Before the descent +towards the canal I get a glimpse back to Leeds city centre all tall towers and chimneys. The canal is lovely and quiet +but for a swan and some dog walkers. I cross at Fishpond Lock and pass some water ladders between the canal and river Aire. +Eventually I find Skelton lake park but the bridleway is closed so spend a bit longer on the canal towpath before turning around. +I retrace my steps back through Rothwell and find the Greenway busier as people take advantage of the sun and the +mild temperatures. The hill back up to Middleton is a slog and a faff with lots of cars parked on the pavement as +people head to a nearby Sunday league game. The whole run was gorgeous and not even a whiff of the niggle!