The runner's nod. It's the sharp dip of the chin, the acknowledgement as you pass another runner that says 'yes, I'm aware it's snowing and we're slipping and sliding about. I'm wet through too and I know we're both crazy but if we don't verbally acknowledge each we can pretend this isn't happening'. It's the running incidents, worries, questions and sentiments that only runners seem to understand.
Despite waking up to a white, snowy Yorkshire this morning I set off intending to do a 15 mile run as planned on my training programme. I had debated for a split second about what to do. It was snowing hard and the weather didn't look like it was going to get better anytime soon. I concluded that postponement was pointless as in all likelihood the weather would be worse by tomorrow. Either icy or too slushy to run.My friend who I was supposed to be running with had pulled out at 7.30am - too slippy and he's not training for a marathon so why risk it. But I am marathon training so with no other option, clad in high vis and Marathon Talk on the iPod for company, I headed off out.
It started badly. I could barely see from the snow as I trundled along the canal and my feet were wet through and squelching within minutes. I reckon the number of puddles I dodged around must have extended my mileage a bit. I made it up to Calverley, not a soul in sight and turned left towards the Clariant building onto Calverley Lane. Passed a few runners up here. Curt nod (I'm sure they weren't as wet as me) and I carried on up towards the ring road.
The ring road was a different story. Cars paying no mind to the inclement weather. I was struggling to hear the Ron Hill interview on my iPod. Considered turning up the volume but then reminded myself of the dangers of not being aware of my surroundings. The Chelsea tractors were out in force, apparently driving as fast and as close to the pavement as possible to ensure the lone runner was covered from head to toe in dirty slush.
Carried on down towards Lawnswood, which is uphill. How hadn't I noticed this before? It seemed that everyone was out for themselves this morning. I managed to slip and fall over at the Horsforth roundabout but quickly gathered my dignity and carried on.
Turned left at Lawnswood roundabout and carried on up towards Bramhope. Coincidentally, I did this run exactly a year ago with Julie and Lisa. It snowed that day too. At the time, we were all just experimenting with gels, and I remembered Lisa telling us it was time for one at around Adel. I duly had one of the foul tasting things, hoping it would see me up to the Fox and Hounds pub at Bramhope, where I planned to have another.
The Fox and Hounds, was, it turned out much further away than I remembered, and it was a bit dicey getting up there as the pavement started to disappear around Golden Acre Park and I found myself having to keep swapping sides of the road.
I finally spotted Church Hill, which took me up to the pub. And this is where I now know it went wrong. The moral of the story being, always check a map before you head out. I'd been relying totally on memory from a run that took place a year ago, where I'd probably spent much of the time chatting rather than watching where I was going. So, was it right or straight on after the pub? Right, it turned out.
I headed straight on. The pavement suddenly disappeared on both sides on the road. I started to panic. The cars were coming really fast and I couldn't see any pavement ahead. I carried on trying to run on the road but jumping onto a sloping verge every two minutes when a car came speeding by. I could imagine other runners being told the story of my inevitable downfall in the future, as a lesson in being prepared. There were no runners in sight. No one gave me the nod on this road.
I didn't remember any of this from last year.
Finally, and much to my relief, a pavement finally appeared as did a sign for Cookridge Lane. I knew I'd gone wrong somewhere but the thought of turning back onto the racing track was too much. I was cold, wet, tired and fraught. The world looks a really different place on a day like today.
So, I did something I'd never done before on a run. I rang James and begged him to come and pick me up. Meanwhile I sheltered in a local paper shop.You couldn't make it up...
Feeling really despondent and worried that I hadn't managed 15 miles (just 11), I recounted the story to Julie. I got the nod, 'dust yourself off and plan your next run'.
Where would we be without our running friends?
Carried on down towards Lawnswood, which is uphill. How hadn't I noticed this before? It seemed that everyone was out for themselves this morning. I managed to slip and fall over at the Horsforth roundabout but quickly gathered my dignity and carried on.
Turned left at Lawnswood roundabout and carried on up towards Bramhope. Coincidentally, I did this run exactly a year ago with Julie and Lisa. It snowed that day too. At the time, we were all just experimenting with gels, and I remembered Lisa telling us it was time for one at around Adel. I duly had one of the foul tasting things, hoping it would see me up to the Fox and Hounds pub at Bramhope, where I planned to have another.
The Fox and Hounds, was, it turned out much further away than I remembered, and it was a bit dicey getting up there as the pavement started to disappear around Golden Acre Park and I found myself having to keep swapping sides of the road.
I finally spotted Church Hill, which took me up to the pub. And this is where I now know it went wrong. The moral of the story being, always check a map before you head out. I'd been relying totally on memory from a run that took place a year ago, where I'd probably spent much of the time chatting rather than watching where I was going. So, was it right or straight on after the pub? Right, it turned out.
I headed straight on. The pavement suddenly disappeared on both sides on the road. I started to panic. The cars were coming really fast and I couldn't see any pavement ahead. I carried on trying to run on the road but jumping onto a sloping verge every two minutes when a car came speeding by. I could imagine other runners being told the story of my inevitable downfall in the future, as a lesson in being prepared. There were no runners in sight. No one gave me the nod on this road.
I didn't remember any of this from last year.
Finally, and much to my relief, a pavement finally appeared as did a sign for Cookridge Lane. I knew I'd gone wrong somewhere but the thought of turning back onto the racing track was too much. I was cold, wet, tired and fraught. The world looks a really different place on a day like today.
So, I did something I'd never done before on a run. I rang James and begged him to come and pick me up. Meanwhile I sheltered in a local paper shop.You couldn't make it up...
Feeling really despondent and worried that I hadn't managed 15 miles (just 11), I recounted the story to Julie. I got the nod, 'dust yourself off and plan your next run'.
 |
| Julie, me and Lisa Snow run 21 February 2010 |
No comments:
Post a Comment