Not a walk, but my first fun run. 5K around the roads and woods of Yorkshire.
My intention had been to walk the course, but that proved impossible since it was not a well defined route so I had to jog with the crowd to know where to go.
Rather worryingly we began by running downhill for 10 minutes. We climbed over walls, through fences, ran along forest tracks, muddy and rocky, then got lost in a park but I didn’t have much spare concentration to admire my surroundings. I reckoned every 5 minutes was one eighth of the run done and spent too much time concentrating on my watch.
You might wonder how I got lost when in a group who know the area? Well after 20 minutes the group paused for the stragglers (#1 and #6 in picture above) to catch up. Even as we approached the waiting athletes, us still jogging, it was clear to me that a discussion had taken place, and there were now two groups, them and us.
We were to split into the 5K and the serious runners. The 5K team (#1 and #6) were given directions, which I must say were accurate but incomplete. Luckily a passing local sent us in the right direction.
Well, I suppose it’s an achievement, but why will it be my last run? Let W H Davies speak for me.
What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
Walking gives more time for this sort of thing.
As a Lancashire lad, it pains me to say it, but Yorkshire did look quite nice.
