I had such an amazing run yesterday. I was dithering about when to go and what to do first, but I made myself leave the house, leave the ironing and leave work NOW because it was sunny and the forecast was for rain later. I made myself go there and then and not put it off. I am so glad I did what I told myself to do and got my priorities right.
I set off planning a long run, trying to keep up my distance so my rule is, just enjoy. I go where I want, as fast or slow as I want and that gets me in the right mind set. I then just see what happens and where my legs take me. The tide was out and the wind coming from the sea but I decided to head along the beach. The beach here is so lovely. Beaches are great places for almost anything and everything. I love watching dogs and some like to come and say hello, some want to play, some are clearly scared by me, but me and dogs, we run for the sheer joy of it and the joy of being alive.
And then as I looked out to sea I saw the gannets diving right next to the shore. It was magic, what a treat to see them so close. Ali and I Love the Scottish Seabird Centre at North Berwick and have taken the boat out to the Bass Rock a couple of times to see the gannets close up. I can watch gannets diving all day, it is a most wonderful sight on many cliff and beach walks round here, but I have never seen them so close - feet away from me. They are beautiful birds with the most amazing lives. When they dive, they fold their wings like a missile and dive. It is some sight. Gannets
(You won't have noticed but I have just spent 15 minutes looking at gannet pics to decide which to pick, I went for this even tho they're not flying.)
I had to watch them, this was too special a sight to just run past. I had to slow down, then I had to run sideways and I even tried to run backwards (very slowly!) so I could keep watching them. I ran up to the top car park which has an amazing view of the Bass Rock where the gannets live; every step of that hill was worth it. At the top I could see for miles along the Firth of Forth. Brilliant white gannets and their black tipped wings were clearly visible diving, flying low, circling round, going about their work. The Bass Rock goes white there are so many gannets on it and you can see thousands of them circling round it.
By the time I got back to the beach, the gannets had moved further out, avoiding the canoes I think. But today I was running with the gannets and so I headed off towards Tantallon Castle so I could keep the Bass Rock and gannets in view, I hardly noticed the running, I was up there with the gannets. How perfect does life get - gannets, warm East Lothian sun and fresh air and woman's hour on the ipod. Does Jenni Murray know that she has run today!
But I couldn't run forever, and I had to head inland. As I turned off the road, in front of me was an enormous hare, looking at me. I could see it clocking me and deciding to shift sharpish, and I followed it up the track until it left me far behind. Another treat.
I just ran until I stopped enjoying it and I'd done 14 miles, my longest run ever. I was tired but exhilarated and uplifted. The gannets and the hare were totally unexpected treats. I never thought that I'd see so much wildlife and such great views when I took up running. I am amazed how each time I run something unexpected happens. A problem is solved, a tension eased, a new sight, a new insight. Yesterday was a very special run, one I will remember for ever, the day I ran with the gannets. And just think, I could have been ironing....
Take care
Sue
I set off planning a long run, trying to keep up my distance so my rule is, just enjoy. I go where I want, as fast or slow as I want and that gets me in the right mind set. I then just see what happens and where my legs take me. The tide was out and the wind coming from the sea but I decided to head along the beach. The beach here is so lovely. Beaches are great places for almost anything and everything. I love watching dogs and some like to come and say hello, some want to play, some are clearly scared by me, but me and dogs, we run for the sheer joy of it and the joy of being alive.
And then as I looked out to sea I saw the gannets diving right next to the shore. It was magic, what a treat to see them so close. Ali and I Love the Scottish Seabird Centre at North Berwick and have taken the boat out to the Bass Rock a couple of times to see the gannets close up. I can watch gannets diving all day, it is a most wonderful sight on many cliff and beach walks round here, but I have never seen them so close - feet away from me. They are beautiful birds with the most amazing lives. When they dive, they fold their wings like a missile and dive. It is some sight. Gannets
I had to watch them, this was too special a sight to just run past. I had to slow down, then I had to run sideways and I even tried to run backwards (very slowly!) so I could keep watching them. I ran up to the top car park which has an amazing view of the Bass Rock where the gannets live; every step of that hill was worth it. At the top I could see for miles along the Firth of Forth. Brilliant white gannets and their black tipped wings were clearly visible diving, flying low, circling round, going about their work. The Bass Rock goes white there are so many gannets on it and you can see thousands of them circling round it.
By the time I got back to the beach, the gannets had moved further out, avoiding the canoes I think. But today I was running with the gannets and so I headed off towards Tantallon Castle so I could keep the Bass Rock and gannets in view, I hardly noticed the running, I was up there with the gannets. How perfect does life get - gannets, warm East Lothian sun and fresh air and woman's hour on the ipod. Does Jenni Murray know that she has run today!
But I couldn't run forever, and I had to head inland. As I turned off the road, in front of me was an enormous hare, looking at me. I could see it clocking me and deciding to shift sharpish, and I followed it up the track until it left me far behind. Another treat.
I just ran until I stopped enjoying it and I'd done 14 miles, my longest run ever. I was tired but exhilarated and uplifted. The gannets and the hare were totally unexpected treats. I never thought that I'd see so much wildlife and such great views when I took up running. I am amazed how each time I run something unexpected happens. A problem is solved, a tension eased, a new sight, a new insight. Yesterday was a very special run, one I will remember for ever, the day I ran with the gannets. And just think, I could have been ironing....
Take care
Sue
No comments:
Post a Comment