Off the beaten path

I’ve been finding running the same routes three or four times a week a little repetitive. Don’t get me wrong – I am grateful for both the fact that I can run, and that I live in a beautiful part of the world. But yesterday, I felt the need for a little variety. Besides, my left hip was telling me it was time to get off the tarmac (and away from the worst of the hills) for a while.

So I decided to try some of the footpaths off one of my usual running routes. I regularly pass a tempting public footpath that trails off into a shady wooded area. Yesterday I decided to explore (having made sure that someone knew where I was going and for how long).

The first part of my run – on roads – was tough. Once again, I wished I’d got out before the day warmed up. But as soon as I turned off onto the footpath, I felt that wonderful, light-headed and light-hearted sense of freedom.

What I thought was woodland didn’t last long – and soon opened up into open fields. After about a mile, the path joined the coast path, which I’ve ran along before. I passed a couple of dog walkers, but for miles it felt like I had the entire coast to myself.

This was a very slow run – but it has to be one of my favourites.