Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Stop and feed the horses (and pick the blackberries)




Last year almost every run I ventured out on was accompanied by my pedometer (it becomes addictive). Then I was getting pains in my knees and took a break from running. When I started again I did so according to the physio's instructions, alternating running and walking and taking it slowly. After a while I tried running with no walking breaks, and my knees were fine. So I thought I could get serious again, and I remembered the pedometer. But its battery had died, and I haven't replaced it yet.

I live in one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. My neighbourhood is a Tolkienesque wonderland with horses, donkeys, cows and dogs, and I do appreciate it every single day, but you are able to take in so much more when you are not racing along the paths and bogroads at great speed. Running sans pedometer has made me slow down again, and instead of focusing on times and kilometers, I have been on long walks with a bit of running in between and vice versa.

This year the blackberries are in abundance, and we have been picking them everywhere we spot them.  Last week I picked some during one such run-walk. Some runners attach weights to their wrists; little bags full of blackberries aren't that different (and they didn't turn into jam from all the bouncing). I watched caterpillars cross the road and said hello to the horses. I got lost on purpose. The endless chatter in my mind was turned off.

The endorphins and the feeling of accomplishment after a long sweaty run are hard to beat, but at the moment I prefer the quieter contentment of my random approach to exercise.


6 comments:

  1. I love blackberries. Have you had blackberry cobbler??

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    1. Mmmmm, yes, and yesterday my sister's blackberry-apple pie :-) x

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  2. I love the title of this post! It made me smile :) Running slower and take in more of the beautiful surroundings is my preferred approach to running as well. My friends tell me that my running routine is not efficient or effective and I need to include some tempo running or intervals but I can't motivate myself to do that. I prefer the quiet, slow, contemplative kind of running.

    I'm so glad to hear your knee is finally OK! and I was very impressed that those blackberries didn't turn into jam :)

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    1. Thank you, Angeliki! Yes, there is something to be said for our kind of running. And don't mind your friends' criticism - you were still able to run a marathon, if I remember correctly (I know you've done some challenging races)! x

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  3. Sounds lovely! We have raspberries in the garden this year. So delicious!

    I just noticed that you are reading a book by Marguerite Duras. I recently watched the film The Lover and intend to pick up a copy of the book at the library later today. (Maybe Summer Rain, as well.) Synchronicity. ~

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    1. Ooh, raspberries! You are lucky to have them in your garden.
      Duras's writing is beautiful. I liked the film version of The Lover; they managed to capture the atmosphere of the book. Yes, we often seem to be in the same reading mood! xx

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