Rainy day greens

So the holidays started officially yesterday and so I ran despite the torrential rain. I mean it was stair-rod stuff, cats n dogs, pissing it down. You know the drill. So I only did the beach and back as by the time I got there I was like a drowned rat and didn’t fancy dying of hypothermia running along the exposed beach despite it being july – its still Wales!

Wait whats that in the distance braving the storm

#spottedthehelicopter – A chinook in fact. Just noticed you can see the rain falling in the photos

The path to the beach becomes a river but everythings so so so green!

Hellimacopter!

Sunday was a five miler along the beach and up to Wick through the fields, the weather was glorious but the tide was on its way in so I couldn’t hang around.  But whats that i spy hovering in the distance over the rocks that break up the two sands?

Spot it yet?

Hovering right over my access to the next beach

I had to run literally right underneath it to get past onto the next section of beach and trust me, running under helicopters this low isnt easy. Running up to it is perfect resistance training but the wind just buffets you from side to side. Then once past the wind pushes you at a terrific speed away from it – meaning I was running olympic 100M pace over a tricky rock section! Luckily I stayed upright until the wind died and with a cheery thumbs up to the crew (who were probably wetting themselves laughing) i was on my way again

Best close-up I could do!

It’s never dull down the beach eh?

I came, I ran, I saw, I went home

You cant fight a feeling and todays feeling was to ignore my holding pattern and run hard becuase my body told me it wanted to. I hit maximum flow(tm) almost immediately and as the weather was fine and the tide out I just let nature take its course. All of a sudden I’m running 7 minute miles on the sand without really noticing! After a while I eased off as I deep down I knew not to take too many chances but good to shake out the legs.

I saw some stuff too!

I saw a helicopter that did a lot of hovering

Perhaps they just do a lot of hovering practice

I saw people climbing at witches point

One fell off but sadly they had safety ropes

I saw the beach from the top of the ladders

For perspective the climbers are doing the safe routes at Witches which is the point at the top of the photo

I saw an even higher tunnel of rape seed oil

Pollen tunnel of doom

I saw what appear to be tulips growing wild (ok maybe big crocus I dunno)

All in all I ran some, I saw some and I came home happy. All you can do sometimes

Just the one for easter

I only ran once over easter … I’m no fan of crowds and a bit of sunshine meant I would have to share my beach so sod that … plus ok I wanted to spend some time with friends in various pubs….

Which actually started during my friday run.  I ran the beach over to Southerdown to meet friends at the pub there.  So only four and a half miles then a few pints and a walk back. Except I’m not much use at just walking anymore. I was itching to just run everywhere as usual. So I just ran off after a while with my friends two dogs.

This is them fighting over the same stick.

Also as it was a bank holiday the coastguards were busy dealing with cretins

Not sure how much it costs to send a helicopter to get idiots off cliffs but I’m guessing it aint cheap.

Sun & rocks & helicopters & shoes & stuff

This run was actually on tuesday after work but I’ve been installing a new HDD with Win 10 so I’m only posting now. Twas a lovely day in the month of September whence I ventured to the beach on a run whereupon I espied some sights to which I shall now avail ye.

Enough of twee! It was a six and a half mile run as the sun sparkled on the sea and made me forget any aches in the legs. The pace was actually good and the breathing does feel abnormally easy now. It’s always the legs that protest first. I think this is a good sign, at least it’s less likely that I’ll keel over from a heart attack these days (And if I do I’m fishfood anyway)

Oh yeah .. sparkly sea

What else did I promise?

Rocks! Well one in particular I hadn’t come across before. It’s covered in tiny white swirls of …. rock. Never seen anything like it before so if any geologists out there have any information I’d be grateful

Shadow clearly for scale not because I’m a crap photographer

Close-up – No it’s not toothpaste, its solid. If it’s solidified seagull shit I will cry.

On I went past the mystery rock and lo and behold a rescue helicopter hovering at the far end of the beach!

Sadly it flew off before I could get closer. It did some extreme low level hovering though above Witches Point, no idea why it was there

Stuff – I ordered new shoes as I have complete shoe envy since Sergei announced hers. I am awaiting their arrival and hope they fit. I also have a small tweak in my hamstring and a bit of foot pain so guess who’s being a good boy and resting a few days?