11th Sept Spoke too soon!


Standing in a haphazard circle of pacers and plodders in the car park at Burntstump, like a secret gathering of Runners Annonymous waiting to start either a speedy or sedate jaunt around the local woods, we all smiled when one of the assembled athletes happened to say, 'well it looks as if the BBC weather forecast for a sudden downpour isn't going to happen'.

Less than 5 mins later and a mere 400 meters into a 4 and 1/2 mile run and the heavens opened in biblical proportions. I'm sure I saw a man buildign an ark through the trees. Not only were there cats and  dogs but a whole other managerie of animals falling from the sky so that within minutes I don't think I could have been any wetter. Not just wet but trying to navigate in glasses that has steamed up!

Having said that, running in the rain is so much more fun than running in 30 degree temps, trying not to trip up over half hidden tree roots in the fading lights and splashed through ankle deep puddles hoping I wasn't about to experience a Dawn French moment.

I don't know what happened to the pacey group as they were out of sight almost before I had realised we were off, but the plodders had a fab time. And for once I wasn't at the back of the group. Maybe there is a replacement for Mo after all.


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