I've started to realise something over the last week. I'm at the gym every day training for a half marathon, doing endless miles on the treadmill and cardio workouts which to be honest are less than inspirational. So as it happens on the morning of 24/02/11 the sun it belting down its rays of warm spring summer sunshine and from there on in I think my training habits will change forever.
Not since starting the quest to complete my first half marathon sometime late last year haven't I really done any running outdoors. Ive only just reached a level of fitness that makes me feel I can cope with being seen outside trying to achieve such a goal. For an ex 20 a day smoker and someone with a taste for anything with an alcohol volume getting to this stage had been no walk in the park, let alone jog!
Anyway this is a little blog about the lovely run I had to Moore Nature Reserve.
It's about a 7 mile run in total, no pressure, no stopwatch and no running partner. Out the house and a short warm up jog onto the Black Bear path, this is part of the Trans Pennine Trail. Follow it south towards the village of Stockton Heath. It's not the most inspiring parts of the journey or indeed the TPT but it's nice enough and I do spot a Jay and the flowering daffs are a nice sight also.
Reach Stockton Heath and cross over the road by the swing bridge, this is part of the Manchester Ship Canal. The trail now follows the canal and it's lush banks out of Warrington.
It's only about 2 miles until you reach the reserve and during the last section of my run that hugs the banks was where I spotted this amazing Horthorne tree in full blossom. The sight of it as you run round the corner really mugs your eyes, it broke what was a great running stride immediately.
I almost always carry a camera no matter where I'm going or what I'm doing but as you are expecting me to say, on this occasion I'm without it so the mobile phone camera will have to do. No close ups sorry, lens wont allow it but the can get the general idea of the scale and beauty of it. Walking past it taking some shots I could hear the low hum of thousands bees all over it, all busy collecting pollen, quite a sight and the perfect interruption to my run.
Picture taken I quite literally 'jog on'!
Arriving at MNR it was hard to believe the changes that have taken place since I last visited which wasn't so long ago. The sudden arrival of spring has really brought the reserve to life, just the noise volume alone, wildlife really does know when it's time to wake up!
I reach my halfway point, the return journey will be the same as my arrival route but as they say 'beauty is in the detail' so I'll be keeping an eye open for the wildlife and nature to change the view as I make my way back.
On the whole a great run, I think the point I'm trying to make if there is one is that it's time to start spending more time outdoors once again.
Please check the next 'squirrel Blog' its connected to this.
Thanks again for reading
