No rants/insights or observations today as I am enjoying my birthday but I did go for a run.

Day 9 – 40 minutes

It is wet, dark and windy but it is my birthday so I am going to enjoy the run come what may. Actually I quite like running in the rain, I have a good set of waterproofs and I find it quite energising. Plus Gill has bought me a new head torch so I can try it out. The secret of running in the rain is to just accept that, whatever you wear you are going to get wet. There is no point dodging puddles as you’re just as likely to twist an ankle. So embrace your inner child and splash through the puddles.

I drop Gill off and park the car back in town then out along the river, then follow the canal path out of town and back down the Natland Road. As I run alongside Aynam Road a van drives through a huge puddle and a wave of water breaks over me (remember embrace that inner child). After I cross the Burton Road the canal path is already overrun with water for about 15 yards and there is no lighting so the torch gets a good testing, as does my inner child. Surprisingly there are quite a few, well 3, other runners embracing their inner child and enjoying their morning run. We exchange a quiet nod of understanding as we pass. Then I head for home for a hot bath and coffee.