London blue sky.
Our notion of time is easily blown by a simple whistle these days, not reliable after numerous everyday solo runs during lockdowns.
It’s Wednesday, at least our train to Putney was reliable, no sign of weekend closure.
Longtime awaited warm sun rays, excited us to reunite again with my buddy Kelly here to experience the effort, speed and fun.
We both had slight idea how the terrain would be, after rainy chilly May. Staying outer border of 2 hilly parks could mean the last areas to be dried. Muddy?
We are standing at the north of Wimbledon Common, ready to start.
Watch ready, c’est parti!
Within few minutes, we were disoriented. Stop and check, and another. Recce or not, the fresh unknown routes offer a sensational shout.
Finally we find a good rhythm, speed, and intensity about 35 minutes in, found ourselves circling down Wimbledon Common, instead of crossing over to Richmond Park. We missed the turn long ago.
3 options:
1.Go back and continue, 2.Go back and restart, or 3. Restart right here from zero.
I inclined to go for #3.
But is Kelly willing to follow?
She smiles and says absolutely, let’s do this! Yes, she is amazing.
We run anti clockwise, meant longtime hearing vehicles drumming on our right ear, and the fresh breeze of national parks on our left cheeks.
Our mind look for excuses to turn left to head deeper in the park.
But mind our mission! We are carefully stayed running at the edge.
At one point, we chose a wrong turn, forced us to run uphill inwardly, to the kiosk of Richmond Park, then run zigzagging down from top of the hill to find the border wall again.
Then no route but just wild.
We yet try to run along the border, tracing its curve, not to shorten the route.
Caterpillars having a spring party, even found them later under the shower:)
Terrain was very fair in fact, not too muddy, easy to run. Except double long poses x 2 at the traffic rights when crossing over the Parks, one another.
We definitely enjoyed this longer than expected adventure!
But wait! Where were all these 630 red and fallow deers roaming!?
Miki x Kelly
P.S. All my runs this year is dedicated to the charity “Free To Run”
I am very happy to challenge all those local FKTs and beyond adventures wherever takes me on the globe.
These distances I run are all connecting to Kabul. My virtual 6704km run in 2021 from London to Kabul.
A virtual bridge, I am building through my runs with a heart warming support by you all, aiming to bring the hope and courages all together.
Free to Run’s mission is to enable women and girls to safely and boldly engage in outdoor activity in conflict-affected regions. Through a combination of sports programs, life skills development, and community outreach, they help females to reclaim public space and change views about the roles they can (and should) play in a society. Their programs are designed to develop community leaders who can bring people together across cultural, ethnic and religious lines. They work to provide their participants with the tools to succeed because they can and will be a force for positive change.
Thank you so much for supporting them!!
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/miki-neant