Joining up the dots

Thursday was the last day of my Easter holidays. Granted I don’t go back to work till Tuesday, but hubby off Friday through Tuesday so this in my mind was my last day of freedom. The Teenager was given notice that the taxi service was not available and she would have to use her limbs to get places, oh the horror of it, Worse Mother of the Year Award on its way! A long run was planned.

Where to go? Oh the choice is endless.

I decided to try to join a few routes I have done previously, mostly off road.

I have run 1 to 2 before, Newton Poppleford to Budleigh Salteton along the river, it is nice and flat. I have run 2 to 3, Budleigh Salterton to Exmouth along the coastal path, it is not flat. I have run 3 to 4, Exmouth and away from Exmouth, along the Exe Estuary trail. I have run 4 to 5 Exmouth to Woodbury Common along the start of the East Devon Way whilst training last year. The unknown territory was Woodbury Common back to Newton Poppleford, but quick study of my East Devon Way booklet and I realised I could keep on this most of the way back to the car. The plan was created.

It turned out to be a great route, with a variety of terrain, plenty of public loos and places to purchase supplies on the way. I learnt some things……

1. Despite not be able to eat jelly babies and run without becoming snotty mess, I CAN run and eat a bagel and peanut butter-result
2. A banana helps an energy gel go down (alternative song for Mary Poppins?)
3. Exmouth has a Marks and Spencers Foodhall (It wasn’t there last year!)
4. A bottle of diet coke will fit in the hydration pack pocket, with a bit of persuasion, granted opening the bottle after a few miles of jiggling, but is doable
5. I can run 26 miles without it featuring a start line, finish line, tshirt and medal, but don’t tell anyone!

I managed to join the dots and make it back to my car, without getting lost. Result