Sometimes running can feel like flying. It is – at least for some of us – a rather rare and thus highly precious feeling and one of the reasons that keep me going. Especially on the occasion when I feel like there’s not much left in the tank and then I end up soaring. Loving it!
I love all the animals I see when on runs or hikes. I cherish the young cows that are out on the pasture for the first time, curiously following hikers along the fence.
Same with horses, ponies and rabbits.
And then there are the chickens. We have lots of very lucky and undoubtedly happy chickens around here. They are allowed to roam large grassy areas, sometimes studded with bushes and trees. The chickens get moved around in a chicken-mobile so they can explore various surroundings.
For about a month now they have been in a field with low bushes in a tree nursery and when it last rained a puddle formed in one of the empty holes where a l bush had been dug out and the chickens used it as a bath. So precious, the sight was simply too sweet!
And where do I sleep tonight?
I have a zen doodle book at home that I copy designs out of. Sometimes I create my own designs but I have to admit that the process of creating art as a copyist comes much more easily to me and has a heightened effect of relaxation for me.
I guess I still carry that child’s reflex of learning by copying in me. That’s how I learned back then and still do nowadays. So my credo is: Don’t give up what’s working well and brings you fun!
On my 35k run last weekend I run one of my older running shoes into the ground (I felt like the ball of my foot and my big toe were running naked on the pavement) so it was time for some new ones. With the shops closed I had to fall back on my trusty brand that always works so I could order them online.
Now it’s one retired pair and two newly promoted pairs of running shoes in the app.
Thank you to my trusty retired shoes for their fantastic duty, you served me well and offered me many an inspiring hour outside under the blue, gray, wet, hot, cold… skies.
Yoga works wonders for me when it comes to re-assessing life and it’s weird twists. And it helps me stay healthy and strong, well-balanced and – yes – sane. So lots of yoga workouts on the agenda these days. (can and will totally recommend the FitStar Yoga app – not getting paid, just a huge fan.)
In school I wasn’t a big fan of running unless there was a ball involved or some other higher goal than simply running around involved.
Then, almost 20 years ago, when traveling around the world my friend declared in Australia that we’s go and buy ourselves some proper running shoes as otherwise our beer consume might turn us into proper barrels. And that’s when my running career started. Thanks to my friend back then who made me puff and swear along Bondi beach.
Over that last three years one of my very dearest friends introduced me to another long loathed category, the races. I’ve completed between 20-30 races a year over the last 3 years. Never ever thought that would happen.
And the third big thing I always denied would ever happen came to pass this year when I thought I might have to step in for mentioned dear friend and actually started training for a marathon. It’s not that I ever doubted that I could do it if I properly trained, what hindered me was my other hobbies and interests. Since I’m a slow runner it takes me well over 2h to do a 20k training run. I don’t mind, my body doesn’t mind but after 2h I do start thinking “well, what else could I do now… this running around stiff is getting lame…”.
Well, enter 2020 and watch me while away a 4h run – my very first 35k ever!! And might very well be my last. That’s why I thought this was reason to celebrate – congrats to me for this huge achievement!!
About a week ago COVID-19 helped me make a healthier choice. I was tempted to pass by McDrive to celebrate the start of the weekend. But as luck had it, the Mac down the road was actually closed, including their drive-in (drive-through for all Americans among you) and take-away.
So I was forced to eat at home and stick to my good habits: I ended up having salad and chicken nuggets.
My neighbor must be somehow related to Francis of Assissi, at least all animals seem to love him. My panther cat took to him as soon as he laid eyes on him. I can confirm that he is the absolut best, he kept me stocked with the most important essentials – comfort food like Maltesers and cookies – during my self-quarantine.
Today he obviously made a new friend… I got pictures from my neighbors partner showing him with the pigeon first on his shoulder and then on his hand. Magic!
My panther can be quite a (male) diva. He loves to be served and obeyed to his every last desire. Sometimes I have the willpower or I’m simply lazy enough to withstand. But when you see this face through the tinted front door window even the strongest resolve melts away after making me smile so hard I’m certain to expect a slight muscle ache in my cheeks by tomorrow morning.
He’s just the sweetest and most stubborn little boy. and he likes his staff well trained. My neighbors know. He’s hanging out with them a lot and they don’t have a cat door so they have to wait on him all the time. But they don’t mind. They are aware the cat took over and they are simply tolerated staff by now.
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