Totally soaked commuting to work in Worcester
Running has been going alright. It's easy to motivate early when it's light out so 430 am has been wonderful. Even had a couple pre 4 am starts to get in 15-20 miles which has been fantastic and something I should be doing weekly. Was trying to spot the comet that's been out but haven't been out early enough and it's been cloudy. I forget that we are a ways north and it's really light early still. I love the silence early morning. Lock down was fantastic with no traffic or people out but now these things seem to be back to normal. I miss days of seeing no one, sitting in near complete silence. Ironic as I struggled with this when I was a ranger, being alone.
Hedgehog
Staircase in Kidderminster
Seeing people's summer vacation posts on social media hurts mentally, every year I get this. Fun family road trips around the western US bring back memories and the inspiration to show my kids these places. I understand it's different here, which is fine, but even if we were planning a trip to Europe, which is possible with Covid, I can't go because the US president is a douche bag and I'm banned from European travel on my passport! However, I'm not holding my breath for anything anyway, I can't even get my kids to ride fucking bikes without complaining. I keep telling myself to be patient, yet consistent, and maybe they'll start to enjoy the things I do.
Early in Bewdley
Kidderminster canal tunnel
Sunrise along the canal
I've got a huge itch for adventure. Been looking at options locally. I've planned out a Trans Worcestershire run (linked to route). Worcestershire is the county I live in and I figured out a north to south trail run that's 47 miles. I just need to figure out the logistics of getting to/from the start and finish as these locations are fairly rural. The start is close, within a 20 minute drive, but the finish is 45 minute drive and not very close to a convenient rail station. I've also considered running the Worcestershire Way (linked to route), an official path about 31 miles that starts locally in Bewdley. I've ran most of it before combining the Malvern Hills Ultra and also training runs but it would be fun to do it all at once to see if I could do it fast. It's fairly convenient as there's a train station right near the finish in Great Malvern. And as my ambitions wander I think of North Wales, Brecon Beacons, Scotland's Munros........... and then I realize I have no friends interested in any of this and I'm all alone, married with kids, and the ideas fade. I guess I’ll just keep running.
Sunrise near Hartlebury
I’m adding on after posting this sone more ranting. I’ve come to hate summer and we’re on day 2. All the kids want to do is stare at screens. It’s so difficult to get them to try anything I’ve almost given up. I look at places and things to do but don’t want to deal with all the bullshit that goes with trying. There’s only so much will power a person has and I think I’m tapped out. You see all the toys and shit spent on them boxed up in the garage. What an absolute waste of money. Bikes. Scooters. Trampoline. Gymnastics bars. The list goes on. Santa’s got it easy I’d say! Give them clothes.
