A Hot 12km

I really haven't been running enough lately, and during my last two cricket matches I've noticed that my fitness level hasn't been as good as it was last season.

The reason of course, is the tendonitis that has dogged me since October. Ironically running doesn't seem to aggravate it as much as bowling does, and I've done various shorter runs without there being any problems.

Today I needed to go further on what was a super day. Only I didn't mean to go as far as I did.

I headed up the cycle track, orange tips fluttering by, towards the green land  - I've forgotten how I used to refer to it here - where the skylarks used to fly and the wigeon whistled in their hundreds on one memorable occasion.

It is being turned into some kind of rubbish tip.

The skylarks are now perched on a fence next to the Middlebeck building site, keeping pace ahead of me asI ran along. Surprisingly large  birds in flight, they didn't do their Vaughan Williams song.

So, I turned back and headed across the fields to Hawton church, past the house at Valerian corner where the valerian is just coming out, and home. 12km in the end, and none too quickly either.

But I'm glad I did it. I just hope it  pays off.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 15.05.18