Now, I’ve only recently come across the phrase “Green Exercise” but it completely sums up my whole running experience. A perfect run for me includes scenery to look at, birds to listen to, the occasional style to climb over and a never ending trail to follow.
After parking in an industrial estate my surroundings had truly changed from grey to lush green and coupled with the late afternoon sunshine I was looking forward to connecting with nature. I run all year round but the warmth of the sun on your bones and the added Vitamin D boost are a welcome treat after the Winter months.
There’s no doubt that this form of green therapy will give you a physical buzz as well as clear your head at the same time.
As I approached Nine Elms Lane it was so quiet I could hear the Wallington River flowing by, just the other side of the trees. Next I ran uphill and branched off onto Whitedell Lane with the intention of following the footpaths that have the river on one side and the crops on the other.
As the first photo of my blog shows there was also a wind blowing but it added a different dimension to the crops that I was passing ….. movement !!
Ahh, the wind blowing through your lockdown hair …. ha ha.
I’ve often thought that when these crops sway in the wind they look like a green sea. You could almost say instead of a landscape it’s a seascape. I couldn’t resist stopping and watching the ebb and flow effect that the crops were mimicking from the sea. I almost found myself swaying just as if I’d been on a boat or a ferry.
Climbing a style took me into the cow fields that follow the river. I noted the electric fence wire that keeps the cows out of danger, as this wasn’t a sensation I was keen to experience !! Navigating the old cow pats is always a challenge to apply concentration on.
Footpaths have been used by people for hundreds of years and I feel privileged to follow in their steps. I thought to myself I’m taking in the blue sky and green fields just as they would have.
I had looked at my Ordnance Survey map before coming out so I had a birds eye view of the fields that I would run through. My next focus was to find a bridge over the river. It’s great exploring areas you haven’t run before because it adds an element of the unknown as well as the surprises that can be around the next corner.
Once over the wooden bridge my senses were taking in the smells, sights and sounds. Further ahead of me I could see a collection of farmhouses. Once there I ran a short section of road before coming across this posh signpost.
This signpost pointed me in a Westerly direction which would eventually lead towards Forest Lane and Wickham Common. With the evening sun now lower in the sky I gradually left the farmhouses behind me and that’s when it dawned on me how few distractions I had.
With every stride I was quite simply looking ahead, to the left and to the right just absorbing my surroundings. It’s difficult to describe how physical activity can be relaxing but when you’ve taken away, traffic, people and buildings and replaced them with woods and a trail to follow, you really are living in the moment.
Mindfulness is often described as taking the time to notice how you feel in a given moment. I’d describe my Green Exercise as mindful movement along a centuries old path with woods in the distance and nature surrounding me on all sides.
I’d also recommend green exercise because you never really get into a constant rhythm like you would with miles on a flat road. The ever changing landscape gives an all round workout.
The lack of noise really is noticeable and a welcome change. You can feel your stress levels drop as you wind your way through the rural Summer meadows.
Running on your own might not be as social as running with others but I find you take in so much more. Connecting with nature is something I’d recommend to anyone, you’ll never get bored of taking in what’s on every horizon. I’d hardly looked at my gps watch because pace simply wasn’t why I was out this evening, it was purely for the joy of it.
I decided to save running further for another day so I turned around and retraced my steps. By the time I reached the bridge I’d crossed earlier I was slightly concerned with the sign that I saw but luckily there weren’t even cows in the field never mind a bull ha ha !!!
As I headed back towards civilisation I had a smile on my face and I knew these miles would contribute to both my physical health and mental wealth. Oh, and of course it cost me nothing !! There are no membership fees for running off road š
Exploring the countryside might not be everyone’s idea of fun but I find it so rewarding.
Thanks for reading, stay active and stay safe.
irunoffroad 