After the school run, the dog walk and some gentle gardening, I drive to the leisure centre and change into my running gear and then spend a few minutes composing myself before setting out for an easy run round Figham Common. Iit takes about seven weeks to establish a reasonable level of running fitness, but as my core muscles and cardiovascular systems are good from swimming and walking, it may take a little less. My body will let me know when it feels ready, usually this will manifest as an increase in stride length. At the moment my stride length is quite short, but having had more comebacks from illness and injury than Rocky Balboa, I have learned to be patient and have faith in my body.
Turning right out of the leisure centre, run down Flemingate towards Beverley Beck on the pavement. Across the road is a large new development which will be shops, houses and a multiplex cinema. There are mixed views about it in the town, but at least it is a brownfield site. This is the least enjoyable part of the run, because of the traffic, but it only lasts for 400m and I am soon running alongside the Beck. It is lovely and warm at midday and I have dressed in just shorts and vest. There is no traffic down here, only a few anglers and people walking. Quite soon settle into a nice rhythm and breath easily through my nose, scanning my body and letting go of any tension becomes apparent. The rhythm of the running, the relaxation and awareness of my breathing, soon has me in a meditative state. As the sense of self diminishes, the presence of the world becomes more intense, more poignant. The environment is certainly beautiful, the weeping willows drooping into the quiet water, the picturesque boats and barges moored against the banks of the Beck. There is little wind, the sky is an intense cobalt blue and I strip of my vest to enjoy the warm feeling of the sun on my chest and back. There are moorhens and ducks here and there on the water, but the big birds, the geese and the swans have yet to return after the winter. After a mile I am running alongside Figham Common, one of four in Beverley and the most southerly. The Beck is actually a short canal and connects, via lock gates, to the river Hull. Figham lies to the south, bounded by the river on one side and Beverley Road on the other. (This leads to the City of Hull about ten miles South.)
Just before the lock I turn right and run south alongside Barmston Drain, a large man made waterway, that runs parallel to the river. Sheep are pastured on Figham, but they will not be brought onto the common until after Easter. I am running on a dirt path, and as East Yorkshire is now officially in drought, the going is firm and easy. Approaching the bridge over the drain, notice four workmen repairing the bridge, they are replacing the old planks with new, the work almost complete, just two near side planks to replace. The gap is about a foot. A solution is soon negotiated, the workmen are not allowed to let me cross until the work is complete, but they are not allowed to stop me either. So step over the gap, wave them goodby and run on towards the river bank. The going under foot is more difficult now, the path rutted and uneven and I seem, somehow, to have speeded up after the bridge. So slow down and relax again, letting the adrenalin fade away. Figham is marshland, with huge clumps of marsh grass, declaiming that fact. Ahead the levee looms, rising 15 or 20 feet above my head. When I get there, turn left, (north) and climb the grassy bank, gradually, in a long diagonal ascent. On top of the levee there is a pleasant, cooling breeze, and across the river, the village of Weel. Passing a few dog walkers, comment on the unseasonal weather, too soon the lock gates appear. These also form a footbridge over the Beck, and now run back on the opposite bank, underneath the shade of the willows , still moving easily and smoothly. Further along the Beck, beyond the willow trees, are new houses and flats that overlook the Water. Finally, the Forresters Arms, and a bronze statue of a barges mark the western end of the Beck. Crossing Flemingate and jogging the last few yards back to the centre.
Cool down outside before replacing my vest and putting a towel round my neck, before making my way to the gym for an easy 15 minute warm down on the exercise bike. Afterwards, shower and swim a few lengths easy freestyle and backstroke before dressing and heading for the cafe for tea and scone.
I have posted a picture of me after my run and will post pictures of the Beck and Figham later.
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