Monday, 31 July 2023
It’s been three full weeks since I last had a drop of alcohol, and the benefits are beginning to appear. My mind is clear, and I can think much better, all my senses are more alert, and the world just seems a different place, so much more to it than when the cloak of alcohol disguises everything. This morning is grey, overcast and damp with the odd break revealing sunshine above the clouds. I feel alive despite the weather or maybe because of it. Being a fellrunner you can’t pick and choose when to go out, you have to go out in all weathers to get the full experience of fellrunning.
I’m surfing the net whilst my breakfast settles and I come across Frank Kafka, I’ve no idea why or how I found him, but I did, or maybe he found me… anyway, I read about him and immediately identify with him, never finishes anything, wracked with anxiety and self-doubt, feel alienated and like an outcast in society sometimes, yes so much I identify in myself with Kafka. I’ve downloaded some of his books to read on my phone when I wake up in the night. Should make for some interesting reading and dreams!
I’ve been for a run this morning. I toyed with the idea of going to The Rock on Norland Moor, but I was drawn to The Rocking Stones on Warley Moor, so I headed there. It’s about ½ mile to the Rocking Stones from where I park and even though it was raining and misty, the conditions were perfect for running over one of the bleakest moors I know of. I still love this moor though and all the others like it. The bleakness adds something special, something magical to the moor and it did today with the mist and rain rolling in then rolling out. I got to the Rocking Stone in good time, and it was everything I wanted. I could feel a magical, mystical energy coming through the Rocking Stone almost as if the earth was sending me energy, talking to me, listening to me. It was a very spiritual moment.
My time at the Rocking Stone came to an end and I continued over the moor down to Castle Carr Road, on the road and onto the path that leads up to the reservoirs, although I wouldn’t be going up to the reservoirs but taking a left across the moor following the conduit until it rejoined the path I took down to Castle Carr Road. It sounds more complicated than it is. I followed the path, and I felt a lot better than the last time I was on it when I struggled to walk never mind run on it. This time was so much better, and I even ran on parts of the path back to my car which is uphill all the way.
I’ve had a really good run, just over 5 miles and feel so much better for it. Home and I jumped straight in the bath instead of getting something to eat and after soaking for an hour or so I did get something to eat and the relaxed on the sofa for the rest of the evening, watching 90s dramas on TV.
The Autistic FellRunner 