Cow stand-off and Rugby super stars

This morning I came face to face with my regular running nemesis.  Bulls. There is one field on my run that often has bulls in it, and I have had several humorous encounters with them in the past.

Once I stripped my shirt off and waved it at them to scare them away. It worked. They are usually just inquisitive, but sometimes they are inquisitive at full speed, which is useful in testing my sprinting ability!

Today I was half way through the field, and they were not budging, just staring me down.  So I stopped, and they just came closer. We stared at each other for a while, until I gave in and turned around. They followed me back to the gate as if to say "sucker!!"

There is no other way round this field, its surrounded by deep ravines and 10ft hedges.  So I was forced to find another way. And then, as if by magic, an ex-England Rugby captain came past in his landrover to offer me wisdom.  Seriously.

The sheep farmer who owns the land used to captain for England back in the day.  Top bloke. We had a brief chat about running and Rugby, and he laughed at my cow story. Told me I was a wimp (true), and then suggested I try the other way.

The other way? I have lived here most of my life, played in these fields and woods since I was 5, been scared by the same field of bulls forever, and all this time there was another way?

He pointed out a tiny footpath sign, buried in 6ft nettles and brambles, and drove off smiling. Laughing that the woman who is scared of cows could never battle through brambles.

Whats the worst that could happen? So I fought my way through, scratching up my arms, grateful that I was wearing long trousers, and swearing under my breath. But on the other side of the hedge, was the most amazing trail!

A narrow winding route under a canopy of trees, then opening out to rolling (cow free) fields and on down to the river. Amazing! It was clear no one had been this way for a long time.

I felt like a member of the famous five! I was an explorer! I was finding brave new places! I was entering Narnia! I was..... late! Crap! I had been gone 15 mins longer than I promised Brad, and he was going to be late, so I sprinted back as fast as I could, back through my new secret run, full of adventure, and home to a very patient Brad.

And this is one of 101 reasons I love to run. All this adventure before 7.30am...



p.s. - soon to come on this blog - kit reviews, photos, race info, links, training info....