Lmst

The last time I ran this route I blamed the thick layer of wet fallen leaves, aka chutney, for the slow going up one hill. Today it was bone dry, so I had nothing to blame other than legs and steepness wasn't aligned ;)

Stunning day out, managed to avoid the live stock and honey bees and the Irish mutt go to play and cool in the melt water.

#BarefootRunning #RunnersOfMastodon #RunningWithDogs #Running #Pyrenees #TrailRunning

Paddy the Irish mutt sitting in the grass, with Pic du Midi (2877m) in the background, not as much snow as the last time I visited, blue skies and my running stats imprinted on top

Went up to 2200m and above the clouds today. Started off at 1700m, in a pea soup with about 20m of clear views ahead. Then at 2000m we started to see our shadows before the mountains just opened up. This is the view across the valley to Col de Tourmalet and Pic du Midi etc. Legs and lungs got a good breathing going up. And then we just sat there looking at the view and listening to the Marmots barking/yelping else there were no other sound.

#TrailRunning #RunnersOfMastodon #RunningWithDogs #BarefootRunning #Pyrenees #Running

View across the cloud covered valley, distance peaks of Pic du Midi can be seen across and blue skies above. Picture taken at 2200m. My running stats imprinted on top

Paddy leading the way into the clag in a gravel/farm track. One of the times where the clag wasn't too thick

Paddy standing on a rock looking to the side. With a mountain range behind him, there's still some pockets of snow on the peaks, clear blue skies.

Another fail on Hautacam, live stock everywhere, but I bagged three other peaks, which included Col de Tramassel. Again the clag was coming in and out and made this place just majestic and wow.

No RAAAD because I had to catch up with Never Stray Far pod and Tour de Britain Woman.

#Running #TrailRunning #RunningWithDogs #BarefootRunning

Paddy laying, to the right with his tongue out, on the green grass. With snow capped mountains behind peaking out of the clag, big blue cloudy skies above. My running stats imprinted on top

I failed to put a man in the summit on today's run. The last kilometre was blocked by horses, cows and sheep. Might have been able to pass alone but with a mutt and that we had to return the same way, wouldn't have been wise. So here's a picture of Pic du Midi instead. It went from running in clag and only being able to see about 50m around you, to clear views of the stunning Pyrenees around us, that you just had to stop and take in.

Today's RAAAD was a blast of the 80's Curiousity killed the Cat and Prefab Sprouts.

#Running #TrailRunning #RunningWithDogs #RunningWithMusic #BarefootRunning #RAAAD #Pyrénées

Trail cutting from left to right across grassy mountain side with clouds coming in from below on the left. In the distance background to the right you can see still snow capped mountains ( on of them is pic du Midi) my running stats imposed on the top

First run after the heat got to me, started well until I got an update from HQ.

A group of walkers and their seven dogs were heading out my way. Which normal isn't too bad a thing. Just need to plan a bit as Paddy is an anxious mutt and is still learning the world.

But when lass said that the dogs were rough housing their play, biting aggressively, going for the other dogs throats and shaking, growling etc. All the while the owners just stood around nattering, and now and again would turn and shout or throw the lead at them to try to split a fight up halfheartedly.

I pulled off the main route on a wee hillside where I could see the other paths and where these walkers would be coming from. Even from a distance you could hear the dogs and when I saw the play, the first thought wasn't "ah how nice a time these mutts are having". Everything just said these mutts aren't in control of their owners, we need to find an alternative route back.

Lucky this area has plenty of options, though as I looped around them, they doubled back, and were coming down the hill towards us, but we were ahead and going faster.

I don't mind off lead dogs, especially when that comes along with a solid recall and good behaviour. Even I who love and trust dogs (often more than humans), worked with dogs and have had dogs around me for so long, would have been a bit worried, on my guard, while walking pass them.

And the "saying" - it's ok, it is friendly" doesn't cut the mustard. What if the dog your mutt is running towards is scared, because it's been attacked before, or the person is scared or is allergic, or not too stable on their legs, having a fur ball running at you at full pelt suprising you, could make you stumble and then fall even without contact.

So please keep your mutt on lead, especially when your recall ain't solid, when other people/mutts are around who doesn't know your dog.

Annwhoo it was good to be out after a few days off, 5km in total in over an hour, though the first 3km was much faster than I was expecting, I thought I would be more out of shape, it was good to have the 15min break in the middle to rest (while I replanned and checked on the other mutts). oh and sorry for the rant.

#Running #TrailRunning #Dogs #RunningWithDogs #AdoptDontShop

Today's run was much better than yesterday, went further and did it faster, clearly getting used to the new heights. Paddy even got to run off lead in the river to cool down. Though somehow I didn't notice that I had dropped my water bottle, so an extra 2k was added with Penny, after I stopped my watch, doh. You see that peak at the start and the end I had to go over that two more times ...

Today's RAAAD was a bit disappointing picked Laid Back's best off and only 3 of their songs I remember, rest I had no clue about, I was sure I had heard many more being Danish like them.

#Running #BarefootRunning #TrailRunning #RunningWithDogs #RunningWithMusic #RAAAD

Paddy the Irish mutt running through the river to cool down. My running stats imposed on the top

Back in the great Pyrenees always a joy to hike or run here, great trails and killer views. Normally it's above 1500m before I feel the altitude and need a bit of time to get used to the new heights. But today I could really feel the lack of oomph I'm my legs. So we spend some time looking a mountains and Paddy could have a play in the river.

#TrailRunning #RunnersOfMastodon #RunningWithDogs #BarefootRunning #Running

Paddy the Irish mutt sitting on a gravel road. Behind him there's a gap in the trees and you can see the snow capped Pyrenees mountains. My running stats imposed on the top

Yesterday's run turned into a meh, just didn't have it in me or even wanted to, managed shy of 3km where most was done walking around looking for ghost in a ruined factory.

So it was good to be out on a familiar trails today. Though a cut from some branches the other day, was at the itching stages of healing. So everytime my foot hit the ground my shoe nudged the scap and the itch woke up with a big HELLO.

Today's RAAAD was again a popular music combo that shouldn't be listed to when you want to take it easy. Good solid drum and bass by Breakbeat Era and their album Ultra-Obscene.

#TrailRunning #RunningWithDogs #RunningWithMusic #RAAAD #BarefootRunning #Running

Paddy the Irish mutt standing on the rocky trail in a forest with one tree with the white and red markings so you don't get lost. My running stats imprinted on top

After yesterday's OSM recon run with Paddy the Irish mutt which I forgot to report. I went out with both mutts at first there was chaos, dogs and leads in one big mess. Then they clocked that we are out running not sniffing and playing, and off we went.

I had forgotten a few things yesterday so I need to remember to log into OpenStreetMap and add them.

Yesterday's RAAAD was the Ukrainan folktronica band Go_a they were on Euro Music a few years ago. I do like the mix of traditional musical instruments and modern electronics.

Today's Run an Album a Day was Buena Vista Social Club and their self titled album, can you remember how it was playing everywhere around the millennium.

Running two mutts equal double distance, right?

#Running #RunningWithDogs #RunningWithMusic #TrailRunning #RAAAD #OpenStreetMap #OSM

Forest trail through the green trees on a nice track. Paddy the Irish mutt in the left and Penny the Spanish Podenco on the left leading the way. My running stats imprinted on top

Since we are right in Tick season, I penned my two cents about them, not much or scientifically. But hopefully it would help one person from catching the horrific Lyme. Be careful out there.

https://woollypigs.com/ticked_off

#TrailRunning #Outdoors #Hiking #Trekking #Running #RunnersOfMastodon #RunningWithDogs #Lyme #Ticks

Two runs on the same hill and you become a local. I had a mountain biker asking me for directions. It would be a while before I know this labyrinth of wonderful trails like a local. But at least l knew the way to the top, might be the long way around but it would get you to the top.

As unbelievable Schubert Dip is, it's unbelievable that many thinks that Unbelievable is the only good song from EMF brilliant album. Great RAAAD album to run to and a trip down early 90s alternatively rock years.

#RunningWithDogs #TrailRunning #Running #RunningWithMusic #RAAAD #EMF #Music #BarefootRunning

Paddy the Irish mutt, sitting on the edge of the peak. With a view over the valley below. Clear blues skies and some green bushes to either side at the view point. The fun thing is that he is looking at Pamplona and it's build up area yet behind him we got rolling hills and farming. My running stats imposed on top

I do like a good rail trail, they give me some good memories of cycle touring in New Zealand. This one had tunnels and a smashing waterfall, to boot.

Today's RAAAD was Manu Chao again a best off, because you get a good bang for your buck that way ;) Also a good memory of a visit to Barcelona many moons ago, and a owner of a bar who as so chuffed that Manu paid his bar bill with his guitar, just before Manu hit it big internationaly.

#Music #RunningWithDogs #RunnersOfMastodon #TrailRunning #Running #RAAAD

Picture of a waterfall within a forest above white clouds and some blue skies and below there's the viewing platform and steps down to the river

Plotted a nice route through the wood with the help of WikiLoc and OpenStreetMap. Pictures on WikiLoc looked like a some nice forest trails. At first this is just a wee muddy puddle, it will get better, we thought, alas it only got worse and harder to move forward. So we decided to bail and take the road back. Only to see from there some nice hard packed paths in-between the trees ;)

#TrailRunning #MudRunning #ForestRunning #RunningWithDogs #Running

Map of the route through the woods and mud. With my running stats imprinted on top

It was more hike than a run today, most of today's climb was done at the start, boy did that go UP. The whole outing was done in a fantastic forest, I did now and would have as a kid enjoyed this place, need to come back. Had to stop many times to take it in and just feel this glorious wood. But also to navigate as it was a very dense with the path(s) covered in a thick layer of chutney (aka fallen leaves that makes anything below very slippery) be that either sharp limestone rocks, narly tree roots or deep muddy mulch. Which made running impossible since I would like to keep my ankles in working order.

It is clearly a threchous place as I arrived back to HQ, the mountain rescue were heading up into the mountain and forest, hope it was just a training and nobody was hurt.

No RAAAD today as I had two podcasts episodes of Never Stray Far to catch up with, it's the Giro (tour de Italy)

#RunningWithDogs #TrailRunning #Woods #Cycling #Chutney #RunnersOfMastodon #Running

My red shoes and Paddy's one white paw standing on chutney aka wet fallen leaves. With my running/hiking stats imprinted on top

Set out into the misty, damp, clacky Basque country side. First 2-3km was a farm/forest track, which then turned into a forest trail into the deep forest, that slowly went up and got steeper and steeper as the next 2-3km went on.

Then it turned around and went UP, glutes screamed as we reached the peak, where between the clouds we could see other peaks across the valley. Then a long the ridge to two more peaks, before we went down, at time fairly slippery, back to the farm/forest track, into the mist again and back to HQ, just over 12 brilliant kilometers.

Arrived back just as it started to rain heavily, not that I could be any more wet.

RAAAD was a double today with first a band I was sure only was a one hit wonder, so their album was totally new to me and definitely needs a re-listen - Anarchy by Chumbawamba.

And then the ever so fantastic original sound track of the movie that is also fantastic - Conan The Barbarian.

#RunningWithDogs #RunningWithMusic #RunnersOfMastodon #TrailRunning #RAAAD #Running

Looking across a valley between the trees with low hanging clouds and other peaks peaking out through the clouds. I'm guessing the views would be amazing if it was a clear day, but then there wouldn't be the excitment. With my running stats imprinted on top.

On today's run I visited an art installation in the woods. At various view points you can align the painted trees up to make a drawing.

Asian Dub Foundation and their brilliant album Access Denied, which helped me through the Brexit chaos. With tracks with Stewart Lee and Greta Thunberg and other banging tunes. You can get it here https://asiandubfoundation.bandcamp.com/album/access-denied

#RunningWithDogs #RunningWithMusic #RAAAD #TrailRunning #Running

Tree trunks painted with bits of a red lines, that looks like random lines until you stand in the correct point and the lines become a few circles. With my running stats imprinted on top

So after masterfully avoiding the glorious Spanish mud yesterday, today I didn't. This snap is from just before it got worse. At least I didn't drop and there was long wet grass to run through to "wash" our legs afterwards.

I only thought of you @Wen after I had washed down the mutt ;)

Today's RAAAD was the brilliant Danish band Gasolin there was some bad singing and a lot of air guitar ;)

#RunningWithDogs #TrailRunning #MudLarking #Running #RAAAD #RunningWithMusic #Gasolin

My red shoes in Spanish mud, this is why we love trail running,.one minute nice hard forest trail then next it is glorious mud ;) with my running stats imprinted on top

We had rain over night and Spanish soil does turn into slippery gluey mud, that is impossible to walk/run in without falling and taking a bath in it. So that direction was out, the other direction also turned into a no go, livestock guard dog isn't something you want to "play" with especially when your running partner is a nervous soul. But still managed 5k and getting soaked when it wasn't raining, the humidity was thick.

#Running #RunningWithDogs #TrailRunning

Even Paddy the Irish mutt didn't fancy the Spanish mud. A forest trail leading into the woods while turning more and more muddy and water locked..my running stats imprinted on top

A sign in Spanish stating that livestock guard dogs are in the area protecting them from wolves and how to pass these dogs if you should encounter them. I decided not to encounter them since Paddy is a nervous dog

Come to the country side they said, enjoy the fresh air they said, it would be good for you they said.

I'm sorry to the Danish band, TV-2, as I didn't listen to much of what they were singing today.

Anyone who knows me, knows that trying to hold a conversation with me when in a forest or a place where I can see waves, is a no go, as both sends me into my Zen place, totally void of anything, just switched off, happy.

Today's run was through forest with views of the sea, waves, beach and cliffs. I just wanted to stay and keep running.

Alas, we had to do shopping and the farmer started to crop spray in the field right next to us and we where down wind. So, we sadly left the place in a bit of a hurry with all the windows open, gag!

#RunningWithMusic #RunningWithDogs #RAAAD #TrailRunning #CliffRunning

Paddy the Irish mutt leading me on a path that runs in a forest with views of the beach to the left with waves crashing into the cliffs in the distance. My running stats imprinted on top

I've totally forgotten how many bangers the Danish band Gnags have made.

Put on a Best of album and set out to Den dejligste morgen (most beautiful morning) with it very much was. Then sang along to the protest song Vilde Kaniner (wild rabbits). Then it went a bit 'Pete Tong' with the absolute tunes of Går med hunden gennem byen (Walking the dog through the town) and Slingrer Ned Ad Vestergade (Strolling down Vestergade), because I blew up when - Når jeg bliver gammel (When I get old), the irony, started and I had 500m to go on the 5k. Paddy the Irish mutt my pulled me over the line, he likes running fast when there's no sticks to be played with.

Looked at my watch and it said numbers I couldn't understand, when looking through the sweat in my eyes. Walked the 1.5km back to HQ, had nothing left to do a gentle jog even when Burhøns came on.

The stats on Strava and it said I had shaved 2m28sec off my PB! So I'm in the "under 30" club now with a 27m32sec 5k, just how!?!?

I will end with this line from the song Denmark - Lige meget hvem du er. Lige meget hvor du er. Så velkommen her. (No matter who you are. No matter where you are. So welcome here)

Here the song Vilde Kaniner - https://youtu.be/-fk8fXTiAAo

#Running #TrailRunning #PB #RunningWithDogs #Danish #Music #Tunes #Bangers #RunningWithMusic #RAAAD #Gnags

#runningwithdogs

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