Rec Centre

Wet Heaven

So, all summer long you told your friends jogging wasn't right in the summer: "too hot", "too dry" and "no soft areas" to run on. Winter is the time to jog, you said. When you're not normally outside anyway (as you are in the summer), and your body is craving for some of that crisp, refreshing air.

"Oh! Oh! for that summer now,
Oh, for that lovely past.
Excuses you've made not thinking ahead,
Excuses to bide you time.
Ah! But I've not forgotten you,
Ah no! Not me
And now I want to help you
Fulfil that summer's dream.

Wet heaven, has arrived! Those ideal conditions of yours, not mine. Rain has begun to fall as well as the temperature. Now when most retreat inside, your pleasure can be fulfilled. You can get out of your hot, dry and stuffy room and jog in happiness no body to watch you while on their evening stroll and cleanse that body in fresh, rain drenched air. Rain to keep you "cool", remove that "dry" air, which makes the ground "soft" and shows that winter is here.

I said I'd help and what have I done, to help you towards your ideal? I spent some of my time in the gardens, looking up, looking down and looking around, with a measurer at the paths and scenery. To provide you with some courses to enjoy. I also measured the distances for interest and progression purposes.

You can start on the "easy course" 2.7km (1.59 miles) - or even easier 500m (.29 miles)-and work through to the "long course" 11km (6.3 miles). In total there are seven courses, although the number is unlimited if you make up your own.

In your recreation or training run, cover a variety of courses, so that the scenery is changing each time and therefore always a pleasure, not a chore. Take an easy pace, and if you get tired - walk for a while. It is important to enjoy yourself until it becomes a part of your routine. Three times a week is enough to improve your general fitness, relieve depression, or boredom from the hours of mental work, or just to enjoy it for its own sake. It if's raining or windy, wear a thin nylon jacket as this stops the chilling factor of the wind on the body.

So, for all winter joggers, the time has come, to start. The "Garden's Courses" will be on the wall of the Gallery in the Recreation Centre, (beside the changing rooms, above the dance floor). Choose a course, or just have a look at the other paths available to you.

Winter's started, have fun and I'll see you out there.