003 - Vindolanda, Running the Landscape
The catalysts to me starting to run the landscape surrounding Vindolanda were a long absence from running due to injury (or, let’s be honest, a good dose of laziness and a reluctance to start the slow journey back to a desired level of fitness), finding out that a Roman Signal station once occupied Barcombe Hill, and the need to shed some weight for an upcoming family holiday. I had also heard rumours of Roman phallus graffiti inscribed into the quarry from where the rock used to build the fort came from. Also, I wanted to see Vindolanda from the vantage point of the trig point.
The runs allowed me to visualise distances in a way that was impossible through maps alone—to move through the landscape on foot, immersing myself in the sensory experience. The weather conditions were constantly changing, ranging from sleet and snow to gusty winds, yet there were also beautiful, still evenings where the sunsets felt like a reward for the effort. It was useful to appreciate all these conditions and to imagine life 2000 years ago when the comforts we take for granted today were not available. Comforts and rewards back then were gained through a different kind of effort and a direct physical connection to the land. In many ways, I envy that connection, and it’s sad/unsettling to feel that as a species we have lost this. I think this is why I’m so drawn to Chris's understanding of Vindolanda.
Through running, I gained a personal understanding of the landscape—its undulating topography and the geology underfoot, each step bringing me closer to the history embedded in the ground. Along the way, I spotted wildlife: deer, hares, and a wide variety of bird species. These moments of connection with nature only added to the sense of place.
I ran to two different trig points, which always give me a sense of achievement. Reaching the top provides me with a 360-degree view of my position within the landscape—looking north towards Scotland and south towards England—something that brings everything into focus, grounding me in the present moment. It’s a simple act of navigation, but the clarity it provides is profound.
Running is also a release. My mind becomes free when I run, and in that openness, I feel more attuned to new perspectives and ideas. The uneven surfaces demand my full concentration, forcing me to focus solely on my movement and staying upright, which, surprisingly, clears away any thoughts of external pressures—because if I don’t focus, I’ll probably end up face down in the mud!
It’s these moments of flow that I look for when I run—allowing my thoughts to dissipate and my mind to open up to fresh ideas and insights. This rhythmic engagement with the landscape feels both grounding and liberating, and I can’t help but feel that running is not just physical exercise, but an integral part of my creative process here at Vindolanda.
(Slow) Running Logs
Vindolanda 1 - https://strava.app.link/20zsjcrZnRb
Vindolanda 2 - https://strava.app.link/4x30GUkZnRb
Vindolanda 3 - https://strava.app.link/84O7VmgZnRb
Vindolanda 4 - https://strava.app.link/XCKh7KaZnRb
Vindolanda 5 - https://strava.app.link/xCRA9WvXPRb
Vindolanda 6 - https://strava.app.link/zD9N0RrXPRb
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