CATCH up CORNER... WEEK 3... Slip off the runn... - Couch to 5K

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CATCH up CORNER... WEEK 3... Slip off the running shoes and Come on in !

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate
13 Replies

Hello folks...here I am.. a tad late, this week, but. I love balance so I thought the later post would head us towards the end of May, very neatly!

The snacks are out,,, fresh tasty treats some wonderful teas and coffee and a few healthy smoothies too! The cushions are waiting... and the corner is welcoming... the windows wide open to welcome the day!

Time to relax and time to chill out and chat.

The fact that it is rained really heavily yesterday, though, was quite opportune, because I was thinking... if you have a run that is programmed and the weather suddenly changes, sometimes the temptation not to run may sneak in … do we go or not!

What do we do, on those days when we really, really don't want to run!

We all have excuses too... as I have said in previous posts... too tired, too busy later, slept badly, slept too heavily.... the dog ate my running shoes:) Or, even.... gasp ...I can't be bothered!!!!

Well... the first thought... it is you doing the running and if you don't want to...you don't have to :)

But maybe, just take stock, sit back and think... what would get you out there ?

* How many times if any, have you come back from a run and wished you hadn't run, with the exception of course, of feeling ill or having injured yourself ?

There are of course several options... just putting your shoes on... donning your gear and getting out there... once you are out, you are out , may as well carry on?

A few folk have deeper thoughts that get them out...thinking about the reasons that they started running... and determined to stick with those reasons... even on the days when it all seems a little more of a struggle!

Many too, and I am included here, do, sometimes, think about the folk who would love to run, but cannot; folk with illness, injury or other issues, which prevent them. I and all of us are lucky... and give thanks for the fact that we are able to do what we enjoy so much!

If we are able to, we can, perhaps, get these thoughts into order.

We can look back and see how far we have come... we can think how the running is impacting us, mentally and physically, we can think of how it feels and how amazingly lucky we are !

I know that I am totally amazed when i read my running logs over the years and see how far this old snail has come !

But if it really is feeling too much? We can simply, be kind to ourselves... take it easy, have an extra day's rest, take the run slower than usual...and perhaps... just take a break from the C25K programme or our running plan, and just do a run... as short and sweet as we like... just run because we can.... then get back on track with a lighter heart and lighter steps?

For me, I do it for my husband, my family, but most of all, for me. It keeps me healthy and happy, mentally and physically. My running is a good friend, and on the days when I may be feeling slightly less enthusiastic... I do think... my run is waiting... I'm showing up... and I do :)

On mornings like this morning... where the early mist has given way to blue sky and sunshine... there is no reluctance... at all:)

So... your turn now... what gets you out there?

Looking forward to seeing who pops in and looking forward to hearing your experiences too.

Come on in and sit awhile.

Oldfloss x

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13 Replies
Annieapple profile image
AnnieappleAdministratorGraduate

🍏🤣Good morning Floss. I did wonder what was coming as I saw that photo! Thank you for welcome coffee..it’s always good to chat with you! I love running so it doesn’t usually take much to get me out there. I especially love the crisp early morning air when there are few people around & I feel like the world belongs to me. The dawn chorus, sweet smells of blossom, the grass or the ocean , a breeze upon my arms and face, tantalise my senses. On non run days I open the door and do some deep breathing on the patio and wish it was a run day!

I think too my appreciation of doing the run I can, comes from finding running so late in life (67) I want to keep going till I fall off my perch but in order to do that I need to keep it up regularly. So in the winter when it’s cold and miserable that’s what drives me out of my warm bed and into the rain, wind or snow. Within minutes of starting I am glad I did it! When you wear the right gear you can enjoy being part of nature. The only thing that stops me is ICE! Risk of injury keeps me champing at the bit for my next run!

Well lovely friend I am easing off the cushions to get going with my busy day. Thank you for this chat & hope you have a good day! 🏃‍♀️ ❤️🎶

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to Annieapple

Hello....I am so glad to see you here... I do know how much you are enjoying your running ... and you are so right about those early runs... and in different seasons too.

So interesting to read that part of the , get up and go, aspect is related to coming to running later in life... I never thought about that...I know I feel incredibly grateful that at my age I am still able to run!

I agree re the ICE... it is a complete no no for me as well ! I love the idea of you out in the fresh air, breathing in the energy for you r many, many busy days...

I hope today went well for you and thank you so much for popping in and sharing your experiences and your routines too . Always a cushion here for you :) x

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate

Morning Floss! Always good to drop in for a visit.

I think that lots of us who have stuck with running through C25k and beyond have a similar outlook. Having the right equipment helps of course; but I am good at making things last. For example, my thin waterproof top is in its 6th year. Ice apart, weather doesn’t stop me. I adopt the same approach to running as I use for swimming. The pool always feels cold on first contact; so I just dive in and get on with it. The critical point on a bad weather day is getting out of the door; after that, it is just about running and knowing, injury apart, that I will feel better at the end of the run than I did when I started…..and my flat white at the cafe is waiting at the finishing line!

Variety helps too, but there is an underlying pattern to my week, which is currently hill run Thursday, speed run Saturday, long run Monday and swim Wednesday with the NRC plan providing the framework. I am still finding ways to improve, increasing pace without increasing effort for example… little things we can change which make a big difference; thanks CB! That developing through attention to detail keeps the little grey cells working.

With the faithful Molly to feed (and walk) getting up isn’t a problem.

So, I keep going, finding ways to live with the things life throws at me. A bit of rain or chill winds really don’t register as a problem do they? Keep on keeping on Floss 🙂

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to Beachcomber66

Hello and welcome to you... good to see you here! Lots of reasons for you to get out... not least of all Molly!

I love the bit about... "I will feel better at the end of it... ! I can so empathise with that! The flat white clearly has it lure for you too!

Variety too,... it can be so good and we discover new things about ourselves and about the world around us too! Little changes yield big surprises, sometimes... CB has led me astray many times:)

. Rain... it is just wet... and there is warmth waiting after that run... Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts.. You are always welcome here :)

SweatyHettie profile image
SweatyHettieGraduate

Good morning Floss, great chat subject and something I have thought about quite a lot as I try to get back into a routine.

What gets me running ? Ebony of course, my four legged motivator. But she only goes if I go so what gets me through that front door? To have some thinking time, to sing along to some bangers and to try and ward off the ravages of time creeping up on me.

I’m not going to lie it’s a lot easier to get out of that door if it’s a calm sunny morning. Like Annieapple, being out in the early morning with nature is something that I love - that and the almost solitude of having the place to myself bar the odd dog walker and fellow runner.

What gets me out the door if it’s rubbish - well sometimes nothing but sometimes just having a word with myself and telling myself I’ll feel better after - and I always do of course. Sometimes we have to be louder than the gremlins.

Mostly just telling myself I don’t have to do it, nobody is making me and to get off my posterior can shut those demons away. I think mind over matter is a big thing with running or any exercise actually. The biggest step is the one over the threshold- after that everything is easy. 😊

Annieapple profile image
AnnieappleAdministratorGraduate in reply to SweatyHettie

🍏❤️Ebony!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to SweatyHettie

Hello... welcome...!

Yes... lots of things to think about.. and one of your reasons for getting out is a beautiful one... Ebony!

She is your friend and your best coach,,, you go and you enjoy... and as you say, you do feel good when you get back too! Even on those not so good days !

Good too, to just say,,, no,,, it is not fit for a run,... I have done that, and I also have a Mr OF who is very keen to keep me safe and dry on very rough weather days!

You are so right,,, our minds,,, we can train them to work for us, even when they may try to work against us!

That first step... yes... and when you are out there... well the only thing is to carry on!

Thank you so much for popping in and sharing your thoughts with us xxx

SweatyHettie profile image
SweatyHettieGraduate in reply to Oldfloss

Oh my goodness having just been out on a date with him this morning how could I forget Coach Bennet ? ❤️ 🤦🏼‍♀️ I’m sure at this exact moment he is questioning the depth of my adoration!

He is the one I turn to if I have made myself go out and those dulcet tones never cease to make it worthwhile. He’s the one I turn to if I want a bit of company on a run and he’s the one who makes me think. A great motivator for me, and lots of others, I know!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to SweatyHettie

Oh yes... remember though. I am of course his best girl! 🤣

SweatyHettie profile image
SweatyHettieGraduate in reply to Oldfloss

🤣 I think there’s a few of us who feel the same! I’m happy to share him with you Floss! 😂

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to SweatyHettie

Thanks xxx👍

Wavy-chick28 profile image
Wavy-chick28Graduate

Running just keeps me sane! As well as fitter what running has done for my mind is amazing.

I had a rough year last year and stopped running for 3months with the encouragement of my husband and family I got back out and immediately felt better.

Had a week off this month due to 5 day trip then back home to look after little one, then a trip to my parents house which is being sold for Dads care home fees it’s been busy !! So just been out nothing fancy but feel a sense of peace that you just can’t get without running 💚

Edge of woodland with purple flowers
Fionamags profile image
FionamagsGraduate

What gets me out? I love a plan so repeating C25K for the nth time has kept me going and champing to tick off those runs. I had a 3week break when I went to Spain cycle touring which broke the habit a bit. I went out when I got back and I think the cycling was great cross training for me as I did another 30 minute run easily and faster than before my hols!

Now the rot has set in a bit as the garden is bursting forth and there is loads to do and lots of distractions. Also, having finished the plan I am drifting a bit. I want to jump back on the Magic Plan and get back to 10k but know that I need to steady the buffs and stay on the shorter runs for a bit. I just need to get on with it - reading run reports on the forum helps to inspire and motivate - that and the sun sparkling on the loch! Right, I’m strapping on those shoes 👞 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

Thanks for coffee!!

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