Looking for the positives👀😊

[Bluebirdrunner]

This month is always a tough one, its dark and grey and not very inspiring.

I always try to join the Quest on the Bridge and was struggling to think of a goal for this month. I waited for a few days and read through everyones targets on the January Jaunt and came across Paulanoo's goal to just run for enjoyment this month without trying to hit targets and to find the joy in every run. This sounded perfect for me too and just what I wanted to acheive this month. Paula was happy to team up and compare notes... we have picked up Lorijay too and maybe Anniemurph?

I have had two runs of 5k this week so far. The first was easy to enjoy, bright blue sky, sunshine. My hubby was off playing golf, so I had plenty of guilt free time to run and read up on the forum. I enjoyed a steady paced run, and although I felt I might want to catch a breath at the halfway mark, by then I was fine and just ran the whole thing getting to 5k with a sprint finish. I then took this photo of this tree stretching its branches into the sky.

Yesterday I seized the opportunity to go for a run in the afternoon. We bowl in a ten pin doubles league on a Thursday morning, and were sitting down after lunch, and I was looking at Strava. Could I go now...why not?

So a few minutes later (minimum faffage ) and I was warming up. It was totally different to Tuesday. Cold and grey and was that rain spits? I had no cap on today😯

Soon running, and doing my favourite route up through the agrecultural college and back. So not a there and back, a round route. Would I do 5k? See how it feels...

I didn't see any birds Paula, but I enjoyed my music and altering my pace with the music. There were students around ( not a weekend) so I kept to the paths and got to the golf club entrance at the bottom of the hill. Only 4k done. Quite tired, could have stopped but thought of others like Flick and ChrisAllen and Sask who push on when it gets tough and dug deep to carry on to do the last kilometre. The positives were I wasn't expecting to get a run in. It didn't rain. I wanted to stop at 4k but didn't....

And not a bad time either...so thats why it was hard.

I hope posting this is helpful to those looking for the positives in their runs...

Happy running! 😊xx

[ChrisAllen1 Graduate10]

Well done Jan, kicking January's butt!!!, I'm doing an inaugural Park Run tomorrow at Alnwick, I'm hoping for a really good atmosphere xx

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to ChrisAllen1]

I hope you are over your cold Chris, and that you have a great Parkrun. It should be well supported, our numbers are growing daily! Enjoy and Good luck 😊xx

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to ChrisAllen1]

Ooh is it in the grounds of the Harry Potter House chrisallen1? I loved it there when visiting a pal.

[ChrisAllen1 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

I think it's there, report tomorrow

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

A lovely post, and a fabulous idea for this month too.... enjoy the running 💥😎

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to ju-ju-]

Thank you Ju Ju. *Seeing* you out running everyday is very motivating, and enjoyment is key for me!😊xxx

[Hidden]

Lovely run Bluebirdrunner and well done for pushing on even though you felt tired. That's a great photo and what a deep blue sky. I went out at lunchtime yesterday for a Nike Run Club Headspace intervals run. The positives were that I got my new watch working with my wifi headphones, so I ran without a phone - bliss. It was a short run but I ran FAST for my 90 second intervals. I was thinking about you when I was stretching as my birds are practicing for the Eurovision song contest - twitter, tweet, cheep. Happy weekend run to you and positive runs for all.

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Yeah, well done Paula. we are doing this.. please write a report of your seaside run this weekend, hopefully I will have squeeked in another one too!

Positive running rocks! 😊xxx

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10]

What a great post and the perfect quest goal for January! January is definitely a tough month for me and I'm back in my motivational slump but am planning on getting out there once the heater repairmen are gone and I've had some breakfast. I'll be thinking of your post and look for positives in this run, for sure!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Hi Allie, I hope you got out for your run and found the positives...what where they?😊

I often think about you when I need to dig deep..'Allie has to run through -18 degrees and snow and trails with mountains'! It makes it easier for me to press on for that extra 500 metres! 😆

Would love to know how you got on today.😊xx

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

I did get out for my run and there were so many positives! I’m planning on writing up a post about it, just haven‘t got to it yet and am waffling between posting it here or the marathon forum (spoiler alert: it was my longest road run ever - just over 16k, which is why I hesitate a bit to post here. It doesn’t quite fit with the bridge to 10k theme). Today was a gorgeous -13, very little wind and SUNSHINE! What?!! Haven’t seen that in a while. There were a few more positives but I’ll leave those for the post. Don’t want to give it all away 😁.

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Sounds amazing! Will look for your post.😄xxx

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

This is perfect for January as it's such a long, grey month and we sometimes forget to run for joy rather than a target. I was thinking about this yesterday funny enough and was reminiscing about my most memorable runs and the vast majority of them are when I've just been exploring and dawdling and taking photos and stopping and starting. And that told me something.

Enjoy your runs in January and beyond Jan🤗 xxx

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you IP, you too, and I hope you are fully better after your cold.😊xx

[Irishprincess Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

👍👍🙂🏃‍♀️

[Hidden]

What a lovely, inspiring post. I think not having a goal except to enjoy the run, and sometimes not having a destination, or letting the plan change, are what keep running alive and fresh. I’m currently reading Vybarr Cregan-Reid’s book Footnotes, and he talks a lot about running for its own sake, running in nature, and experiencing the flow and connection with the landscape that I experience as zen like, the feeling of being one with your surroundings. Thanks for posting this Jan xx

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I draw strength from you and lots of others Flick. Staying positive through the grey winter months, keeping up our running habit and knowing spring will follow, is so important isn't it.

Happy running😊xxx

[Hidden in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

I’m not a winter running person and have to force myself out. I’ve discovered that I would rather have too many layers and sweat than freeze on the first ten minutes - it’s like psyching yourself up to dive into a cold pool xxx

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I think you are a winter running person Flick,😨 you ran every day in December and have carried this on with the odd rest day into January...

So impressed by your commitment. xxx

[Hidden in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thank you 😊 I find now that it feels odd if I don’t run. Far prefer the heat to the cold though. If I don’t go out it’s because I can’t face being cold xxx

[Lorijay Graduate10]

Thank you so very much Bluebird and Hidden for letting me tag along, it was wonderful!

Well done BB, sounds like a lovely run and brilliant pushing through to 5k.

Hope you have a great weekend x

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to Lorijay]

Ah thank you Lorijay, I'm glad to see you have been for a positive run too!

Have a lovely weekend too. Lets see what adventures next week brings😊xx

[Slinkymalinki Graduate10]

Thank you for posting this - I really needed to read it and take a leaf out of your book! Finding the joy in every run and with no fixed agenda is just what I need. I haven't run since Jan 2nd due to a sore ankle. I've since embarked upon a strengthening programme & started back at my weekly yoga & Pilates classes, so feeling physically much better BUT the inclination to run has disappeared! This first week back at work has been exhausting & I think that's my stumbling block. I'm volunteering at Parkrun tomorrow so I'll aim for a slow pootle on Sunday morning perhaps through the woods. Trees always make me feel calm and happy and yours is rather fabulous in the photo! Hope you have lots of lovely January runs. 🙂🏃‍♀️🌲X

[Hidden in reply to Slinkymalinki]

Happy pootling Slinky

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to Slinkymalinki]

Hi Slinkymalinki, Thank you very much.😊

Sorry to hear you've had an injury, I hope your ankle is better now. Volunteering at Parkrun should inspire you, and I hope your Sunday Pootle is positively uplifting and rewarding. Do let us know. More positive posting!

Have a great weekend 😊xx

[Slinkymalinki Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks! My feet (& knees) roll inwards so I often get ankle probs despite exercises & orthotics etc. 🤨 I do enjoy Parkrun volunteering and I'm on tokens tomorrow which is nice, being able to congratulate people on their runs. Have a lovely weekend too!

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Slinkymalinki]

I am sure that volunteering tomorrow will give you some inspiration slinky. Have fun.

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

When I copied dates across to my 2019 calendar I discovered that I started c25k on 5 January 2018 running outside, but because of interruptions including a spa break and a skiing trip I restarted in March. But you could say I’ve reached my first runniversary. I am so glad that I started this journey with you all. What a difference it has made to my life.

[Slinkymalinki Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Oh! Happy runniversary!! You've achieved so much in a year - thought you'd been going for longer! Isn't it amazing how a simple thing like the freedom of running can change your life so much? And this great forum certainly restores your faith in the kindness and support of virtual strangers who are more like old friends! Wishing you many more years of happy runs. X 🏃‍♀️👏🎉

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Slinkymalinki]

Thanks so much slinky. Yes it makes you want to shout it from the rooftops- we love running!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Happy first Runniversary Dexy... definitely something to celebrate!

I love that we have all come through the c25k program, and totally understand each other and the wonder of becoming a Runner... Go us!

I believe a lovely celebratory run is in order....😊xx

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

I guess that was my parkrun today Bluebirdrunner. We had over 500 today, a record I think. The word seems to be getting around - running is great fun. I’m not sure I thought that when I tried W1 R1. 5k seemed an impossible target then.

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10]

Lovely photo Jan...your posts are always inspiring. I know me n Sadie got back just as you were about to go and I was grumbling about the time of day....but you nailed this one, as always...just running for the sake and enjoyment of running is sheer pleasure...well done Jan xxx

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to Mummycav]

It was 'seeing' your run that helped me get moving MummyCav. Its so motivating when you know others are doing their runs, and I really wanted to join the fun. Keep going lovely Bev, we are all rooting for you, and very impressed that you ran at the wrong time of day, because it was a run day and you were running! Unstoppable!😊xxx

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Aw that's a lovely thing to say Jan...it helps so much knowing that we're all here cheering each other on, taking each other out and encouraging each other to get out, even when we don't always feel like it...I so want to succeed this time, so if it's run day and i see a window of opportunity, then I'm off!!! Happy weekend Jan, my lovely friend xxx

[DebJogsOn]

A great reminder for us all about not losing the joy when we're chasing other goals. Just enjoyed reading SaskAlliecat 's post of her run inspired by this - definitely ready to be up and out there myself now 😊.

[Anniemurph Graduate10]

Yes, I'm here! What a lovely post, thank you

My positive is the amount of support I received on my post yesterday. I am humbled and astonished by the kindness from people on this forum. I am so inspired I am all porridged up and about to go to Parkrun! I will report back later

[Millsie-J in reply to Anniemurph]

Well done Annie, enjoy x

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to Anniemurph]

Thats great Annie! Will look for that report!😊xxx

[Crawlhome Graduate10]

Thanks for writing such an inspirational post and beautiful picture bluebirdrunner.

I've really embraced winter running, it's especially wonderful when the sun's out and I enjoy easier breathing and not being a sweaty mess at the end too!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to Crawlhome]

Those sunny days definately lift the spirits and make it easier to get out of the door don't they...

'Especially wonderful'...love it!👌

Thank you Crawlhome and Happy winter running !😊xx

[grumpyoldgirl]

Bluebird, what a brilliant post, I'm trying to be positive too. Forced myself out on a parkrun today. Can't say it was fun, but I felt great when I finished! 😁

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

Ha, well done grumpyoldgirl...that's definately a positive then!😊xx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Fine friend I am!! I missed this post...!

All the new Graduates taking up the time

This is a wonderful post.. and so inspiring!!!

A beautiful photograph and a great run too...Blue sky is just right for our dear Bluebird Runner....

Running for pure joy! Just perfect...

I shall after reading this, try very hard not lose sight of the joy, during my HM training...

Thank you my friend! xxx

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Ha, don't worry Floss, I know you are so busy polishing those Graduate badges this month...

We are looking for the positives, not raining would be a good one for you at the moment! Hope your next run is a good'un...

Fingers crossed for you.😊xxx