This is NOT a Floss Ramble... it is a Floss ... - Bridge to 10K

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This is NOT a Floss Ramble... it is a Floss Ode.... just because I was fed up and wanted to write one !

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate
72 Replies

Last year... I wrote an extremely wonderful ode to the Beast from The East.... ( well I thought it was good anyway) Some of my friends did too 🤣

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

This year... the smaller brother arrived...Dennis... aptly named.... more of him anon!

I managed a run this morning... Despite reading of the daring exploits of many of you who braved the ferocious storm, yesterday was far too windy for this old snail and the rain far too torrential.... I did set out, yesterday, but was soaked through after 1 K, the wind was throwing me around, and not wishing to rekindle the head cold of the last week,I returned home and did 30 minutes intensive work on my treadmill... but today... it seemed less boisterous...so out I went.

No rain... and what seemed like a fresh breeze...out into the morning and up the hill... lots and lots of storm damage. There were small twiggy branches... larger branches and a lot of debris underfoot...the fresh breeze seemed stronger here and made the going a tad heavy. I have been running 5 minute run and 1 minute walk sessions since coming back from my injury... they are fun and they are quite speedy...:)

Up I went... through a lot of puddles of varying depths, dodging loose branches and jumping over the larger ones...less like a run, more like an obstacle race really :)

I think I must make a comical sight as I jump and bound along... multicoloured leggings, my balaclava under my cap, an old lady performing some kind of ritualistic dance:) It is a really good job that most folk are still in bed:)

A distinct lack of human life...and the breeze getting stronger by the minute, so, I turned into the relative shelter of the Aerodrome estate and cut through, to get home quicky...deserted alley ways and walk throughs... Sunday sleepers.... the playground deserted and a little sinister, with the swings moving in the strengthening wind...the chains whispering ghostly secrets to the overhanging trees. Children's playgrounds, likes schools, when devoid of their occupants, have a peculiar mystery, that hovers eerily and unseen around them.

Quickening my step, I felt the first drops of rain on my face... and as I turned out back onto the road... a gust of wind buffeted me to one side. Getting home was not as simple as heading out, and as I do not carry a lot of weight, I felt myself almost falling a few times... my last K was as a result, a lot speedier than the first K. Apart from a slight incident with a peevish Pekingese dog and a neglectful owner...I made home as the rain reached drenching point!

But ! The point of my post... is of course....my Ode to ...

The Pest from the West

*

The Beast from the East

On a rampaging feast

In years past filled the skies with his roars.

Now the Pest from the West

Is doing his best

To keep all us runners indoors...

*

The wind and the rain

Flung with might and with main

Are set to stop us as we run.

The force of the gale

Makes us certain to fail

As this pest puts an end to our fun.

*

But we've been here before

We've heard this creature's roar

And we all know just what we must do

Through thick and through thin

We will never give in

The Pest's downfall is long overdue!

*

If it's safe and with care

We'll head out so beware

You Pest, we're not easily swayed

We'll stay strong on our path

In your face we'll just laugh

You'll see of what strength we are made!

*

Spring, yes it's coming

And we'll still be running

Despite dark days, the gales and that rain

Until then we'll run

As we wait for the sun

And you Beast,are thwarted again

*

If you are out running , do take care, there are some sneaky squalls still around, and as we all know, the runs do wait :)

Floss x

PS

The photo is of some Snowdrops in my garden...they are all out...braving the elements... little harbingers of Spring :)

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Oldfloss profile image
Oldfloss
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72 Replies
linda9389 profile image
linda9389Graduate10

❤❤❤

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to linda9389

Yeay.... I have a fan.... for the poem.... what I wrote:) ( Ernie Wise) .

linda9389 profile image
linda9389Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss

😍😍😍 ahh, memories!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to linda9389

My father absolutely adored them! Happy memories for me:)

linda9389 profile image
linda9389Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss

I remember mum & dad watching and laughing every weekend too 😍

davelinks profile image
davelinksGraduate10 in reply to Oldfloss

Remember my mum & dad going to see them at The Fairfield Halls Croydon c1974

They still make me laugh now, especially the Andre Previn effort..

Some great comics from the 70s Inc The 2 Ronnie's.. 😂

This has reminded me..

Last weekend I went to see the Some Mothers do Ave em farce starring Joe Pasqualy (the guy with the squeaky voice) playing Frank Spencer which he played very well, me an my wife were near to tears with laughter! as we're the supporting cast. As you can imagine by the end of the show the stage set scenery had near enough been inhilated! 🤣

lexi6 profile image
lexi6Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss

How about a burst of Morecambe and Wise “Bring me Sunshine” They always made me laugh.

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate10

Very good post from you Floss, I like that, the Pest from the West. 😊 🏃🏾 👍

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to AlMorr

I was so fed up with the rain and hail today... I needed a little ode writing! xx

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate10 in reply to Oldfloss

Awful flooding in parts of Wales.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to AlMorr

Dreadful...very frightening...the power of Nature.

Debston profile image
DebstonGraduate10

Thwarting the Beast / Pest, one step at a time! Great poem Floss and a welcome reminder that Spring is just within touching distance now. ☺

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Debston

We are made of strong stuff , we folk.... and together we can achieve anything:) xxx

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10

Brilliant Floss! ❤️

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to cheekychipmunks

Thanks you... these dark days need a bit of laughter don't they :)

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to Oldfloss

They sure do! I walked Flossie at Ashton Court today and was happy to see that runners pretty much outnumbered dog walkers today. Runners are tougher than the general public, but we still need cheering up with odes like yours!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to cheekychipmunks

Thanks you... It keeps me going too, through my own dark days.... :) xxx

Buddy34 profile image
Buddy34Graduate10

Great post Oldfloss and spring can't come quick enough 😊😊

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Buddy34

It si most definitely on it's way... my Daffies are simply bursting to get out there:) xx

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss

My daffs are out already - far too early, but it has been mild down here this winter.

Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate10

Ha ha, the Pest from the West has flooded my garden and blown down some fence panels... but the water will soak away, the fence will be mended and I will run again !

Love your poetic writing as ever Floss!

The spring flowers are acoming too!

Well done for your blustery gallop today😊xxx

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner

Oh gosh!!

A few panels around us too and dustbins a plenty! But it will sort and we shall have sunny days shan't we :) Thanks you xxx

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10

Wonderful Oldfloss. I’m glad you got out for the 2nd time with more success.

Just like the Beast from the East, the Pest from the West sent me to the dreadmill this morning. I got very hot in the gym and I think a run along the prom in the drizzle during that hour may have been preferable. But then the gales and the torrential rain returned and we battened down the hatches again.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Dexy5

Stay safe...it won't be for long..it gave me time to work out a good programme...still learning to fly my machine.

A run along the prom though...sounds tempting xxx

scotinexile profile image
scotinexile

I loved your ode,, Floss. Keep safe everyone.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to scotinexile

Definitely.., fun yes, but safe always :) x

Mum22boys profile image
Mum22boysGraduate10

Loved reading this. The early, small and few signs of spring are keeping us all going x

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Mum22boys

They do and don't we need it... with inclement weather and seasonal illness... eek.... Nature is a terrific support in so, so many ways. Hope you are okay too :)

Mum22boys profile image
Mum22boysGraduate10 in reply to Oldfloss

First run in 9 days this evening... just took it nice and slow... can't wait to run in day light... although I noticed it was light at tea time tonight 👍

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Mum22boys

Good.. .slow is fine...and yes..a tad lighter every dayx

lexi6 profile image
lexi6Graduate10

Lovely ode Old Floss xx

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to lexi6

Ha ha.... such fun and a little jaunt in the bargain :)

Liz-is-trying profile image
Liz-is-trying

Thank you OF. Loved your post and ode! I had wonderful images of you galloping around as if going round a mini Grand National course! X

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Liz-is-trying

I love that... and I think I probably did resemble a small colourful pony leaping round... Thank you!

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate1060minGraduate

Good morning, it’s still squally out there as i head to work, dark and cold, I should run but no, the car beckons

I just love to read your posts which put a smile on my face and how clever the ode

Snowdrops are beautiful and let us know the dark days of winter are going at last

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to SueAppleRun

Sensible... not desirable but sensible... do take care. I need to ramble more... but the lack of runs has hind erred that somewhat! I did borrow some lines from my Beast from the East post too :)

Those snowdrops.. small white beacons of hope!

Do take care and have a super day :) x

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate1060minGraduate in reply to Oldfloss

Thank you the day is done and houseful of little ones when i got home now to relax and recharge, will it ever stop raining?

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to SueAppleRun

Still raining here, and we have had hail! x

Jell6 profile image
Jell6Graduate10

Odefloss has been at it again. Just what I needed 😘

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Jell6

Ha ha.. yes, I am slowly finding my ramble voice again... thanks you...hope all is well xx

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate10

Lovely post.... I for one really enjoy the exhilaration of running in storms, but I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. 😎

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to ju-ju-

You are the lovely storm maiden Ju !

I enjoy the rain and some wind, but the gusts on Saturday would have carried me away.... I need weighted running shoes:) Thanks you. You have fun and take good care:)

Martin_Peagam profile image
Martin_PeagamGraduate10

Wonderful!

And so inspirational!

Thank you!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Martin_Peagam

A bit of Floss fun.. lifting a grey day... and I did actually mange a run! Thank you!

Raspberrypink profile image
RaspberrypinkGraduate10

Thanks for this. Brought a smile to my face. Hope you all manage to get your runs in this week

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Raspberrypink

I needed a smile myself and doing this made me laugh... I hope folk do too... the storms and some weather can be so dramatic and running in rain can be terrific fun... as long as folk take care. Thank you!

Jazzyrunner profile image
JazzyrunnerGraduate10

Love it! And the snowdrops too, how they lift my spirits when I see their beautiful dainty but strong heads pushing through!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Jazzyrunner

Just a bit of fun and yes... the snowdrops do have that effect don't they?

I always think of them as small warriors... just battling through frost and snow...like the daffodils that shut off in the middle if growing... hiding until the frosts pass and then waking up again... Nature is incredible!

Jazzyrunner profile image
JazzyrunnerGraduate10 in reply to Oldfloss

Small warriors, I like that! Happy running to you, Floss x

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Jazzyrunner

You too my friend !

madmother profile image
madmotherGraduate10

Excellent! You are talented!

I managed a 30 min run yesterday morning and though it was really muddy and the paths flooded in places, I was dry. However, managed to choose the sunny spell right before the hail and thunder to walk the dog, so I got soaked then instead!!! Pesky weather!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to madmother

We had hail and thunder too... such odd weather generally...I am glad that you managed to get out and stay dry, even though you and dog got wet later... it did come down !

I was holed up inside then and needed to cheer myself up.. thank you x

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10

Thanks Floss, and take that pest from the west! Poems are very powerful things. Your Remembrance Day reflection in November prompted me to apply for the Arctic Star for my late dad. He served on a cruiser, HMS Jamaica, protecting Arctic convoys to Murmansk. The medal arrived last week and now sits between his Atlantic and Burma Stars. My sister and I felt really touched by it; a link to part of Dad’s life he rarely discussed and never mentioned unprompted. Given he was only 13 years old in 1939, so 19 when peace came, maybe it is not surprising that he kept his counsel. We expected a lot of young of young people in those days. Anyway, your words inspired me to apply; thank you so much x

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Beachcomber66

That is so wonderful... I am truly honoured that I had a tiny part in your actions. How proud you must be of your father and how proud he would be of you. :)

It is I, who thank you x

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss

Thanks Floss. English lit was one of my A levels. There was a time when my head was full of quotes and whole poems, and WW1 was one of the main topics, so your Rembrance Day reflection fell on fertile soil.😊

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Beachcomber66

Me too.... The War Poets..learned, as were all the quotes for any plays, by heart...no texts in the exam room...

I thoroughly enjoyed English Lit, I adored my teacher, but really disliked one of the war poems... The Naming of Parts...by Henry Reed, I still remember the afternoons we discussed it... they were on a Friday and it always seemed to be raining!

Now Wordsworth and The Prelude.... I absolutely devoured:)

How wonderful that this running brings us so close to like minded friends xx

Slinkymalinki profile image
SlinkymalinkiGraduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66

Gosh what a poignant post! I didn't know you could apply for medals like that - a lovely tribute to your dad. How wonderful that this forum can inspire us in other areas of our non running lives!

I did Eng Lit, French & German A Levels. I loved & was saddened by the war poets in equal measures and coming from Cambridge spent many happy times in the Rupert Brooke pub in Granchester reading his letters & poems on the walls. 🙂

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply to Slinkymalinki

This medal was first issued in 2012/13 when many of those who qualified (including my father) were no longer with us. So it is unusual. Luckily, following a train of thought inspired by Floss, I found Dad’s original service record and number and there was an application form which google found for me.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Beachcomber66

My husband is trying to do this for my father...fitting tributes to our brave men xx

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Slinkymalinki

It is so touching and humbling x

Slinkymalinki profile image
SlinkymalinkiGraduate10

Thank you for sharing your uplifting ode and beautiful photo! I always feel gloomy this time of year when Spring is desperately trying to emerge but is somewhat thwarted by the elements. This has really cheered me up. 😊

Weather, late nights home & a head cold with earache have meant a 10 day break from running so the flamingo son has had a temporary break in the middle of week 5. Time to let the lovely Michael Johnson encourage us back into a routine!

Lastly, I thoroughly approve of your running dress code - there are many crazy ladies who run with you in colourful, cosy solidarity! I will be wearing funky red/turquoise leggings with peacocks curving up my legs, a bright yellow jacket, buff and black/pink ear/head band thingy later! 😁

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Slinkymalinki

Yeayayayyaya Strutting our stuff !

I am so glad it cheered you up... these dark days are long enough.. we all need a smile:)

Head colds... poof! I have still got the tail,end of mine... and Mr OF is really suffering!

I really hope you are feeling better now... and have enjoyed your run! xxx

Slinkymalinki profile image
SlinkymalinkiGraduate10 in reply to Oldfloss

Still bunged up with earache but I went out with the flamingo in the wind and sunshine☀️🌪️😁. We both conceded that it was tough but much needed.

Rewarded myself with a hot cross bun & accidental book purchases from a new charity book shop I happened upon. Best day in a long while! Little pleasures.... 📖☕♥️

roseabi profile image
roseabi

That's my Poet Lady! ❤️❤️❤️

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to roseabi

No escaping me xxx

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate10

Another wonderful post from a wonderful runner...and a wonderful poet who just captures everything with words xxx

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Mummycav

Thank you my wonderful friend... I really hope you are keeping above the water... and are all safe and well xxx

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate10 in reply to Oldfloss

We are thank you Oldfloss ...it’s sad to see the devastation but people are pulling together and generally being kind which is lovely to see, I’m sure my duck friends down by the canal have enjoyed the weather, well, maybe not the wind but def the water, I will be down there with them again soon to share their beautiful surroundings xxx

Comfortnotspeed profile image
ComfortnotspeedGraduate10

Nothing like a good ode.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Comfortnotspeed

Absolutely true!

mom24uk profile image
mom24uk

What a clever girl you are! 😍 The ode is brilliant as is the tale of your run 👏

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to mom24uk

I lobe rambling... and when I get outside it can become a really long ramble... :) x

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