Snakes & Ladders, and snakes...running is just a game 😃

There’s been a distinct lack of sunshine in North Norfolk in the last week but the good news is that despite lots of fog and overnight rain all the tracks are finally drying out so I should have a few more options for my latest re-start....which was this morning.

Despite the drizzle and mist my energy and motivation turned up early and off we went, starting at the beginning, Week 1 Run 1 of my HM plan, again 🙄

As I trundled along at probably my slowest pace ever, enjoying my slow run time playlist, (Who knows where the time goes Nancy Griffiths, Trouble in the Fields Maura O’Connell & Landslide Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham) I decided that running was just like a game of Snakes and Ladders, so should be fun right? 😆

I reflected on how before Christmas I’d made my way up to the top half of the board and had my sights on the finish line, the dice was rolling well, I was going to win, yay 😀 .

Do you remember those inner groans when you landed on that long slippery snake? Just when you thought you’d win! First it was knees, then the sick bed, followed by a week of snow and ice. Last week I landed on a small ladder but it only took me up 2 rungs before, you guessed it, another horrid snake ( in the guise of a painful hip) reared it’s ugly head, out of nowhere! My board is full of snakes, who stole all the ladders?

After another week on the IC my hip improved and so here I am back at the beginning, Run 1 complete, in Siberia of all places, who would have thought 😃 At the same time I’ve clocked up more than 500 miles on my way to John O’ Groats but its in my real world, playing snakes and ladders, where all the fun is at!

It was my first run down to the sea in ages, deserted on account of the murk, high tide was slapping the promenade and trying to throw cold water on me. No chance. Despite the huge clumps of Clay and Flint flung in my path by the eroding cliffs and killer hill up ahead I had landed on a ladder and was climbing again and it was pure delight, thrilling. Would someone bottle that moment.

So, whether you’re on a ladder or sliding down a slippery snake, keep smiling, it’s all just a game.

🐍🤗

[dijep Graduate10]

Brilliant post 👏👍😊

That's exactly what it's like 🏃‍♀️😊

Sounds like you not only climbed a ladder today but truly conquered it.

A little glimpse of the sun for me out gardening today ☀️ off course its gone again now.

Oh how I long to see the 🌊

[Hidden in reply to dijep]

I knew you’d understand, I guess we keep playing and rolling the dice, it’s worth it for the good times. Glad you had a peak of sunshine, every little helps, the sea will be in sight again sometime this Summer 🤗

[Frenc Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Well done jorgeRuns! What a great post, love the snakes and ladders analogy. Yes, I will definitely keep on smiling 😀. Happy running 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️👏🏼👍.

[Hidden in reply to Frenc]

Hello Frenc, thank you 🙏 🤗

[Fionamags Graduate10]

This is such a great metaphor for running! I can visualise the Board as our forum - with some of our VRBs zooming up ladders, others slipping down snakes - still others waiting their turn to play... Marvellous! Key to it all is our intention to move 😉🏃‍♀️🏃

[Hidden in reply to Fionamags]

Yes, intention is sooooo important, I think the secret is to keep playing, not to turn the board over in a huff when things don’t go our way 😃🤗

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Well done jorgeruns, a lovely pic. I’m pleased to hear that you’ve found a ladder today . 🪜

[Hidden in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy, one of those days when you know you should keep running, through all the ups and downs 🤗

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Loved reading that! I seem to be moving forward one step at time, waiting to see if i get a snake or a ladder

[Hidden in reply to SueAppleRun]

Yes of course I’d forgotten that, thats how the game can come out sometimes, you don’t get any great strides up or down but one step at a time you’re moving up, and always in the game. 🤗

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Hidden]

Exactly that, we plod in through winter and hope for a ladder in spring

[PeggySusi]

Lovely post Jorgeruns - glad to hear you had such a good run.. all we need is to keep playing the game when we can at the moment.. I got my first vaccine yesterday - that gives hope for staying in the game.. Your post goes to show how much more we appreciate the ladders after we’ve met a few snakes..😊

[Hidden in reply to PeggySusi]

Hello PeggySusi, thank you, you’re so right, keep on playing that’s the key, me and Mr J had our first jab today too, what amazing progress has been made there, ...and yes those ladders aren’t they just great, next it’s to learn to take those snakes in our stride, or should that be slide 😆, we won’t panic, we’ll just say ‘well hello there, another snake, here we go again, weeeeee......’ 🤣🤗

[Allbarron 60minGraduate]

Thank you for such a wonderful post!! It's been some time since I ran due to sliding down the snake with knee pain. I was really beginning to think I wouldn't get back but thanks to your honest and humorous perspective I think there may be hope. Good luck on your HM journey and may your path be filled with lots of lovely long ladders.

,🙏🙏🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃🐍

[Hidden in reply to Allbarron]

Thanks Allbarron and I’m sorry you’ve been having a tough time with your knees, they really are pesky little blighters, small but can have quite an impact. I’m trying to improve my overall muscle strength through daily yoga to try to protect my knees more, I don’t know how far I will get and am no longer interested in how fast, as long as I can keep running at all I’ll be happy. Good luck getting back onto the ladder and stay hopeful 🤗

[Allbarron 60minGraduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks jorgeRuns I did do yoga for the whole of January but have let that slip. You are right, the knees give a lot of pain for a small part of the body. After your post I'm going to give myself a shake and see if it's just mind over matter. Onwards and upwards eh?

[Hidden in reply to Allbarron]

Just a gentle little shake mind 😉, remember to keep breathing lots of love in, let us know how you get on 🤗

[lexi6 Graduate10]

Fab post Jorge, here’s to more ladders 👍 😊

[Hidden in reply to lexi6]

Here here Lexi, 🤗

[CBDB Graduate10]

Brilliant post! That sounds so much like what my regular running is like! 👏👍🏽

And yes, sometimes it’s like “who stole all my ladders“! I am currently trying to finish the magic plan..... since before Xmas! Moving back and forwards between weeks 4 and 6! Just too many snakes in that section! 🐍🪜🐍🐍🪜🐍

[Hidden in reply to CBDB]

Thanks CBDB, sounds like you have the same board as me 🤣 it took me ages to get over that bridge but boy o boy it was sheer joy the day I ran my first 10k, in all it was 10 months from Couch to 10k, when we work hard for something the rewards are huge 🤗

[Juliet202 Graduate10]

Great image of our life/running journey ! I’m worried I’ll end up dreaming of climbing rope ladders though.... Now I’m wondering if there’s a monopoly analogy or poker !! Mwah ha ha ! 🤨

[Hidden in reply to Juliet202]

Ah now there’s a challenge Juliet, wouldn’t that be fun, just imagine our biceps 💪😆

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Juliet202]

Why is it always the second prize in the beauty contest? 🤣

(Do not collect £200.)

[Hidden in reply to nowster]

🤣good point nowster, I won 3rd prize once at Butlins, 6 years old! 😆

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

Great post Jorge. I have used the same metaphor in the past. The ladders are the great folk on this forum who keep us going when we are down and the physios who patch us up when we falter. I seem to have been in an adder infested patch since last May really, with some good but short ascents in between .... but we keep going!🙂

[Hidden in reply to Beachcomber66]

😁 I can imagine that board Beachcomber66, with extra drawings of folks helping haul us up, additional cards with free physio appointments that allow you to move 2 extra spaces. Maybe someone artistic can make us a HU version 😆🤗

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Steep upward hills where you have a number deducted from the dice throw and the reverse for downhill....and a cafe with flat white and brownie at the end..possibilities are endless 😂

[Clh232]

So very true, thank you for posting. I'm new to all this and hit my first snake recently after the bad weather which knocked my confidence but I'm back on the ladder and it's slowly coming back together with each run

[Hidden in reply to Clh232]

Well hello and welcome Clh232, ( love your profile description btw). I know what you mean, when first meeting these pesky running snakes it’s a blow for sure but when you get to know them it’ll start to feel a whole lot better, you’ll be taking them in your ‘slide’ in no time. Let us all know how you’re getting on 🤗

[Clh232 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you!

[Blossom- 60minGraduate]

Oh what a description! Love it! Yes I've been up and down those ladders and snakes for the last couple of months. I'm on the bottom rungs of a ladder now 😊 and intention is there in bucket loads (think window cleaner climbing up with bucket and chamois, that's me) haha! Good luck with HM plan🤞😃

[Hidden in reply to Blossom-]

Great image Blossom, I like the idea of your bucket full of intention, onwards and upwards we go 🤗

[58soon Graduate10]

Hey jR! As so many others on here, loved reading your post. Rings so true, and definitely good to remember not to turn the board over in a huff!!

I've had too many days off this week (ie. haven't run at all) so you've inspired me to get out there no matter what!

Will be thinking of all you VRB's out there!

😍

[Hidden in reply to 58soon]

Thanks 58soon, enjoy your run, keep rolling that dice, eventually you’ll throw a double 6 😁hopefully at the end of May,..I haven’t heard any news on the vitality London 10k yet so hoping it will still go ahead 🤗

[58soon Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Yes - I really do hope the Vitality 10k goes ahead. I still haven't hit the 10k mark yet, so I need that as my goal. Fingers crossed! Would be great to actually meet some VRBs!

[Hidden in reply to 58soon]

It’s a great goal, definitely looking forward to running with Real Running Buddies 🤗

[59er Graduate10]

What an encouraging post jorgeRuns. I can relate to it as I have just stepped back on to the first rung of Ju-ju's Magic Plan again! Went out and did the longest run first and slowed my pace down too. Also managed to combine the run with my (not)Parkrun so was able to post my time too! Unfortunately I don't live near the sea because that looks totally exhilerating.

I shall now be thinking of it all as a game of snakes and ladders which somehow makes it even MORE fun. Happy climbing - happy running!

[Hidden in reply to 59er]

that’s great 59er, glad to hear you’re back on the bridge, slowing down just makes the game and the fun last longer 😆🤗

[Hidden]

Thank you 😊

[JulieByf]

I really enjoyed reading your snakes and ladder analogy. It made me feel better because that's kind of happening to me. I hope your world is full of ladders in future.

[Hidden in reply to JulieByf]

Hello JulieByf, glad it helped, you are not alone, so many of us here face the same setbacks so do keep going, most injuries can be dealt with eventually and it’s sooooo worth the struggle for the rewards up ahead. I see you’ve had knee troubles, how are you getting on? 🤗

[JulieByf in reply to Hidden]

Not too bad thank you. I'm doing some exercises recommended but I'm not sure if they are helping yet. I'm only doing very short runs at the moment as I have found it's the longer runs that aggravate it. I may try a longer run in a week or so. If it continues I will try to visit the doctor and see what they say, although at the moment its impossible to see a doctor and I feel like my knee is hardly important enough to take up their time.

[Hidden in reply to JulieByf]

I’ve found the same, since extending my miles so I’ve been doing strengthening exercises and no long runs. It’s tricky with GPs isn’t it, you should though be able to get them to refer you for physio if private physio isn’t possible. Good luck with it, we will get there 😃🤗

[JulieByf in reply to Hidden]

Cheers! I've just come back from a short run and I think that the knee problem may come from the fact that I sit slightly to the left. If I drive any distance my left hip is always a bit niggly as I tend to lean a bit to the left side and it is my left knee that is the main problem. I will eventually try to get referred to a physio, I would like to try and go for longer runs, but in the meantime I will also keep up the strengthening exercises. Happy running and thanks again.

[Hidden in reply to JulieByf]

You’re welcome, slowly does it 🤗