A short run for the soul ❄️☀️🏃‍♀️😊

[Jools2020]

Well, hello again my VRBs! 👋

I confess ….. it’s been almost 3 weeks since my last run. First, I was advised by my dentist not to run for at least a week after a tooth extraction. Then, like often happens, ‘stuff’ overwhelmed me. Yesterday was possibly the culmination when I had to speak to two lots of solicitors, two different financial advisers, the estate agent, a surveyor and a removals company all in one day! I just wanted to go into hibernation.

I told my lovely VRB Instructor57 that I would try and run this morning. Thanks for the little push, Ian, it was exactly what I needed!

What a beautiful morning I chose! For me, the perfect running weather. Frost on the ground, no wind, sun shining. I was dressed for it, running tights, long sleeved top, lightweight jacket, neck buff and my cosy running gloves. Topped off with my trademark sun visor, of course! Quick check in the mirror and although a little tired and worn round the edges - still gorgeous!

On my warm up walk I played Queen’s ‘It’s a Beautiful Day’ to get me in the mood. Oh yes, Freddie - it really is 😊

I start to run. It feels great - I decide at the last minute not to record it today. My pace seems faster than usual, but I’m not surprised; I’ve had a long break, the weather conditions are perfect and my legs want to go! I continue running without pushing myself. It feels like a long time since I ran my familiar route. I idly wonder how many more times I’ll be running this route before I move.

I see a few familiar faces. The man walking loads of Golden Retrievers and a Springer Spaniel gives me a cheerful wave and a thumbs up as we pass each other on opposite sides of the street. I recognise a few runners and a couple of walkers, one of whom I see for a second time later on in the run.

I run on, breathing under control, relaxed and enjoying the morning. I pay attention to my form, not difficult when you’re taking it easy.

At the T-junction I turn left for the shorter run. I don’t speed up today, just continue at the same steady pace and then my run is over. Home for coffee ☕️ 😊

My next run probably won’t be until the middle of next week. I’m hoping to get my booster vaccination tomorrow at a walk-in centre, so I’ll follow advice and rest for a few days.

Hope you enjoy this beautiful running weather! 😊👍

[Bontobpat]

Glad to read your post Jools. You have had so much life stuff happening. I haven’t run (should I even call them runs these days as I haven’t got back to regular 3 times a week for about 3 months now) for about 10 days. However I am away down south on a caravan trip and the weather is so much cooler than my home, so tomorrow morning I will be out there too. Good luck with your move…and your booster.

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Bontobpat]

Thank you - yes, life has been a bit overwhelming, but I do have people to support me 😊. I’m usually very organised and methodical, so that helps. Hope you manage to get a run or two in where it’s cooler 🤞

[nowster Graduate10]

Welcome back, Jools!

Today was a walk day for me. Very autumnal. Misty, damp and cold this morning. I had been expecting to see frost as it had dipped below freezing overnight.

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Thanks, nowster! I just LOVE running when it’s colder. It wasn’t misty this morning as we are quite elevated here, I saw that the town in the valley was shrouded in mist for a while.

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

So good to see this Jools2020 ! 😁👍I hope things start to settle for you soon !

But glad to hear you enjoyed it t !

Im actually sat at the local leasure center car park waiting for a pupil , it's mad Friday on the roads around here 😐

I would be better off running 😁

Take it easy after your booster jab, mine will be next Friday ! 😁👍

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

Thanks, Ian. It’s a shame when work interferes with running! The roads are busy everywhere on Fridays for sure .

[Birdlady64 Graduate10]

So nice to see this post Julia. Well done on your tech free run for the soul!👍😁Im still not running and not been on here much for a while now but have been looking out for you

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Thanks, Diane. Is your injury still playing up? It’s been many weeks!

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

Alas yes. It's so frustrating. The osteopath has taken things as far as she can so I'm now looking at GP referral. Goodness knows how long that will take.

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Oh dear, how disappointing! Fingers crossed you’ll soon get some answers.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

Thanks. Yes let's hope so.

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10]

Sounds like you enjoyed that run!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

It was wonderful and of course I’m still basking in the feel-good factor that you get afterwards. Why on earth did I leave it for so long? I always ask myself that after a break that isn’t due to injury!

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate10]

Good to read your post. I was just thinking this week that I hadn’t seen one of your posts for a while. Glad you got a bit of ‘me time’ to get out there 😀It certainly is good for the soul. I was out myself this morning after a tiring week at work, doing a deliciously slow 9k on this cold but bright sunny day. Just glorious 😊

Wishing you many more great runs in the weeks ahead

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Frizzbomb67]

Oh I really wanted to do a longer run, it was so glorious out there - but I had to get back as I needed the loo 😂

Thank you Frizzbomb 😊👍

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

😂😂 Typical!

[Frenc Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Ah yes, I remember all those solicitor, finance, estate agent talks. They are draining to put it mildly, so well done, and give yourself a massive pat on the back 😊👋. A run would have been just the ticket and I agree, today is a super day to run! And hurrah for Freddie ⭐️⭐️⭐️.

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Frenc]

Thank you, Frenc! Yes, it’s all going on here, for sure 😊. Love listening to Queen while running!

[Frenc Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Jools2020]

Me too - Radio Ga Ga gets me going! 😊

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Frenc]

Ooh yes, definitely! And ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ 😊

[Runninggirl59 60minGraduate]

Great to see your post Jools. Flippin eck, you've got loads going on at the moment no wonder running has had to take a back seat. Hope all goes OK with the move, you will have fun finding a new favourite route. Keep on running 🏃‍♀️

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Runninggirl59]

I know! I’m a few weeks yet away from moving, but it could all happen really quickly as it’s just me and the sellers, who are moving into an empty house. Fortunately today is a bit quieter and I haven’t heard from anybody so far 😊

[Runninggirl59 60minGraduate in reply to Jools2020]

Shouldn't take too long with no chain. Hopefully in for Christmas. Good luck !😀

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Runninggirl59]

Thank you, I hope so! I can see myself shopping for new decorations!

[Runninggirl59 60minGraduate in reply to Jools2020]

Very exciting 🎄

[Roxdog Graduate10]

How wonderful and sometimes a break can give you a sense of freshness and gratitude for running! Sounds lovely and good luck with the house move!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Roxdog]

I know exactly what you mean. It seems that sometimes a break is a good idea! Thanks, Roxdog 🙏

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10]

After 3 weeks and a full on day yesterday Jools, today’s run sounds like a joy! Hope the booster jab goes well and enjoy your next run whenever that may be!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Oldgirlruns]

Ooh, it was a joy! Thank you. Now that the weather is going my way, I want to get back to it. I’m definitely a cold weather runner. The sweaty look is not for me, it ruins my hair!

[Maz1103 Graduate10]

I've only done 2 runs in 2 weeks and feel like I've lost my mojo a bit. Too dark to go before work, too tired after work. Rain too torrential last weekend... determined to have a good one tomorrow!!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Maz1103]

I’m not a fan of running in the rain (or wind!). Fortunately I’m not working at the moment. I don’t think I have ever gone for a run in the afternoon or evening, but I have tried in early autumn/winter mornings, setting out about 30 minutes before dawn with my chest torch!

Easy to lose our mojos when there are so many reasons not to run.

[Maz1103 Graduate10]

I'd be too nervous to go in the dark here... not many streetlights and an old morgue on my route ... although going past there usually produces the quickest times 🤣

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Maz1103]

Haha! Yes, maybe go in the dark past the morgue if you’re after a PB!

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Maz1103]

One of my routes takes me past a house called Rose Cottage. Medical staff will raise a wry smile at that one.

[LottieMW Ambassador in reply to nowster]

Yes! 😂

[Raisemeup 60minGraduate]

Well Don Jools for getting out after a break, it's like removing a barrier. I did 5k yesterday first time for 10 days, but felt great afterwards as you did.You have a lot on at the moment, but when you feel inundated with calls filter what you need to take. I had a similar situation where Estate Agent called me too often asking unnecessary questions in my opinion, as apparently they were scheduling calls into their targets! I stopped answering once I knew the process was all going according to plan!

Best wishes for further, de-stressing runs! ☺️

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Raisemeup]

Thank you! Good tip about the calls…… 👍😊

[RunBrianRun Graduate10]

Lovely read thanks Jools and I’m glad you enjoyed your run. Life is a talk menace sometimes and gets right on the way of running.

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to RunBrianRun]

Yes, it really does, but then you easily get into the habit of not running! I’ve just had my booster today, so a few more rest days, then hopefully another run middle of next week, then hopefully back on track for 3 times a week until I move 😊👍

[GailXrunning]

That’s just brilliant that you found some positive time for yourself amidst all the overwhelming stresses that have been crowding. And that you found time to post, too. And that you went out on your run looking beautiful!😉 I hope things settle for you soon. Take care.

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to GailXrunning]

Always love your positive spin! Thank you. Life will get better for me and there is something good in every day if I look for it 😊

[GailXrunning in reply to Jools2020]

Ah! It’s the visor on and glance in the mirror to say to yourself ‘I look the part; go run, beautiful’!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to GailXrunning]

Ah yes, exactly - a confidence boost!

[LottieMW Ambassador]

So good to hear you’re back out running!Hope the booster went ok…I felt pretty “meh” after mine 🤷🏻‍♀️

Yikes…I’m having a tooth out soon…were you ok after?

…oh…and you’re *always* gorgeous! 🥰

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to LottieMW]

Thanks, Lottie! 🥰 I know what you mean about “meh”. I was fine during and after having the tooth out, don’t worry - but no hot drinks for a week, and very soft foods, too. It takes a couple of weeks to really start to heal. I wouldn’t have been happy running for at least a week, because of jarring it and making it bleed.

[LottieMW Ambassador in reply to Jools2020]

Oh good grief…when I said “soon”…the earliest appointment they had was 21st December…😩

My own dentist isn’t back from paternity leave until then, and as I wasn’t in pain, the emergency dentist gave me a temporary filling and said I can wait to see him 😬

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to LottieMW]

I think that’s the situation over much of the country. I needed an emergency appointment to start with. I had to wait a week! I was in pain, pacing the floor dosed up on painkillers and using cold compresses. Horrendous.

[LottieMW Ambassador in reply to Jools2020]

Oh my! I just lost a massive filling to a chewy sweet 🙄

I was left with the remnants of a molar not worth saving. As I had no pain, I waited 2 weeks for the ‘emergency’ appointment…they told me I could ring again at 9 am if I was in pain…they hold 4 emergency appointments daily.

Puréed Xmas dinner should be interesting! 😬😩🤔

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to LottieMW]

Mmmm. Puréed Christmas dinner! Perhaps yours will heal faster …..

[LottieMW Ambassador in reply to Jools2020]

🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

How did I miss this?? I did wonder how you are, it sounds like you’ve had a time of it and your run was just what you needed 😀hope the move goes smoothly and you are soon more settled

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you, Sola. Once I move, I can start my card making again .. and I miss my piano and guitars! I hope everything has survived storage…..

[Peter44 Graduate10]

Sounds like you've had a lot going on, not surprised the running has taken a back seat, hope everythings ok, sure you'll be glad to get into your own place again, is it still around H.Wycombe?Hope your covid booster went ok. 😊

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Peter44]

Covid booster went ok thanks, felt unwell yesterday but fine today 😊

[tmbtrain Graduate10]

My sympathies on the tooth! I hope its all ok now. Sounds like you had a great run back at it 😊

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to tmbtrain]

All is healing nicely! Hope to run again later this week 😊👍