Birthday gift from Mr. OF yesterday....and so fitting for the next chapter of my running which I am calling, my Blue Period
Having reached the ripe old age of 72... I have decided to shake things up a tad, move away from from some old habits, not all good ones, ( some really damaging to mental and physical well being) , and to continue to move forward in a more relaxed and gentle manner.
A quotation that Katnap shared with me on the Marathon and HM forum, has been with me since I read it. As a result, my running has been even more enjoyable
I have had a great running time in my last week of being 71... and although only on the last run of Week 6 of Magic plan , I am confident that I will, in three weeks time, reach 10K, once more. Or maybe it will take a week or so longer, and that is the difference in my new mindset. That mindset has been worked on since last year and this is just another milestone
No more overthinking, no more pushing too hard; just doing it my way which I do not have to tell you is.... S and S... If it takes longer, then it takes longer, I have certain targets and goals but they are mine alone. At this time I am still building back up to full strength, I need to reach 8 stone in weight again, before I begin, even, to think of anything further than 10K, and focusing again on a three runs week!
So... I had a super run last Saturday, 8 K for the second time... slower than the week before but did it matter...not to me. I had a run filled with all the beauty, the sights, the sounds , the smells of my beloved fields. Birds wheeling across an endless blue sky, abstract patterned tractor tracks and the fun of following them, up and down and changing direction across the huge field, hedges , ditches, streams and rivulets... why rush it ?
Then, two runs to follow, a 4 and a 5K... different terrain but equally pleasing. Pavement pounding and some uphill work ( closely followed by downhill again
I do have a tendency to move quicker as I go upwards, so, I have been making a real effort to try to keep a consistent steady pace...and now, thanks to a post from @Instructor 57, I have moved forward a tad with that, and am putting in the odd burst now and then, trying different things and different techniques, and it is great fun!
Hoping to get a 9K in tomorrow... if not, change of plan, means it will be Thursday in Wales, expect a loooong Floss ramble , ( okay, no need to run for cover yet)!
I don't do it often, but just wanted to share my lovely new, blue shoes Now everyone will know who I am !
Oldfloss x
PS
The quotation ? Courtesy of Katnap....
“Angels can fly, because they can take themselves lightly.
G.K Chesterton
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Very happy 72nd birthday wishes to you Oldfloss, those are lovely shoes that Mr OF gave you, I am sure you will enjoy running in them, your blue period, so that's what you call being 72,I am glad that you enjoyed running when you were 71 and at 72 you are going to run as you say 'in a more relaxed and gentle manner'
Good luck for your quest to run 10K but there is now hurry for that. 😊 🏃🏾
Thank you very much my friend... I was delighted when I got them yesterday!
Yes, more and more now I am finding I am able to run with light steps and an even lighter heart. Not just in my running either, do I feel that lightness... it is happening within my mind-set generally!
Thank you... I will get there...but no hurry at all! x
Oooh Floss, that's a super gift from MrOF👟👟he is definately a keeper!😉
What a treat, new shoes with your name on, I think he may have started something... 😅
I'm sure you had a very happy birthday, and will be looking forward to trying out your new runners! (for the 9k🤔 maybe a shorter run for their first outing?)
Looking forward to your ramble/run report, I know you will make the distance and have fun doing so.
Wales is waiting for Oldfloss to come and run lightly along the promenade in those beauties....
You, as ever read my mind...I was just thinking that a shorter run tomorrow and the longer in Wales would be better! I have the blues on now... just around the house as I always do with new shoes.I feel very lucky, they are very sassy shoes and having my name on !
Thank you so much, my constant support and my friend xxx
Watch out Of, I'm fast on your heels...71 in a couple of weeks. I'm taking it more slowly too...might do another 8k before that 9 tho, think we are parallel on the plan....it will take as long as it takes...love those shoes.🤢
I'm watching out for you! Slow is so good... it frees me. Any speeding up is purely natural when it happens.I am hoping that the 9 comes as easily as the 8
I’ve great faith in you, Floss. You’ll get back there again. ❤️And you’re right - it’s never too late to develop a more flexible mindset. Sometimes we all need reminding of that. ❤️
I’m just getting over a mild bout of covid before deciding if I will run at all now. It may be time to save my discs for walking and climbing…or I may repeat C25k with lovely Laura again, and stick to no more than gentle 5ks twice a week…
Oh blimey, so many folk falling by the wayside with Covid currently and finding afterwards that it really has taken a a toll! We still know so little about it and each of the pesky new variants too.You are right, it is never too late to make changes, but it is also, as you say, sometimes a very hard decision.
The walks and climbs will I know bring you great joy and yes, why not join us in the Catch-Up Corner when you are ready.
Laura is as welcoming as ever and there are a lot of folk there who are finding that out again. I really enjoyed repeating it
Brilliant shoes! Well done Mr OF thats a great gift! I have no doubt you'll get to your target Floss and enjoy the journey too! S and S is the way to go 😘xxx
Love this post Oldfloss!! I also am well jelly of your branded shoes!!I want to say that you have always inspired me. You were definitely a reference when I started on here and I remember reading your HM report and thinking gosh, this is fantastic. I have now done several myself and always think of you when I do them.
There is no point just getting to the end if you don't enjoy the journey. I'm so glad you are bringing back joy to running.
I managed to run 1km today and that felt like an achievement as I'm recovering from covid.
They are sassy aren't they I've always worn Adidas... they just work for me, perfectly.
It is lovely to be here with friends and know how we can all support each other.
That is what I lost sight of in 2020.. that for me, it was about enjoying... the pandemic and over worry had turned my runs into therapy, but not good therapy.
It has taken a while, but the joy is definitely back .
Well done you, steady and slow and take care of yourself. xxx
Yes, I think I understand what you mean about not good therapy (did you know I am actually now training as a therapist?). It's like the expression of all the "bad" stuff and then it becomes the embodiment and you forget the joy of it, like running to the pond or just because you fancy a little skip and run. Have a lovely time in Wales xx
I didn't know! But yes, the worry became the reason, the what ifs, and all that went with it....My Cognitive therapy, therapist ( phone sessions) , was amazing...she set me back on the path to recovery...well done you!
I was supposed to have a 'birthday weekend'. Friday 10cc, Saturday a cruise up the Thames listening to ska music, then watching future daughter in law do the half marathon on Sunday. FDIL decided she didn't want anyone watching her (fair enough) and it was so flipping cold on Saturday I gave the cruise a miss. 10cc were pretty good though. Don't think I could cope with a whole birthday week 😂ps all the best people were born in early April 😂😂😂
Belated birthday greetings Oldfloss! I love your new found running mantra and feel sure it will keep you running for years to come ! What fabulous shoes - Mr OF did really well there didn’t he! I’ll be in Wales in a few weeks and if I see any runners, I’ll be sure to check out the shoes in case they’re carrying Oldfloss along!
Fingers crossed that they do the job that my other shoes do and have done!
Well, following my, acknowledge, accept and adapt philosophy of the Catch-Up Corner post a while back, it is becoming easier to follow this new way now.
My shoes and I will be in Wales off and on so you need to let me know when and where you'll be! You will recognize me anywhere... the daftest, funkiest leggings and wandering along at a gentle pace, taking pikkies as I run x
Happy Birthday 🥳. What a wonderful present from Mr OF! What a great mindset you have - enjoy those runs and the journey it takes you without any of the pressures of pushing too hard or too fast. I love it!
Thanks you! It is the right thing for me, not right for everyone, with their own targets and challenges I am, sort of re- finding some of the joys I found when I first began to run, and it is wonderfully liberating!
Yes... they are great aren't they. He does surprise me sometimes even after 50 years!
Us too... really hope we can do a meet up... You have no idea how those words have resonated with me! Thank you!I may have a go at PR Plas Heli again this Saturday. LOW tide Well. it MIGHT be easier x
Oh wow! What gorgeous shoes 😍 And what a fabulous present for a special lady.
Happy birthday Floss 🍾🎉🥳🎁🎈I hope you got spoiled rotten. I’m sure bubbles were enjoyed 🍾🥂
It sounds as if you’re entering an exciting phase in your running life so enjoy it and enjoy those shoes too! I hope you have many happy miles together 🙂
I love that quote, so apt for such a young-at-heart playful person like you 🤗
They are fabulous aren't they.. I thought of you, and your, This Princess wears running shoes...
Yes, indeed. bubbles were had, but yesterday evening after a day with small runner in training! I need to be bright eyed and bushy tailed for a full on day with her It is quote literally the best of my strength and stamina work outs, and so much fun!
I hope the shoes take me to some new places... it is amazing that I am still finding new tracks and little secret run routes, even quite close to home... it is very exciting.
Thank you x
I hope you are feeling a tad comfier. Back pain is horrid, you take care x
It’s definitely a great workout with little ones 💪 but they love our energy and the fact we can run around with them 🤗
I know what you mean about finding new places. I’m walking atm, as you know, and I’ve found a couple of new run routes not far from home! It is exciting and I can’t wait to run them.
Oh I just love the shoes! Floss footwear at its finest. And a belated happy birthday 🥳. Your running sounds really good at the moment, I’m super pleased for you! And you ramble away as long as you want in your post 😊😊😊.
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Frenc
They work too! Thanks you!I shall ramble at will xxx
Happy, happy birthday to you dear OF. 🤗Wonderful shoes and wonderful you enjoying your running. We all have to be wise for ourselves as well as helping each other along the way- sounds like you have got that wrapped up, (in birthday paper?😂😂)
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Elfe5
Thank you... yes indeed.. being kind to ourselves is the hardest thing sometimes:)I am loving my shoes, and I am taking them to the seaside tomorrow as a treat xxx
Ohhhhh….I’ve done it again… Happy belated birthday Floss! That’s a cool pair of shoes you’ve got there. Looking forward to seeing them and you in real life soon xxx
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