Every day... a New day... and an 0pportunity to Begin again.

[Oldfloss]

Hello people

Two weeks away from the running and struggling a tad. Blocked sinus, antibiotics, and some worries in life generally, all add up... and although age may simply be a number, sometimes the size of the number weighs heavy.

BUT...

There is always a, but, with me, isn't there. Will I give up? Will I heck as like!

The only change for me in my determination, is that I am, and will continue to be sensible. ( Yes... strong word). I will continue to listen very carefully to my body.

I am holding fire on my NRC HM plane and will do so until I feel even stronger... until I reach my elusive target weight of 8st +... and until I get a tad more muscle in these ancient bones!!!

So.... I ran this morning.

I chose to take the lovely, if very fickle, Coach Bennett with me, ( despite his philandering whilst I have been absent), and we had a ball on the beach!

The morning dawned with heavy black clouds cloaking an undergarment of blue satin.... the merest hint of the delights to follow. It was, for me a spontaneous decision.... and I was up and out with the minimum of faffage.

The road was quiet, and as I headed at the easiest of paces, down and back up the hill, in the first stages of the run... I found my legs were stronger than I expected... and my breathing was calm and controlled. This felt good.

I headed down the hill towards my happy place.... resisting any urge to speed up and obeying the gentle restraint of CB, who seemed to read my mind. Easy is not always easy.... but easy it must be... and it was. Far be it from me to disobey that voice.

Down towards the sea...

The Esplanade, deserted , the tide receding and the subtle sparkle of sunlight. playing hide and seek within those white tipped fingers of foam.

This was a very short run... and I was almost halfway through... so down onto the beach.... and...I just ran. Light quick steps....remembering to breathe; great belly filling breaths full of sea, sunshine and life itself. The last part of the run, done barefoot, through the playful bubbling of the waves.

At moments like these. I am the sole inhabitant of this place. I am alone in a world filled with smells, sights, sounds and sensations that many are never , ever going to feel.

At moments like these. I am not a 72 year old.

I am a runner... a child... a light, white, seagull feather, blown and carried along the shining, spray-washed, sun-streaked sand.

You may find this silly, you may find it unlikely at best, and untrue at worst.

I know what I feel.

My pace was slow, my feet were light. My breath came easy and my heart kept steady time with the turning of the Earth.

I feel the joy of running, I feel the beauty of Nature and I feel the almost suffocating gratitude that despite all, I am still here... I can still run...and I can continue.

Slow and steady.... What else?

Floss x

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

I get it Floss! Some runs are transformative, especially when body, mind and environment are in sync. Your joy shines through 🙂

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate in reply to Beachcomber66]

Aren't they just? Restorative, refreshing and recharging! It was... pure joy! xxx

[Tbae]

Lovely read Floss.I pray that you will always have this joy in your life.🏃‍♀️🌟💪🙏❤️

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate in reply to Tbae]

Thank you my friend... and did I spot a little jogette, on Strava today for you too t.. ? I hope all is going as you would wish xxx

[David_G]

Lovely post Oldfloss that’s what running’s all about! 👏👏👏

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate in reply to David_G]

It is... and what a joy when it happens. Thank you my friend x

[CBDB Graduate10]

😊😊😊😊 Just reading this list makes me feel more blissful about running. 🙏😊

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate in reply to CBDB]

That's the important bit.

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

So glad to hear you got out for a run this morning 😁👍I feel in a similar position at the moment .

I had bad sinus issues at the end of last year then coming back from that was when I took up the HM Plan .

But now, like you , it's on the back burner .

These things are sent to try us , but like you , I know I will not give up 😁

I will run when ready and I will enjoy it.

And it certainly sounds like you enjoyed your run this morning !

And to be honest, that's really all that matters 😁

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate in reply to Instructor57]

Good to have company on a slow journey.... the runs wait and are all the sweeter when we are able to do them.This morning was yet another for the memory jar ; thanks you x

[Frenc Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Instructor57]

Sorry to hear this Ian. I hope you feel better very soon. 😊

[Instructor57 Graduate10 in reply to Frenc]

Thanks Kate 👍

[TailChaser Graduate10]

Sounds like just the medicine you needed Floss. Can’t wait to see you very soon! Xx

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate in reply to TailChaser]

I cannot wait either... fingers crossed for a few sunny days? Thank you xxx

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Yes, once we’re in Wales would make a nice change 😂 xxx

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to TailChaser]

When will that be? I'm definitely in that area the weekend of 23/24 July.

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate in reply to nowster]

Week after.

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

That’s a shame, we’re making our way up on 23rd, hopefully via a parkrun on the way.

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to TailChaser]

If I can be in the area for the 30th, I will!

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

That would be wonderful Nowster! Looks like we’ll be doing Oswestry parkrun on the 23rd so we can get ‘west’ for our Compass Point challenge.

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate in reply to TailChaser]

Hmm.another one faster than me!!! Xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate in reply to TailChaser]

We had a glorious one yesterday, blue sky, sunshine and real warmth!xxx

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

It’s gorgeous on the outskirts of Coventry today! x

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate in reply to TailChaser]

Perfect.... and we have another here too ! Yeayayayay!

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

How wonderful to enjoy that run while no one else was around. I imagine you doing somersaults afterwards. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🤸🏃‍♀️

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate in reply to Dexy5]

I wish..! I paddled a lot and got very, very wet!!!Then got hungry....so ran up the hill for breakfast!!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

❤ gulp 😚xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Xxxxx

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10]

Ohhhh Floss…I’m breathing in that air with you ..just heart warming…being a child again, barefoot in the sea…how wonderful?? Long may you feel this joy xxxx

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate in reply to Mummycav]

Thanks you... just good to breathe the sea air and go with the flow.x

[nowster Graduate10]

Willy Eckerslike? I'm sure I knew him at school...

[LiisaM]

So lovely a post! xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate in reply to LiisaM]

Thank you my friend I am hoping you may be finding, also, a little time for yourself.

[doggytail Graduate10]

What a lovely read OF same age bar 6months you put me to shame, but your posts are inspirational so on I go. I wish I were 8st + last time I saw that number was when I was8years old🤣 x

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate in reply to doggytail]

Thank you so much... it really is so good to be running in the company of other, seasoned? runners.We do okay don't we?

I am getting slowly to the weight where I would like to build up from.

The trouble is, our eating regime is and has been for a lot of years, very healthy but not one which piles weight on.

Husband is type 2 Diabetic daughter has a gluten allergy... we eat hardly any processed food and meals are made from scratch..

Refined added sugar is a complete no-no.. I only like cake/biscuits etc, if I or daughter have made them.. we use pureed apple or dates , etc to act as a sweetener if need be?

My Nurse at the GP surgery said that it is no wonder I don't keep weight on...so... I have had to tweak things, to make sure now that I am getting a higher intake of protein, balanced with healthy fats and the more complex carbs!

I have pulled back on my running days also. I need to get the muscle built up again, so I am not burning it off !

It's tricky... but... I will get there! Slow and steady ?

🤣

[doggytail Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Well done on healthy eating my problem I am told is I dont eat enough🙄🙄🙄

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate in reply to doggytail]

I know the feeling! You cannot win sometimes... I was originally when I was down to 7st 5.... diagnosed as Pre diabetic! That has reversed as the weight has gone on and the overthinking stress Cortisol. levels have reduced also...but it is really odd!

[doggytail Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

🙄😠

[Frenc Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Well done you! I remember CB telling me once at the start of a run to go so slowly you had to imagine you had a really boring roommate but that I had to be even more boring! It’s stuck with me ever since. He is wise, isn’t he. This run absolutely lifted your spirits, I can tell, and that is priceless. 😊

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate10]

Floss that was such a beautiful description I was almost there with you! It’s not about how far it’s about doing it and enjoying it we sometimes put too much pressure on ourselves xx

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate in reply to Wavy-chick28]

We do. Often without realising it, until something pulls us up short. I realise how very, very privileged I am to have this little tin tent here by the sea, as well as a home I love in the beautiful Staffs Moorlands.

The memories that are held here for me too, play a very special part in my runs and our visits here.

When we first realised we may get a chance to return here for our times away, we could not believe it

this is the first post I wrote then... you may enjoy it?

healthunlocked.com/couchto5....

Thanks you xxx

[Scruff55 60minGraduate]

Fabulous post I was running beside you in the sea and so wishing it was real for me. So so pleased you enjoyed this run OF. I went out this morning and found it really hard even when I slowed down things kept distracting me sore hip then sore ankle as I changed my style trying to reduce the aching hip. Perhaps I too should listen more to my body. Well done on your lovely run and thank you so much for sharing the experience. 👏👏👏👏

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate in reply to Scruff55]

I am so sorry that your run was not as joyous as you might have wished for :(These niggles and aches and pains can really hamper us.

Listening to our body is so the right thing, but sometimes one of the hardest skills to master.

I am really working at it.... so far so good... thank you xxx

[MrBassmanjazz]

That made me smile. Can't wait to get out, later.

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate in reply to MrBassmanjazz]

I am glad... enjoy your run xxx

[Jell6 Graduate10]

Lovely post 🥰I can't post the link here (?) And you may have tried all of these tips, but there's some useful information in this, not from my Trust but good info is good info!

Helping weight gain.

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate in reply to Jell6]

Thank you..and thank you ! I'll check that out xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate in reply to Jell6]

Just been checking this out and it is really useful...interestingly, on first reading you think.,. what! So many recommendations you would not expect! It was written in 2019, but...many of the recommendations fall in line with those of Prof Tim Spector, in his book, Spoon Fed.. which is a real eye opener!

Thanks for that link!

[Jell6 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

You're welcome, one of the real problems with unwanted weight loss is the idea that you need to eat more to gain weight. Counterintuitive really as a smaller appetite is often the cause of the weight loss. So increasing the calorie quality of what is being eaten is a sensible action. Loads of butter, high fat cheeses, cream. Fry don't grill... Hope it's helpful ❤️

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate in reply to Jell6]

It is...need to pile the lbs on! Xxx

[Birdlady64 Graduate10]

This is just so beautiful! It really made me smile 😍

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate in reply to Birdlady64]

I am glad... good to make folk smile x

[Elfe5 60minGraduate]

Oh yes! A delicious, wonderful run - thanks for taking us with you! 🤗🤗

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate in reply to Elfe5]

You are more than welcome my friend x

[sofaspud]

I loved the poetry of this post. Slow and steady - what else indeed!

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate in reply to sofaspud]

Perfect... it has served me well since Graduation in 2015! xx

[skysue16 Graduate10]

What a beautiful picture those words created in my head 😊 Thank you OF

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate in reply to skysue16]

You, my friend are very welcome ...thank you xxx