You've got to Run a little, Walk a little, T... - Bridge to 10K

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You've got to Run a little, Walk a little, Take some snaps and Talk a little...

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate10
31 Replies

...Running

Our runs, our pace, our way.

The inspiration for the title of this rambling post, ( yes, another one, groan, groan), comes from a post I read and replied to a few days back.

healthunlocked.com/bridgeto...

Do have a look at the post dijep put up... well worth a read.

I found it very interesting, as were the replies, and it got me thinking. Do I have rules, or do I just run, my way?

Anyway, having got back here to the coast, with the prospect of a sightly longer stay, ( off small runner in training duty) ,on Monday, I ran. just another short run, still taking it very gently as I continue my build back to strength and my stamina. I am using some NRC runs with my friend Coach Bennett, to help, mainly runs containing easy, or slow, in their description.

No need to defend myself, these are my choice, my runs, my way.

So Monday!

There were four of us out there, on a glorious, if somewhat misty morning.

You may, if you had been there, only have been aware of a lone runner, but I was not alone. I was accompanied by my dear forum friend, my staunchest supporter, through thick and thin, now back to running her own way after a time taken up with other wonderful life changes, with me also, a friend to hundreds and hundreds of us, a friend whom we still see on C25K, but who is unable to run, any more, and whom I miss daily. Last but not least, a new friend... introduced to me, very generously by @bluebirdrunner, one Coach Cory! Call me fickle if you wish to, CB is still a favourite, but, I had a great first date with CC!

The morning had a chill, not enough to warrant a jacket , but enough to make me pop my lightweight gilet over my T ! I braved my ear buds too; cleaned well and not pushed too far into the right ear, still a tad tender, an NRC run downloaded, First Run, easy and gentle with no intervals. Just 23 minutes.

First mistake was choosing to walk down the site road to warm up and back up the grassy hill, where on making the top, I was nearly blown back down by an unexpected wind! The view alone was worth it though. Down the steps and up and out. Running started!

Views over to the mountains , mist shrouded and purple hazed against a sky, straight out of a Turner painting; taking photos on the warm up is always easy, I am not moving fast enough for blur. CC is murmuring in my ears, that this pace is perfectly fine. The start of the run should be the slowest, the easiest, the comfiest. Well it was definitely the slowest !

Down the road for a little way, still green edged , but the secret, coded message of Autumn, already whispering its way through the hedgerows... blackberries clumped everywhere here, later than at home, red jeweled berries on the very cusp of change. Sun and rain will speed their transformation! Making the halfway turn, I detour quickly across the fields.

Looking towards the sea, the distant hills have a Tolkeinesque hue... slate-blue topped and cloud shrouded...the sea, just a distant dark line. Turning and back up, and now I realise that CC has a slightly dominant tone. He keeps urging me to check my breathing, check my body and check my pace. He asks me probing questions and expects me to answer... if I am not able to, then he insists that I slow my pace, despite the downhill section!

I cannot help myself, I answer, I respond and I obey! By his own admission, he is a bit annoying, and will not let me move too quickly.

Another photo shoot. I have hundreds of these shots, and every single one is different, the little town sheltered within those craggy arms of the castle, and the sea, reassuringly constant, taking away the old and bringing in the new, on each tide.

Down I go, holding back a tad, listening to the voice, and my time is running short.... I am given the option to continue after the run in or to stop, I may speed up if I am comfortable or ease back if not. I am comfortable as I cross the railway line so, a faster run in is allowed, and I speed up.

A deserted esplanade makes it easy. Determined to make the lifeboat station and the jetty, before my time is up...I make it.... just before I run out of jetty!

Photo stop time, the Castle... my castle....holding memories of childhood holidays, endless sunshine days wrapped in the love of my family, newer memories made with my own husband and children...and latterly, rediscovered and renewed.

My run is finished... we are all fine. CC is pleased with me, and my friends are content.

But...this is my run, to run my way and I feel there may be something left... for the first time in an age, a faint stirring of a challenge.... just a short few steps, back along the beach and up onto the Esplanade. It won't be too much, the voices in my head, talk to me, as I tighten my laces; Bluebirdrunner says she'll sit it out and cheer me on.... Tim is going to join her, "...go for it", he says, " just make sure you run and you smile".

So... I did... just 0.25K....but with a little bit of pace! Breathing easy, and light footed!

It felt good. I smiled, a lot.

Leaving my friends now, ( they have things to do), and listening to my own voice, that of my body, I started to walk slowly, back up the hill and home.

Crossing the railway line ,I met a lady who I had seen and waved a greeting too, on my way out... walking stick in hand, light framed and grey haired.

“ Hello again”, we chatted.

She was 85, and had lived just outside Criccieth for 72 years; a cancer survivor, double heart by-pass and with a genetic muscle wasting disease.

We talked on, so many things, the current times, the worries for our families. And about exercise.

She walks at least 5K, every day... rain or shine , with the final 1K, up hill! I know that hill. I struggled up it sometimes as a teenager! There was no air of regret as she talked, she accepted things as they were, and made the most of every moment of every day. Walking and looking around taking in every sight and every sensation. Her walk, her pace, her way.

We met as strangers, we parted as friends, and she told me as we parted. how glad she was that we had met, and she wished me well. I did the same.

What a run... what a walk, what a talk... who ever said running was just about one step in front of the other, had little idea of what it really is, all about. At least for many of us. As I walked on I mulled over the run, I had walked, I had run, I took friends with me, I met a new friend, we had all talked and we listened.

Yesterday's outing was all about running a little, walking a little, taking some snaps and talking a little. It had been a really enjoyable, if slightly nostalgic run.

It's part of the joy of the forums here, reading everyone's posts and seeing how wonderfully different we all are. All with our own way of running. Just like our lives.

You've got to give a little, take a little

Sometimes, let your heart ache, a little?

That's the glory of, that's the story of... our run .

Oldfloss x

Bluebirdrunner + IannodaTruffe thanks for your company xx

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Oldfloss
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31 Replies
Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57Graduate10

So good to hear you were out there running today !And a great post to read as always 😁👍

Long may we run with our friends and our thoughts .... The joy of a run indeed 😁

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate10 in reply toInstructor57

Thank you... and knowing now that you got out there too yesterday! Just wonderful!

The friends we make here become a very real part of our running, we learn so much from each other, about the running yes, but also about our own, mental and physical strengths and weaknesses too.

Pure joy ! x

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57Graduate10 in reply toOldfloss

Absolutely 👍

Katnap profile image
KatnapGraduate10

A beautiful poetic post Oldfloss 😃

🐱 Katnap 🐱

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate10 in reply toKatnap

Thanks you... a good run!

LiisaM profile image
LiisaM

Such a lovely post! I like your meeting with the lady who struggles so much and yet walks 5k each day. Stupendous! And you ran extra!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate10 in reply toLiisaM

I did! First time in so long.... and it felt good! The lady? She was an inspiration...and jst so calm... and happy!

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

Well done OF! Once again your post leaves me with a lovely warm glow- thank you. Xx

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate10 in reply toLiz-is-trying

I'm glad... we need to share our joy xxx

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate1060minGraduate

A run full of beauty and nostalgia, taking old friends with you and meeting new. Life throws us challenges and our running balances things, perfect Floss, in every way

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate10 in reply toSueAppleRun

It was a tad thought provoking I have to admit. We make so many friends on the forums, most of whom we know only from the posts, but some of whom we are fortunate to meet and even run with.I know that from beginning as Mentor in 2016 right up to where I am now, I have made so, so many friends, and some :) have become very much more than a , faceless friend !

Folk who supported me in that first year of running, and helped me with the skills that have evolved and developed over the years, friends who no longer post, or have moved on to a different plane... their names are so familiar.

Life, as you say, and as you very well know does throw us challenges, as do our runs. But, brining in the new and building on the old...seems like a good way to move on.

Thank you my friend. I am moving closer up behind you, thanks to your support :)

skysue16 profile image
skysue16Graduate10

Love this post…….thank you OF 😊

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate10 in reply toskysue16

Thank you my friend... recharging our batteries ready for the Autumn days... as I expect you are before the September term? xxx

skysue16 profile image
skysue16Graduate10 in reply toOldfloss

The last two days this week we have been cleaning, clearing, moving furniture and tidying - classroom all spic and span ready for Monday 😊 . Planning a little jog tomorrow…. first for a few weeks because we have been walking up Scottish mountains this holiday 👍

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate10 in reply toskysue16

I remember it well ! It always looked amazing... a new page for the new term! That walking will have set you up for your run today... strong legs and stamina too!

Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate10

My oh my...it actually feels like I was there at the coast with you Floss...as you know Coach Cory put me through the gentle pace of this run a couple of days ago. I too answered out loud when he questioned me.

As for your final sprint along the Esplanade, unlike you I had no extra to give but I cheered like mad from the bench as you flew by!

Beautiful writing as always, your runs at the coast are so special to you, and we are lucky to share them with you.

You will be coming with me tomorrow (to remind me to land lightly and round my feet). There won't be the same sights and sounds, only in my imagination.

Happy running dear friend and enjoy the rest of your break.

🍁🍂🍃xxx

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate10 in reply toBluebirdrunner

I will be there...in fact, I am about to do some stretching work for my legs! I will remind you to kiss the ground with your feet... as you reminded me yesterday, on my sprint to tighten those glutes!

Coach Cory, was so different from Coach Bennett , but equally motivational. That small voice in the ear, especially, certainly for me, after setbacks, is a real help.

The day was lovely and went on to be a gloriously warm one.. where J and I were able to take in some glorious scenery in an are where we have not spent much time!

Thank you for always being there for me... I shall watch for your post! xxx

Birdlady64 profile image
Birdlady64Graduate10

Another beautiful, thought-provoking and inspiring post Floss!Lovely photos too - very atmospheric and fitting the mood of your run perfectly.

I somehow missed his post and didn't know that Tim had hung up his running shoes - such an inspirational person who gave so much of himself to so many of us 🤗

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate10 in reply toBirdlady64

He truly did ...and is still doing so, as often as he is able on C25K forum!

Thsnk you..the day did capture the mood...it was a satisfying run in many, many ways

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeGraduate10

A run can take you to so many unexpected places, if you approach it with an open mind and an appreciation of your surroundings.

This beautiful post transported me, with a rhythm and a pace that moved me from one vista to the next and into your world, dear friend ............and what a pleasure to be there with you.

Thank you for taking me with you.

I look forward to the next time

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate10 in reply toIannodaTruffe

Until next time...and it's a 5K xxx

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeGraduate10 in reply toOldfloss

Steady on, lady, I am out of practice!!!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate10 in reply toIannodaTruffe

Me too...it will be slow! x

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate10 in reply toOldfloss

We did it.... and we dipped our toes in the sea. as the final 1K was run, Chariots of Fire style ! You had fun... as did I x

Dendev75 profile image
Dendev75Graduate10

A beautiful post OF and one which you will keep for the memory bank no doubt 🥰

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate10 in reply toDendev75

Most definitely...keeping me warm through the long cold days of winter xx

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10

Beautiful Oldfloss , and would you believe that song came up on my shuffle playlist, sung by Bette Midler, on my 10k run along the Billy Trail this week? So I will now dedicate that run to you. Next time it comes on I will be singing your words 🎶🎵🎶🎵

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate10 in reply toDexy5

Oh goodness. I do enjoy listening to Bette! I am so glad that the run is dedicated to me... running with a friend... and she is singing to me ...thank you xxx

dijep profile image
dijepGraduate10

Oh Oldfloss I just love this post 🥰🥰I read it late in the evening but couldn't think how to reply.

Where you talk about running with your friends although we would only see a lone runner, it literally brought tears to my eyes. My husband died a few years ago but I often imagine him encouraging me and especially cheering to get up the hills.

Thanks for the link to my post. On my next run I realize that I change my own rules on each run. 🤣😂 Except for the stopping to take photos.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate10 in reply todijep

Oh my.... I am sorry to have upset you, but how absolutely wonderful that he is with you, supporting you and getting you up those hills x

I have you, to thank.... your post made me think hard... and has coloured my run today too...

I run here at the coast, where I came first with my Mum and Dad and Nan, so many years ago, and they are very much a part of my runs here.

healthunlocked.com/couchto5....

It is so good when someone posts a post that makes us rethink our runs, change our focus or realise that what we do is exactly right for us !

I took so many photographs today... and still managed a good run!

Thank you xxx

dijep profile image
dijepGraduate10 in reply toOldfloss

No please don't think you upset me. It was just one of those moments when your eyes well up from seeing or in this case reading something that rings so true. Difficult to explain but definitely no reason to apologize.I remember being really inspired by a post about one of your runs at the coast not that long after starting running. I thought I'd like to be able to run like that, enjoying the freedom, stopping to look at views and explore.

And now I can do that too.

So thankyou for the inspiration x

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