Yes, that cheery chook is keeping a watchful eye on you, to see what you are all up to and to make sure you are staying safe and warm!
So. Here I am again... and here, again, I hope...are YOU!
The weather outside is still a bit dodgy, where I am , most certainly, and my Quest has been sabotaged by it. Icy surfaces and freezing fog, replaced by thick ice, glorious sunshine and bitter cold, have put paid to outdoor running! Just trying to negotiate the hill, to get to my fields has been frightening and with the air so very cold, -7 yesterday. I have to say, that I have taken a safe option and simply carried on with the indoor workouts.
Thank goodness for some of the terrific ideas on the Strength and Flex Forum, My resistance band work for the Challenge on there is fun ??? ( tricky sometimes). but fun! BREATHE with Adreine and her Yoga. CBDB has put some really great stuff out for us and there is a new challenge already in place for January!
I am really hoping to get, what will be a very slow, 7 year Runniversary run in tomorrow, if the promised milder weather appears here. Fingers crossed.
I have been reading many of your posts again, a tad more time to do so, this week, and you ARE running and reaching some of your Quest goals. The good news too is that if you are not able to run you are being sensible and not giving yourselves a hard time!
PLEASE, do let us all know how your Questing is going
It is NOT too late to JOIN us!
If you are a newcomer to Quest, you will find so much unbelievable support here, from our running friends, all at different stages and all hoping to fulfil different targets.
It's the third week of the DECEMBER Quest- so, do, please, feel free to join in with the fun for this and next week
What is the Quest?
The aim of the Quest is to help you find a focus or goal that you would like to achieve by the end of the Quest period.
The Quest takes one calendar month. You can join at any point during that time.
I ask that you are a C25K Graduate before joining the Quest. The reason for this is that pre-graduation your week is very much structured according to the C25K programme, and I wouldn't want the Quest to interfere with that.
Most popular goals are:
★ To run three times a week
★ To slowly increase distance
★ To train for a specific race
★ To add Stretch and Strength exercises to your weekly routine
This is a personal challenge, so it's completely up to you! If you want to join, all you have to do is comment below with something like:
I would like to join the Quest, or, count me in! I would like to...
********
Each week, I will put up a new post, so we can chat and see how we are all doing!
Wishing you a wonderful week of safe and happy running! 💥Stay SAFE and STAY WARM!
Oldfloss & The Rest of the Team x
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I’m having mixed success but I’d rather be safe than regretful. My quest is to:
1. Keep running three times a week whatever the weather
Not sure I’d anticipated -6C and thick ice when I wrote that! Success in week 1, one run in week 2, all being well should be on three again this week. I’ll take that as a win given the circumstances.
2. Do my S&F twice a week
Again, a bit mixed due to feeling a bit demoralised by the weather. Some weeks I’ve done more so it is averaging out ok overall. I’ve managed to increase my time for my plank so it must be working.
3. Have fun on my runs and fuel properly before and after
Definitely doing well on the fun and enjoying my runs, even on harder speed sessions. Still experimenting with fuelling, which includes reading “Roar”. Lots to learn on this front.
4. Go to bed at the proper time
Oh dear. Well, it’s getting earlier and I am in bed at a decent time, even if I’m still reading. Going to sleep at a time that normally starts with 12 rather than 2 is progress too. Working from home means that I can lie in longer to top up the 💤
December is definitely tricky but I think if we’re still trying at this time of the year, we should celebrate that 🎉. Looking forward to seeing how everyone is getting on.
Especially the fun on the runs and fueling properly... make sure that happens. ! Do get it right... I did not a year or so back and am still building back... !
The running, I think like many of us, very hot and miss... and as long as you are safe, you do it when you are able.
Bedtime ? Hmm... well my Nan always said, an hour before midnight was worth two after... ? We are earlier to bed and rise earlier...but as retired folk it is very different than you who are still working!
I think on the whole, this is a positive post ? Well done you!
Your Nan sounds like a sensible lady. I will have to start using that as my motto.
Fuelling is still a work in progress but is on my radar, rather than just winging it or expecting the engine to run with no fuel. So that’s a step forward.
I think anything we can do right now is a win, what with the weather and Christmas.
Hope you have a wonderful runniversary. Congratulations on 7 years. That’s some streak.
Happy 7th Runniversary to you Oldfloss - such an amazing achievement . It sounds like you are doing the right thing by staying indoors while it is so icy out there. Even here on the south coast it is colder than I have known for many years. We haven’t got the ski gear out yet but are running with lots of layers, and not hanging around afterwards.
⭐️ Go to weekly Pilates class
Yes, I made it again this week but due to conflicting appointments, that will be my last time this month. Hopefully I can squeeze in a couple of YWA sessions instead.
⭐️ Run at least twice a week but try for three.
Only 2 runs this week, but most enjoyable all the same. UTS and I headed off to Portsmouth Lakeside parkrun to run with JonathanP . It was a good choice as our usual promenade run was very slippery that morning, whereas the part trail run around the lake was unaffected.
We also went for a chilly 4k run on the prom on Tuesday with Christmas songs playing out loud on my phone as we ran. Usually I would wear my aftershockz, but find they dig in a bit when wearing my fleece hat. So we were both rocking around the Christmas tree as we went.
⭐️run and volunteer at parkrun which should include festive dress once.
As mentioned above, plus I also picked up the bag of tokens from the Southsea store and have sorted them ready for this weekend. I know many people on here volunteer for parkrun, but if there is anyone on here that hasn’t tried it yet, it is so rewarding. parkrun cannot happen without it’s hi-viz heroes and it’s a great way to meet people. Some runners do not realise the efforts made each week to try and fill all the posts to hold a run safely, and just one volunteer every 15 weeks would make all the difference.
⭐️ run a 10k race.
✔️
I’m looking forward to watching a Santa run at the weekend, as I left it too late to enter! 🎅🏻🤶🦌⛄️. It was watching this wonderful sight that got me into c25k and running.
Keep warm everyone.
Frosty leaves
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Dexy5
This is all sounding so good to me...if chilly!
Your Pilates is ongoing and you are getting some terrific runs in. The Prom run sounds really good fun. I love the idea of running by the sea to Christmas Music!
We closed the van a week early, which turned out well in view of the weather and Daughter and Son in Law, now with Covid! They have no idea where they caught it, both working from home with limited time in the office, or public meetings. And so cautious too. So I am meals on wheels food provider.. doorstep drops !
Your Park Run sounds great and lots of fun too and the Santa Run... so many things to go and take part in or watch !
I'm hoping it will be warmer tomorrow for my run and if all else fails, you do have the ski gear to help keep you snug! Just watch out for any skiers not looking where they are going 😉🏃♀️🤣
I can imagine a caravan gets very cold at this time of year Oldfloss, so that was a good idea.
We’ve just been pinged for contact with someone with Covid, but thankfully just tested negative and will test before parkrun tomorrow. I hope your daughter and son -in-law recover without too much discomfort.
Enjoy that chilly run tomorrow 🏃♀️❄️. Coach B’s Cold Run is good.
Oddly, the cold weather has put a fire behind my efforts.
The wheels rather came off my running in October and November, with bad weather and feeling distinctly below par.
Last weekend was affected by the side-effects of the flu jab I had on Friday.
My quest for what remains of this month is to get back into the habit of doing between four and six runs per week, and looking ahead to the possibility of doing RED January again.
Well, my IMMEDIATE goal is to get the heck out before the 3-6 inches of snow predicted for 3 hours from now. The drive is clear, but my will is a little weak. This quest post is putting the pressure on--so GOOD! Hubby is sleeping, so I will tiptoe in to get my gear and get the heck out--NOW!....
Hello Oldfloss and fellow questersWell it's been an absolutely freezing week here in Yorkshire but no snow and it's been really dry so no icy pavements thank goodness. I know I'm lucky compared with a lot of my snow bound running buddies.
This quest post on spurred me on to catch up with CBDBs resistance band challenge, I'd managed to get a few days behind but I'm back up to date now. So that's quest number one ✅
It's been a very frustrating week, waiting for roofers, dental appointments , waiting for parcel deliveries and a very early morning call from my son with a car to that wouldn't start. So I only managed my second run of the week today. Which means I'm exactly half way through my 12 runs (or walks) of Christmas with only just over a week to go 😯
So tomorrow I need to add a walk and get another run done on Sunday. As I do a regular 3-5k daily dog walk I know I'll get it done by the 25th even if we do get some 🌨️❄️🌨️
And my roof hasn't got a hole in anymore 😊👍😊
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to dijep
You are most surely getting there... you are completing the band challenge, you got two runs in and.... best of all NO HOLE in the roof... !
You will reach that 12 runs/walks of Christmas easily!
Considering that this time last year I was happily running at subzero temperatures in a foot of snow I've no idea what's happened to me in this cold snap!!
Well actually I've got some pretty good excuses
Firstly, my flu jab a couple of weeks ago. My arm got really achy and sore and felt like lead but three days later on the Thursday I felt OK again and had a run.
Alongside this, one of my back teeth had been bothering me and by Friday I knew something was wrong. Called the dentist and, wonder of wonders, within an hour I was in the chair minus a wisdom tooth. Of course, this meant no exercise to allow the wound to heal.
One of my Quest goals was to do the Southend Rudolph Run. With my usual planning skills I hadn't signed up for it, which was just as well as even though it was over 24 hours since the extraction I still wanted to take it easy. Plus my arm was still bothering me (it's OK now).
Since then I've really not been doing very much at all. My husband usually jollies me along if I'm feeling unenthusiastic about getting out of the door, but instead we've just been retreating further under the duvet, hoping spring is on its way soon 🥶🥶❄❄❄
So, in summary, despite aiming low for my Questing (run twice a week and do the Rudolph Run) I haven't managed either. Maybe I can make up for the former but the latter will have to wait until next year
It really is nippy and you have had a heck of a time!!!
Those my friend are not excuses... they are reasons why you could not, and should not have run!
Take it easy.... stay under the duvet... your goal, not written here. is to be kind to yourself and you are doing that. The runs will wait and the milder weather will surely come!
Thanks Oldfloss , sometimes it's best not to just push on, isn't it?
I'm feeling so much better now, everything seems to have healed so am considering Parkrun tomorrow, the weather here is forecast to be a sunny, balmy 0 C at 9am...maybe not 🥶❄❄❄
Happy Runniversary Oldfloss !! 7 years! Oh my! As they say, if you survive the 7-year itch, it’s smooth sailing from there! Hopefully that goes for runners as well!
I can’t believe I managed to keep a reasonably pattern of running the week before this one, as it feels ages since I’ve run! It’s really icy here, our water pipes have frozen and my work has ramped up even more. I sit here typing in my running beany to keep warm! 🤣🤣 So running took a complete back seat on my couch! (And hid in between the seats!) I’ll have to dig it out from in between the cushions when the weather gets warmer again, next week!
So where am I at this end of the second week of my quest?
🔲 ‼️0️⃣/3️⃣ Plan was to run (jeffing intervalls ) 3 times per week! But ice ice ice ice! 🧊 🧊🧊🧊 So no runs this week!!!!
✅ 5️⃣/3️⃣ I always tend to ramp up my rowing when I cannot run. And I had some fun experiencing some interval workout and a new immersive, live online racing course!
🔲 1️⃣/3️⃣ Ok, so I didn’t manage (again) 3 yoga sessions during the week,.
✅ 7️⃣/7️⃣ but managed the daily Resist-mas challenge?
So thanks for telling us off for giving ourselves a hard time! I needed to hear this!
P.s. I love the winter chicken! We used to have chickens, and I miss them! But first foxes had their fun, and then we thought we’d wait out the bird flu. So it’s been a bit more than a year since the last chicken ended up as neighbourly foxes’ winter meal!
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to CBDB
Yes, the foxes get hungry. My daughter and family have had rescue chickens and they have been okay... they have just one at the moment. You have no idea of rescue chooks age and they just died naturally! They have a visiting fox too, caught on theor webcam many times, but he obviously gets enough to eat elsewhere
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to CBDB
You seem to be on target with many things, except like many of us, on the times when wind and weather... or rather ice, have stopped us.
Bands done... Yoga...no... rowing yes...and surviving the waterpipe freeze! Do what we able and know that the ice will thaw. Well quested !
Hello Oldfloss and fellow questers. Good luck for your 7 year runniversary run tomorrow weather permitting! The parkruns closest to me have all been cancelled. My quests in week 2 have come to a halt.
1) No - do at least 4 x 20 minute walks in the park each week. Only managed 1 walk due to combination of foot pain, cold and icy conditions
2) No - do 3 x 30 minute sitting in chair work out with weights. Felt too cold to get into my gym kit and also felt too tired.
3) No - do 4 x 30 minute hurt foot friendly yoga workouts each week. Again felt too cold to get into my gym kit and also felt too tired
4) Yes - have at least one rest day - had 6!
On a more positive note I have started the rehabilitation exercises for my foot set by my physio and have done them consistently for 3 days now. I have managed to get an appointment next week for physio treatment after being told that I may have to wait upto 6 weeks before being seen - so that is very good news indeed! The physio said it could be upto 3 months before I can run again though but I'm hoping it will be sooner than that. I really should be pushing myself to do at least a few yoga and chair workouts as it makes me feel so much better afterwards - that will be my sub quest for this weekend!
Nor Runniversary run at the moment...-2.... ice still there and light snowfall on top... so, unless the rain forecast appears in the next couple of hours, and all the compacted stuff melts... it will be on hold until tomorrow..
Sometimes life, injury and weather put paid to many things we have planned, and all we are able to do is exactly what you did. Rest... but, with some exercise which we are able to do, inside.
You are doing those exercises, from your physio' and there are a wealth of ideas for yoga and chair workouts, on our own Strength and Flex Forum !
So... the overarching Quest for me this month I have realised is to bank some resilience-boosting activities, and part of that is perhaps not setting myself much in the way of 'must do'
However, so far:
The seaside
A wee project (I love a wee project, this one was to see some of the East Riding Puffins Galore)
A paddle in the sea (surprisingly warm)
Going to my book group
Doing my own jobs first before helping my mother with hers
A bath
A yoga session
Go to a light show (actually did two, very different)
Getting cards and letters out on time
And looking at the rest of the month, here's what I have planned...
Keep using foot cream
Keep using hand cream
Paint my fingernails
Have another bath
Get a run in
Another yoga session
A relaxation/yoga nidra/pranayama/meditation session
Listen to a full Radio Lento podcast (do check these out if you don't know them, wonderful soundscapes and after a weekend by the sea listening to the waves all night I know how valuable this sort of thing is to me)
Laugh at my early and traditional breaking of a resolution not to buy too much cheese for Christmas
Tidy up my reading so that I don't have so many books on the go at once
Lots of kisses and hand squeezes for MrGM no matter how often the light at the end of the tunnel turns out to be an oncoming train.
That sounds about right.. I was looking at it and thinking how many of those things I can relate to and would have on a list...Seaside... paddle... ( none now until January)..books everywhere... cheese...cards out...finding a book club! I am starting my water-colour class again in January if they have room for me!
No failing just responding to life and all the challenges it gives us.
You got 2 runs...you ran...not a far as you hoped but you ran... Boxing Day run.. to come..You started the stretching bit... you just need to carry it on..
Running and smiling... you are trying to.
I feel that this is a positive post.. you are still here, you are still running and yes, you will get to those goals... when the time is right!
7 years a runner, life time poet and good VRB. You are one very special lady, I'm not sure I have a quest this week, I ran 6k in under an hour this morning so a very happy snail, not sure there are any more runs this week though, so my quest is to write Christmas cards for my colleagues, they sit here as I knit frantically trying to finish a little girls Christmas cardigan Get better soon xx
Hello, I hope you are feeling better now, the cards got written, the work gifts got wrapped, we went to see amazing lights and only a sleeve left to knit, it's all a bit crackers but the end is in sight, wishing you well over Christmas and fun running in the New Year xx
Thanks for calling in, this is an old post. The Bridge Quest for January is already up..
Folk on the Quest are already Graduates and use the Quest for their own goals.. Do pop across to the new Quest and you'll see how it works . Maybe make sone new running goals of your own!
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