Pre Christmas stress runs!

[Roxdog]

Bit of a ramble coming!Those of you who know me, know that my running has been a bit patchy over the last few months, with so much life stuff going on, some good, some not so good.The couple of weeks before Tim's run were going well and then a whole lot more life stuff got in the way. I knew that running in the lead up to Christmas would be good for me, as Christmas is associated with some very sad events in the past for me. So many people feel under pressure this time of year.

So, I managed a mini jogette on Monday morning in the rain, planning to get another run in before my family descends on me.

Today I met my dad for coffee in the local town and was going to pop to my sister in law's with my husband in the afternoon. In town I suddenly remembered I needed to buy some emergency Christmas supplies. In the queue a woman was cheerfully, but somewhat desperately, saying 'we should all just say no!'. Another woman let a door close in my face in her haste to get into the shop. I thought to myself that these are stressed women in the lead up to Christmas and I don't want to feel like that.

After walking up 5 flights of stairs with two heavy shopping bags to get to my car, I realised I too was feeling quite stressed. So on the spur of the moment, I decided to run and cancel going out with my husband. He understands this stuff!

What a glorious and freeing run it was. My longest run for a while. On my lovely canal along to the woods, with the smell of wet leaves. Up onto the hill with the views across Surrey and London. Bare arms because it was so warm. I gave myself permission to run slowly and to breathe properly.

I may be slow, I may be nowhere near my peak when I ran 10 miles, but I am now a seasoned runner. I am addicted and sometimes I run just to remind myself I'm alive 🤣 I will just see what happens. Each run will just be the run it's meant to be.

Have a lovely Christmas everyone- I do love this forum.🤗

[Beatlesforever Graduate10]

It sounds like this run was just what you needed! Well done ☺️ have a wonderful, stress-free Christmas! 🎄🦌⛄

[Roxdog Graduate10 in reply to Beatlesforever]

And you!

[Cmoi Graduate10]

Oh well done Roxdog , such a therapeutic run for you, and a beneficial read for us too! Joyeux Noël ! xx

[Roxdog Graduate10 in reply to Cmoi]

Happy 🎄

[Oldlady64]

Not a ramble at all, it’s a really great post!

It is indeed a highly pressured time of year and feeling pulled in so many directions is very understandable. I admire you walking up five flights of stairs with shopping, don’t think I could do that!

Your run sounds fabulous. What a treat to get out and enjoy the scenery.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10]

Wonderful post Roxdog - "sometimes I run just to remind myself I'm alive" Oh yes! Sounds like the perfect run for you.

I think it's a stressful time of year for many of us, for all sorts of reasons. I finished work on Friday and thought I would have tons of time for runs and swims and woodland walks. Nope!

I will just do what I can, when I can and exactly as you say, the runs will be just what they are meant to be.

Happy Christmas!

[Roxdog Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

I hope you have a restful break, with perhaps the odd run thrown in!

[dijep Graduate10]

I love your post. After so many runs I've felt my mood lift my or my energy levels rise, or my worries ease ... So many benefits from such a simple thing.

I'm glad it worked for you.

Five flights of stairs sounds awful 😕

[Roxdog Graduate10 in reply to dijep]

Well, they were short flights! I make myself walk up stairs to be honest, but overdid it today!

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate]

GO YOU!!!! Just what you needed and it worked !

In ran that with you as I read it... and I am sitting on bed here in the Staffs Moorlands... thank you... that was just what I needed !

Well done.... xxx

[Roxdog Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Get better soon!