An odd run... but still a familiar joy...

[Oldfloss]

Another very short run under the belt..... I seem currently. to be meeting myself coming back !

Wind, weather, illness and recovery having slowed me down, have given way now to all manner of life issues. Mr OF dropping the oil filter cap down into the engine compartment... and all that getting a new one involves...including getting to where you need to be... extra days with small runner in training, and just getting back on track

I have been taking extra rest days, but I need to try to get into a little bit of a pattern!

Yesterday morning, I was going to run further, but that was not to be...

I woke late, for me, and a quick peek through the curtains whilst Mr OF fetched the tea tray up... I saw the give-away signs. Garden and cars covered with that silver sparkle, tell-tale clues that Jack Frost had visited. But no icy pavements!

So morning routine over...squats, squatted, and stretches, stretched...gear warmed and on and out into the day.

Everywhere was quiet... the railway crossing in the village is closed until May and the result? A distinct lack of traffic anywhere! Bliss.... I was going to run into the village and back around by Swan passage, but after I ran very slowly down towards the fields I became aware, very quickly, how cold the air was.

I was wearing my Buff and my balaclava... but I could still feel that air hitting my lungs. I am not sure whether the fact that I had Covid at Christmas has impacted in some way, but the feeling is like those pictures you see of ice, spreading along branches in time lapse!

It feels like ice spreading through the lungs!

Dramatic I know but enough to make me stop... and I was fine... good deep breaths, no tightness, but that icy feeling! So weird. I tucked everything around my nose again.

Anyway... I eased back, up the little hill and past McFitty 's Wood...someone is using the little path there... and just onto the field. No rush and just taking everything in.

My huge majestic tree, branched arms outstretched and etched against an achingly beautiful , blue sky.

I love that tree. I have walked under it, with my children and my grandchild, with my husband and alone. I have run past it so, so many times, all weathers and all seasons. It is part of me. Just far enough to take a photo and then I needed to turn...

Coach Bennett and I had reached the end of our 15 minutes...so, I pulled right back and took a very gentle, cold down and taking photos as I went.

Lenten roses, nestled again Daffodils bursting with green -spiked bravado through the hard frost encrusted soil...and with leaves silver tipped, almost hidden, my first primroses.

I walked back up the hill, no temptation to run... glad to be home.

I am so much stronger, I am not pushing too hard, and I will just take each run as it comes. Today was still a joy...despite weird feelings, a spirit lifter.... I know how lucky I am.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

That cold air very strange but what wonders you saw in your run Floss. Building back up is great and the best ever time if year, such beauty and newness

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

It was so, so icy... I have never experienced that sensation before. But, the run was full of joy and sights to lift the heart !

New beginnings? xxx

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Yes! Perfect 🙂 new beginnings are always exciting xxx

[Tbae]

Lovely read Floss.Uplifting and inspiring Floss.👩‍❤️‍👨🌟💪🙏✨

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Tbae]

Thank you my friend x

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Well done Oldfloss, glad you enjoyed that very short run today, those are 6 lovely photos you posted to all of us here on the forum, I am so glad that you are getting back as you say 'on track', no harm on taking extra days off, I am glad you enjoy your squats, I do them as well but I'am not sure if I do them correctly, I follow them on a YouTube video, I love your description of that run, "lenten roses, nestled again daffodils bursting with green" beautiful, I agree with you saying that 'how lucky I am', you certainly are very lucky.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you my friend.... I do so love soaking in the beauty around me. Nature is breathtaking!

The short run count and they do help a lot. My squats have become a regular part of my life.. they are so useful and Sumo squats , where you raise your ankle at the same time, are so good for strengthening the calves and ankles.

We are blessed Al. we are still out there and still running x

[LottieMW Ambassador]

What a strange feeling! But what gorgeous pictures…and the signs of Spring coming everywhere.

Little and often…I found those shorter runs kept me going when my mojo was at a low ebb…

Crisp and clear mornings…don’t you just love them 💕

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to LottieMW]

I do indeed love them, they are a feast for the eyes and food for the soul. Yes, the short runs do have the wonderful knack of keeping is ticking over.

It was the oddest feeling and I an so glad that nowster knew what I meant. I am sorry he experienced it though, obviously. It will be interesting to see if anyone else has had similar issues.

Spring is, indeed, creeping slowly towards us.x

[nowster Graduate10]

My feeling when I had COVID last April was indeed like ice spreading into my lungs! I had that for just one night, but it was extremely unnerving at the time.

Great to see you getting out and about again. Maybe you can work up to being tail walker at Pwllheli parkrun in the summer? 😉😆

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Phew... thank you!!! That has reassured me greatly, you are exactly right , unnerving is the word. I did wonder whether it was just the fact that I had it and because I am older, etc. etc... But you are a mere youngster!

Yes, I think that tail walking is a plan... we will be back in March, so I shall spy my chance!

Thank you so much!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Lovely run report Floss. Its a reminder to me that your best effort is always enough. Every run counts and every run is worth it.

Sorry that the cold air was so uncomfortable. I hope that once you got back inside that feeling went away.

I remember we had the same issue as Mr OF once, easily done.

Signs of spring are there, we have seen some daffodils in bloom!

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🌿xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Oh lovely... we call daffodils, the trumpeters of Spring! Lucky you!

Yes, indeed, once I was tucked onto my Bugg again and had finished the run it was fine... the running breathing of the icy air, despite the buff and it was a winter weight one, clearly is still affecting my lungs? I have been reading around but found nothing really helpful

You are so right, the best effort we give, is enough, we are enough. Yes, sometimes it is the right thing for us to challenge ourselves a tad, but there is so much merit in, taking joy from what we are able to do.

The oil cap! In the , good old days, ( ha ha), the cap would have dropped through...but the compartments are all sealed now! He was so cross with himself! But Matt took him to get the new one when it arrived at the garage! All sorted now xxx

Thank you xxx

[Dendev75 Graduate10]

That’s a beautiful tree - like one you would draw in a storybook. Did the cold weather affect you pre-covid? It’s my first winter of running and I’ve decided that 2degrees or lower is too cold for me to breathe and run . Your adventure sounds like a lovely one - take care xx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Dendev75]

It is an incredible tree... I have quite literally hundreds of photographs of it...

Re the cold air, re- Covid, no it didn't... I can honestly say, I have never felt a sensation like it, and I have been out in very cold weather, up in the welsh mountains climbing and camping; it happened a bit on a run a day or so ago, but it was not as cold and I was running in a more enclosed space, with houses around and trees, so I assume, warmer air.

I have made the decision this morning that if it is below 0 degrees, I shall give it a miss..Yoga and indoor walking today.

Thank you, I still enjoyed the run... who wouldn't ? xx

My tree in winter...

[Dendev75 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

That’s strange but yes sounds like a good plan to stick to warmer temps to avoid it.

That’s a lovely frosty looking tree there ❄️ ☺️ xx

[doggytail Graduate10]

Lovely read OF you have a gift with the pen.So pleased you are once again enjoying your runs and beautiful pics x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to doggytail]

Thank you so much, it is, once again, a joy to be able to get out, even on those short runs and then return home to ramble about it x

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

Lovely set of pictures. It was bitterly cold in the morning. Not fun for breathing-keeping it short and sweet definitely the best idea. These cold snaps are tricky! Glad you had Coach B there to keep you company.

It’s so great that you’re on the way back again. Having had time out definitely helps with appreciating the blessing it is to be able to get out for a run!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thanks you... there was a fleeting moment of wishing I could head on, but, just looking around and knowing that there is another run, another day, is enough. So many things to see and it is just like having the world to yourself... I love it x

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

I know those feelings well! ❤️

[Agelesslass Graduate10]

This sounds like a run/walk to fill you with gratitude Oldfloss. You got out there and despite recently recovering from Covid, which does leave long lasting nasty bits in your body, hence your icy breaths. Well done and keep going, spring is around the corner.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Agelesslass]

It truly was ... Yes, this virus has left overs that keep reappearing... so many folk getting all manner of weird kickbacks over the months after the actual Covid period.

It was a great little run otherwise and seeing all the different plants all finding a little place in the frosty border was wonderful! Thank you x

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

Isn't it good to be back out again !We seen to have mirrored our running pattern over the last few months , even prior to Tim's run!

We seem to be taking similar strides forward !

Long may it continue 😊🤞x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

We do...and it's great to have the company..we are moving forward..x

[Elfe5 60minGraduate]

Hi OF, such a blue sky, morning fresh run - thank you for taking us with you and sharing that heart lifting enjoyment.

Lenten roses - I love them! I must visit the bottom of the garden & see what mine are doing. A friend taught me to pick and float a few flower heads in a little dish of water - a bit like floating candles - as a way to appreciate all their speckled glory. - Now why didn’t GM Hopkins pop them into his wonderful poem ‘Pied Beauty’!?😂

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Elfe5]

Oh yes! I have a lovely Folio edition of his works.. I may try that...but I will have to now go down to my daughter's .the ones I planted are in what is now their garden!It was a lovely, lovely run.

I'm off to find that book now..thanks for reminding me!!

[Beatlesforever Graduate10]

What a wonderful post, an absolutely beautiful read. And I particularly loved reading about that tree 😍 I always say if I'm to come back after I die, I want to come back as a tree.Enjoy your journey back xx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Beatlesforever]

Thank you...yes..a wonderful thought..a strong beautiful tree..moving with the seasons, growing and enriching the world around it..xxx

[CBDB Graduate10]

what a lovely run you two had (Coach Bennett and you!). And I also love the trees that have become my daily accompaniment.

Tree

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

We did..he is of course a special friend! 😉 Yes..trees on our routes become markers and companions .Thank you.

[sparky66 Graduate10]

Wonderful description of your morning oldfloss 🤗Your tree sounds so special... Beautiful .. she'l have been pleased to feel you pass her once more...🙏

I hope you will continue to improve..

Well done 🏃‍♀️🤗

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to sparky66]

Thank you...I do feel the tree knows when I pass by!...Yes...every little helps!

[Cowladyrunning Graduate10]

I know what you mean with the cold air. But how lovely are the sparkling frosty mornings? I love them. I do love your special tree too, and what lovely memories around it too.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Cowladyrunning]

The mornings simply do sparkle ! I love my tree... so many emmories..including small runner in training's Mama falling into nettles around the back of it when she was only a youngster!

[Cowladyrunning Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Ouch! Learning from nature's stings! All special in the big outdoors.

[LiisaM in reply to Oldfloss]

I found it humorous that you referred to your daughter as “small runner in training’s Mama” instead of “my daughter.”

Is the tree an oak? We have one that looks like that near a creek. The creek gets quite a bit of water flow after some good rains which scares us a little because we worry the tree might topple due to erosion happening over time. We’re thinking about shoring up the tree side of the creek with stones/rocks to protect the tree.

All your pictures are lovely to see in your post.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to LiisaM]

Interesting... No.. for a time because we had not got close up to it we thought Oak...but it is not.

I am hoping our tree remains for years to come... the land it grows on was part of the grounds to the Castle... our own garden, and meadow, of the house where the small one and family live now, was part of the orchard of that castle.

I did niot linger too long though on the run!