Calm Mind, Brings Inner Strength...Dalai Lama - Bridge to 10K

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Calm Mind, Brings Inner Strength...Dalai Lama

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate
49 Replies

Having been inspired, once again by another of our forum friends... I was out, Friday morning, on a twenty minute run, thank you  MissUnderstanding :)

I was a little short on time.; a lunch time visit from small runner in training and Mama, a few errands to run and then, a recurring technical glitch, (which continued until late), all contributed to, doing quite simply, what I am able.

It has been a tad hectic, time consuming, and a tad draining, here on the forums over the last week or so and it is sometimes very important to just ease back, take a deep breath and go with the flow. A run was needed.

I had a wonderful first 5K in a long , long time on Sunday, but today... this was one that took me down , yes, you have guessed it, my beloved fields....

I took C B with me, as I have neglected him a little over the last months, he though, does not bear any grudges and was as attentive as ever.

The village at the moment is cut into two... the railway crossing, closed until May except to pedestrians has served to frustrate, quieten and lengthen, in equal measure. Frustration... that there is no access directly, lengthen... adding to the average journey by at least 20 minutes and quieten...all the roads in close proximity. But I had to get down there to get to the fields!

So...gear already set out the night before... warmed nicely...cuppa enjoyed and after the regular warm up, I was out into the morning. Not half-term until next week, so as I made the lane leading up the hills, there were a few High School folk heading down towards the Halls of Academia!

I headed at the CB regulation easy pace around the Crescent and rejoining the lane, downhill, I passed a young lass, who shouted a cheery good morning, and a ...” Go you, you look terrific... “ I thanked her, a lot, and ran on! Down to the crossing where the latecomers to school were being careful watched and directed by a railway operative resplendent in fluorescent yellow, ( the trains are still running), he directed me too... with a loud,"... come on love, you are doing well”!

I headed up to the fields , past  McFitty 's wood and on...

As I turn onto the track, not exactly the Primrose Path, but certainly, Snowdrop Steps. Snow drops, everywhere...even in the rough undergrowth of the hedges and fences. The great thing about my fields...they are, most of the time, deserted., and it is wonderful!

Coach Bennett is murmuring sweet nothings into my ear, I am running easy, I am badass,; he tells me that when I am peaceful, I am strong...he is of course, correct.

The green shoots of the winter wheat are showing,,, the track has dried out a tad with the sunshine of yesterday...the copse of trees around the pond where I and the girls spent many a sun-filled hour, still stand guard over their secrets... memories drift in and out, magical or melancholy, as my friend  Irishprincess may remember, but I am still at ease. Time is a healer, though not always a cure.

The distant views stretch away into a light mist, my steps are light and my breathing steady. The twenty minutes are seeping away, and I must turn for home. I do turn, reluctantly, Wordsworth style, “...proud and exulting, like an untired horse, that cares not for its home...”.

My feet, though moving slowly seem to barely touch the ground, over the sleepers of the steam railway and down towards my tree.... CB and the 20 minutes have gone... but a loss of signal and the need to round up to a 3K are in order. I head back down towards the crossing, over and past the stream.

The run is done. Another step closer to normality. The ups and downs of life are always there; and sometimes words, especially harsh ones, have a power to lower the spirits and weaken the resolve, but... twenty minutes outdoors...it all becomes clear. Such beauty, such calm, such peace.

There is nothing to say... even for me :)

Floss x

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Oldfloss
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49 Replies
Dendev75 profile image
Dendev75Graduate10

Just ❤️ xx

apatsyf profile image
apatsyfGraduate10

😍🥰🐎🌳🌱🤗

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator

Very well done Floss. I love this time of year. New life and freshness in the air. Being outside is so good for the soul.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to damienair

So true... my Nan used to say, a feast for the eyes and food for the soul x

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Graduate10

With you…EVERY… STEP… OF… THE… WAY!❤️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Sandraj39

I am glad...glad you are out there too... it is good to be back isn't it:)x

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss

😊🙏

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57Graduate10

You have said it all ! ...... Very well done 🙂 x

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Instructor57

Never short on words... and I talk too much as well... it was a very gentle one, but I am feeling a lot stronger... and hoping to do a slightly longer run in again tomorrow. % K last week, 6 K tomorrow... xxx

Roxdog profile image
RoxdogGraduate10

Your beloved fields! How wonderful.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Roxdog

I am lucky aren't I xx

Chinkoflight profile image
Chinkoflight

Fab.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Chinkoflight

It was x

MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministratorGraduate10

Aw, fantastic! I’m not running today because I’m still feeling a bit rough but I feel like I’ve been out there with you. ❤️❤️❤️

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to MissUnderstanding

Oh gosh... I hoped you may be feeling a tad better... it was a lovely outing and you would have enjoyed it I know ! It will be, I hope part of a longer run tomorrow... aiming to reach the next village! You can come too... I'll take a photo! x

MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministratorGraduate10 in reply to Oldfloss

Thanks! My husband is away so I had a great no alarm clock lie in this morning which definitely helped. Colds are always worse first thing. Feeling a bit better this afternoon now I’ve been sitting up and had a very short walk to the shop for some treats. They’d sold out of croissants by the time I got there though. Sad times! Still, some nice coffee and a custard tart did the job.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to MissUnderstanding

Glad you are improving! Yes..First thing and last thing.. The walk will have done you good, I'm sure x

MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministratorGraduate10 in reply to Oldfloss

It was so nice to have had a change of scenery and a few cobwebs blown away. Well, a lot of cobwebs actually! Super windy here today. The birds were struggling to stay under control!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to MissUnderstanding

Wheeeee...it was windy here and sunny...then a sudden downpour wet all my washing ! I was painting in my studio and made a mad scramble to get it off the line!!🤣🏃‍♀️

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate1060minGraduate

🥰😃💪👏🏃🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌪️🌅💮🚊🏅🧦👟🕓❤️✅I have no words

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to SueAppleRun

Getting there my friend... slow and steady :) xxx

OldManRunning profile image
OldManRunningGraduate10

I'm jealous Oldfloss 😊 but very happy for you 😉

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to OldManRunning

Thank you... you have had some lovely runs too, in some beautiful locations x

OldManRunning profile image
OldManRunningGraduate10

Agreed Oldfloss agreed. 2 struggling runs this week and pulling out of PR after 0.5k has my little head down a bit so it was lovely to read your post ☺️

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to OldManRunning

Oh gosh... it happens, and I really do know how hard it is to lift that chin up again, believe me.

That is why, being part of this terrific running community is so important. There is always someone to talk to and who will know how it feels., and who will take you vicariously on their runs too. I have had some really low spots, over the 7 + years running, but the high spots outweigh them ten-fold... thanks to the forum friends here.

You will be back to full strength soon!

OldManRunning profile image
OldManRunningGraduate10

You're right and I will and thank you for reminding me 😁

Sulley101 profile image
Sulley101Graduate10

What a lovely write-up! You have a way with words! The idea of CB whispering sweet nothings into my ear makes me smile too! 😂

MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministratorGraduate10 in reply to Sulley101

You’re not alone there!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Sulley101

Well, he and I do have a special understanding! Thank you xxx

LottieMW profile image
LottieMWAmbassador

lovely words OF…I can feel the calmness seeping out.

Mother Nature is certainly good for what ails us 💚🌳🌱

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to LottieMW

Isn't it though...? I often just go outside, in the evening.. just to breathe....thank you xxx

dijep profile image
dijepGraduate10

Thanks for taking me on your run, I really enjoyed it 😊

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to dijep

You are very, very welcome x

skysue16 profile image
skysue16Graduate10

So glad you found time to get out in the fields 😊 lovely photos

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to skysue16

Thanks Sue... I know you are getting back on track too xx

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate10

Now, having read this, I cannot wait to get out there tomorrow morning. Let’s run on!

🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏼‍♂️🏃🏻🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏽🏃‍♂️🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏾‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃🏼🏃🏾‍♀️🏃‍♀️

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to CBDB

Let's!

aliboo70 profile image
aliboo70Graduate10

Sounds perfect,well done Floss😘one of your lovely descriptive posts xxx

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to aliboo70

Getting there Ali... just getting there!. How are you doing? x

aliboo70 profile image
aliboo70Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss

A bit lost, it's still feeling strange without my boy🐕🐶Kenny and I are going to a cross country event in the morning,feel like doing something different and with a purpose. Will be very slow but just plod round xxx

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to aliboo70

Hug to you.... xxx Times change.... enjoy xxx

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10

Coach Bennett sounds like the perfect companion for this run Oldfloss . Lots of positivity, and support. I did the OK 5k again this week , which you introduced us to. Also, so full of good advice.

We do appreciate all the time you spend on here, supporting HU and it’s members, when there are many other things in your life that should rightly take higher priority. We are very lucky indeed. You are a super snail indeed. 🐌 ⭐️

Frenc profile image
FrencGraduate1060minGraduate

Hello OF! Go you, you are terrific indeed 😁. I love how small interactions can make a run extra special. And your description of your run is lovely, I’ve missed CB but I’ve downloaded a ton of his 30 min runs for when I graduate again, and am looking forward to seeing spring in all of its glory once I can start going a bit longer again. Mind you it’ll probably be summer by then! But I can wait. All the best OF! 😊😊😊

Cantstopmenow profile image
CantstopmenowGraduate10

Thank you. Beautiful. I love the words "20 minutes outdoors and it all becomes clear" ❤️ There is such a grounding peace and beauty to be found as we appreciate the simple snowdrop and the hope it holds, the fresh air and simply moving our bodies. We have the wonderful opportunity to see and enjoy so much. I am thankful. Xx

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Cantstopmenow

We are so lucky...and you are right , it is a grounding peace. Good to sit here and share these thoughts... we can give so much to each other, and take back also.

Hope, held in a simple snowdrop... I am painting snowdrops in my water colours class... leaves were finished yesterday, and I am hoping... :) my flowers will turn out well. at class this week. I shall think of your words...Our teacher is so good and has some wonderful ways to enable us to simply paint...

I was out this morning and varied my route a tad... again so many different things to see. The legs just moving and the rest of us following and taking it all in. Thank you so much for popping in this morning xxx

Cantstopmenow profile image
CantstopmenowGraduate10

xx

Snowdrop in sunlight
Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Cantstopmenow

Just beautiful...thank you x

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10

Such a beautiful post Floss 😍 and there is something magical in a twenty minute run isn’t there? Maybe it’s just that it’s always a reminder of our C25K run and is always special.

And what a lovely thing for the stranger to say to you. Perhaps she’s a runner too 🙂 I bet you ran on with a lighter heart 🥰

The snowdrops are just gorgeous at the minute and their appearance brightens up my runs. I saw these on a bank by the side of the road this morning and just had to stop to take a photo.

Enjoy your running and you know you’re always beside me on mine xxx

Snowdrops on roadside.
Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate

Hello x

Thank you for this beautiful photograph... just lovely... those little flowers seem to be everywhere right now:)

Yes... 20 minutes seems just right sometimes... with no pressure at all and yet, still takes us where we wish to be. I was so pleased when she commented... and yes, it does lift your head a little higher and the steps are a little lighter too.

It is good to be out when the day is sunnier and we can appreciate the first signs of Spring to come... more relaxed and not as bundled up as in the colder runs. I wore my cap this morning for a slightly longer run... but when I made the fields... I wished I had my woolly one on... quite a chilly wind!

It is so good to know that we run with friends with us, isn't it..., tucked away beside us maybe, but always there. Thank you x

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