Back again.... eight days in Wales... guaranteed to refresh, renew and recharge.
A bonus break with some glorious sunshine, stunning sunsets, walking, reading , walking and painting! Oh and a run or three !
Wales … I know! I am always rambling about it, but it holds so many memories for me. As past posts have shown. From childhood to present times...
Wales for me, has a magic... a tangible thing... not a vague feeling; it has the power to seep into my soul and lift me from even the darkest depths!
So.... three runs of Week 2 of C25K repeat done...The runs were gentle... slow and steady as I progress and taken with a fair amount of caution.
But as the programme suggests, each run each week makes you stronger... and so it is.
I am as you know, repeating C25K again and enjoying it... and the soundtracks also...As I listen to the words, it strikes me how relevant they are, to what I am feeling over the last weeks... and so it was today.
Knowing that yes, I am stronger than I think, yes, I do have the power, to be knocked down and yet, to come back again... and again, and even again, I set out this morning, for the first run of Week 3.
The early morning mist was giving way to the first fingertips of sunlight as I prepared to head out...my warm up sessions are longer than usual as I need to be really well prepared, even for these short running sessions. They very much build on all I have been doing over the last weeks to stay fit and moving. So... faffage notwithstanding, in my efforts to try to find a slightly warmer cap...there is a sharp wind out there and I dislike cold ears, out I go... into the quiet of a Sunday morning... not that early, but curtained windows at most of the houses, tell their own story.
Nature here seems to be a real paintbox palette of colour and texture right now...with some summer bedding still burgeoning with life and colour, yet some trees with leaves dipped in brown and gold... and already falling to the ground. I seem to be the only person around and my feet echo slightly in the stillness of the day... I have not thought of a route at all but decide that yes, if I get the timings right I could head to my fields. I can get the walks in and the runs... and see what has been going on in the eight weeks since I ran there.
Down the hill and for the first time maybe, I find a little hint of a pace... breathing comes easier, earlier and my legs are just doing what they do, as Laura just quietly supports me. I am focusing less on what I am doing, and more on what I always do... looking around and soaking up every single sensation. As I pass the long empty, Shoe shop in the village.... I catch a glimpse of myself as Laura is advising against , bouncy running! Well, no one on the other side of a wall would know if I was walking or running.. I look pretty good!
Over the road and up the lane past McFitty 's wood.... and the words from a poem learned long ago, comes into my head...unbidden... “... They shut the road through the woods, Seventy years ago... Weather and rain have undone it again...” It is not a large wood , but it is a pleasing one... full of character and hidden depths... although deserted now by the Rooks who made it their home.
A walking session ends, as I make the field and I am able to run for one of the three minute bursts along towards the railway. My Majestic friend welcomes me with open bough-arms and I am hardly aware of my feet on the track. Brought to a halt quite suddenly, by a friendly dog and owner. Archie is well behaved and sits very politely as his owner chats... I pause but not for long...but long enough for the track to move on. Tech glitching, I move on and find I am repeating a ninety second run....oh well!
The next track which I have heard once on this session, is talking of trees and fields and sunshine.. taking away but giving back...I am certainly taking away, a little piece of the day, but I do try in my rambles to give a little back too
The session is almost over and I am surprised. I am not tired, I am relaxed and happy. I am where I am at ease, and I feel an overwhelming sense of thankfulness. I am able to sort out my thoughts and the familiar fields around me gives me the time to do it. Off the fields and down the hill.. feet light, kissing the ground in the last run, until Laura tells me to slow down, but to keep walking.
I obey. Taking time to notice discarded, empty Conker cases... a contrast to the still blooming, roses in many a garden... and as I walk up the hill... ( yes, I did say walk), I am conscious of my relaxed shoulders, my easy stride, and the smile that has been on my face from the onset.
Breakfast awaits... a treat this morning... fresh made pancakes, banana and Manuka honey... I am still working to getting my weight back on!
The day is before me... and yes, I am strong enough to face it...and the best bit... MR OF is as pleased and happy as I am.... and that makes me even stronger.
Floss x
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Oldfloss
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The pancakes were exceptionally tasty... and I really was ready for them too. It is good to be running again and good to have an appetite back too...thanks you x
What a lovely Oldfloss ramble, and as always you took us along with you on your gentle journey. It’s so great to hear you are back on c25k again.
It must be so lovely for you both to be back in Wales for the last bit of summer. The sunsets have certainly been beautiful down here.
Enjoy!
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Dexy5
Such a joy.... and although it is early days... I feel more like myself again... and the time to just run and relax is helping my mind set enormously. My run today felt like a normal run and I have felt stronger all day as a result... Wales doe us both so much good... we did exactly what we wished and just soaked everything up... we sleep very soundly there too ! Always good for recharging the batteries... thanks you xxx
I cannot express how much Nature impacts on my life...I feel that for so many of us, the chance ot get put, for just a long slow walk immersed in Nature would help them. It does not take the worries away, it does not pay bills or reduce the pressures of current life, but I feel it does give us more strength to handle them.
The runs now, mean that I can move forward more confidently too....thank youx
Love reading your posts. Makes me want to head to Wales tomorrow! 😃😊
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to CBDB
You must.... just find time... so many beautiful places to lift the body and soul... anytime of the year too. There really is always a welcome there...Thank you x
Oooh what a lovely read Floss, everyone here reading this will be smiling and happy to hear how well you are doing too!🏃♀️I am.
That poem, seemed familiar so I looked it up, Kipling of course, a favourite of yours. I hope you don't mind me pasting it in here, its so beautiful.
They shut the road through the woods
Seventy years ago.
Weather and rain have undone it again,
And now you would never know
There was once a road through the woods
Before they planted the trees.
It is underneath the coppice and heath,
And the thin anemones.
Only the keeper sees
That, where the ring-dove broods,
And the badgers roll at ease,
There was once a road through the woods.
Yet, if you enter the woods
Of a summer evening late,
When the night-air cools on the trout-ringed pools
Where the otter whistles his mate,
(They fear not men in the woods,
Because they see so few.)
You will hear the beat of a horse's feet,
And the swish of a skirt in the dew,
Steadily cantering through
The misty solitudes,
As though they perfectly knew
The old lost road through the woods.
But there is no road through the woods.
You are still a teacher at heart, giving us a hint and encouraging us to look further...
It made me think of 'Is there anyone there said the traveller, knocking on the moonlit door'...
I'm glad you enjoyed your longer break in Wales, your 50th Wedding Anniversery properly celebrated now. Good to hear that you both enjoyed the sea air.
I love that poem... I am re-learning the last stanzas...thank you for putting it here... I did do a lesson on that poem with my Year 4 children once... they loved it... there was a section in the Literacy programme at the time.. and we also used The Listeners too...My children were amazingly receptive , as much of the content took them right out of their reality. It was one of my Mum's favourites!
That longer break was perfect and probably better suited to celebrate our Golden Wedding than Broadway would have been, Gentle familiar memories and places and new roads found too, even after all these years!
It was good to get some normal steady and low runs begun. It feels good.... Thank you my friend x
Nature and peace, what a powerful combination. I sometimes think we speed through seasons without really noticing the beauty of the one we're in. C25K is always there for us isn't it? ❤️
It is. The runs are patient...like Nature itself. That is why I love to run and miss it so when unable to get out. Watching the year change with a front row seat! x
You write so evocatively. I felt as if I was right there with you. Fabulous post and wonderful running 🏃♂️
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Sax64
Thank you,,, my rambles are inclined to go on a bit, but they have been part of my running ever since the first week...It is good to get out there and then share the run with friends x
Aww bless you, what a lovely post and lovely positive news about you and OF. I could also almost imagine the route and what you had seen. Nature is a great comfort, calms the mind and brings us peace when we most need it. Take care 🤗
Nature is amazing... just walking through a forest... running over a field track or walking gently out and about with Mr OF works wonders! Thanks you !
what a beautiful post, I have been so busy not been able to run for a week and today awaiting the gas man so fingers crossed for tomorrow I have a window of time! Have a 5k fun run next weekend so need to get moving.
Beautiful 😍 just beautiful 😍 to read of your return to running, return to strength, both inner after the trials life has thrown your way and the physical, legs gaining strength, heart strong to give you back some of the peace that running brings xx
Hi Oldfloss, I have been mostly absent from the forums recently due to injury, although I still pop on from time to time. I read this today and scrolled back to catch up on your posts and am so sorry that it has been such a difficult time for you and Mr OF. I hope he continues to regain his strength and that you manage to tame the anxiety that I am so aware of myself!
I have just been given the go ahead by my physio to gently return to my own runs - so will no doubt be checking in a little more regularly to share and soak up all the inspiration here: your post, as ever was beautiful and moving and actually very much what I needed to lift me today. Good luck.x
Oh gosh... poor you... you have had a bit of a rough time... I am so glad that you have the go ahead to run again... will it be a gentle return?
It has been tricky and yes, there are moments when I have felt totally helpless to improve things... but so many folk on here who have struggles too and their support and their posts have helped me move on. I am still having my walk/talk sessions although these are moving to fortnightly now... they have helped enormously. I know that you understand how this anxiety takes over... I have some really strong strategies now and have learned so much about the way to tame the beast!
I am glad that this has lifted you... and I look forward to your first return to running post ! Thank you xxx
Love this so much! So much to celebrate-running again, building strength, MrOF improving, beautiful locations and Wales! Plus pancakes. Just wonderful. ❤️❤️❤️
Celebrations indeed... and the return to running, alongside the improvements that are showing now is really the best ! Just to get out there and move... Thanks you x
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