It is the DECEMBER...RRRRRRR QUEST ...WEEK 3.... Remember...It is only cold...

[Oldfloss]

Here I am … Yes it is me!! Late again, I hear you say!

Where have I been? Well, whizzing around like a whirlwind and generally trying to get organised !

We have had milder weather here and the rain finally abated... not overly warm, but a heck of a lot better!

I am continuing with regular exercise supporting my runs and using some of the great ideas on Strength and Flex. CBDB ' s Advent challenge and ToothPickJafah and her step routines are great... I have popped a fun, Dance your way to Winterval, one up too!

BUT... great news for me... I finished my repeat of C25K and I re-graduated on Sunday!!!! Yeayayayya . No 5K this time...but I am obviously eight years older!

NOW...more importantly than my tales of running, I need to what you are up to ? Are you getting the runs in, and able to follow your questing goals?

Time can seem to be in short supply, so be sure to try to be kind to yourself. pop in some rest day exercise too, to keep you going!

Please, do, let us know how the Quest is going and if you have not YET joined us, it is not too late!

SO!

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.

You need to be 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 strength and flex exercises to your weekly routine

* Yoga goals

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...”

If you have any questions about anything ….just ask !

Do take it gently as we move towards the very busy, exciting times in the next few weeks.

Oldfloss x

[CBDB Graduate10]

RE-CONGRATULATIONS for re-finishing C25k!

your post reads full of energy and spirit! Go you!!!

See you on the mat, on the walks, the runs and various dances! 🙌👏👏👏👏👏👍🏽

My challenge is as simple as getting back to my usual self of running 2-3 times a week, rowing 4-5 times a week and adding some walks and S&F in-between.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

Thanks you ! yes... we will be shaking it up, stretching and flexing up to Winterval! Well done you on your continuing return to full strength !

Your goals seem very achievable...just be kind to yourself... en route Walking always sounds good to me! x

[5KCouch]

I didn't finish my quest as planned. Covid-19 got in the way of the grand finale, which was supposed to be my very first Parkrun. Oh well.

BUT: Congratulations with achieving your goal!

I had an easy 2.5 km walk yesterday. No problems, felt fine, so I'll go on from there, no rushing it. Some things are easier this time. The weather is back to normal for this time of year, No cold spell and very little snow in downtown Oslo.

So I won't have to struggle with the conditions - yet 😀

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10]

Congratulations (again) on your C25K success Oldfloss , can't be said often enough

As for me, I reached the Blue level on NRC, so that's a goal achieved.

I'm over half way to the distance I covered in December 2021 (14km vs 25 km) so, all being well, I'm on track to exceed that.

As for running on Christmas Day, well, that'll have to wait a few days, won't it? 🎅🎄

Happy Questing everyone

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

It cannot I am feeling so loved and valued right now... sometimes a few folk forget that the tea, are just runners, like them,. with all the issues and worries etc... and it is lovely to have the friendship and the support of folk who know that we feel just like them

So glad you reached your target of Blue level... I think you are well on track for that distance goal too!

Yes... Christmas Day run will wait... and it will be super !

Well done you!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

It's such an achievement to re graduate 👍😄👍, No quest for me again this week it's one step forward and two back with this nasty lurgy, the teenager seem to be better but daughter and I are still coughing, which doesn't help with sleep and energy, but less unwell than we were so hopeful for running soon.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you ... yes, I have had a few re grads... but this one... well, it felt different and very special!

Oh my goodness, I am sorry to hear you and the family are still suffering! Not really a great time to have this, when there are so many bugs out there just ready to pounce! I am trying to avoid any busy places! Hopefully, you will steadily begin to shake it off and feel better too!

Runs wait as you and I well know... so take it gently and see how you go... x

[chrisl72 Graduate10]

Hi Oldfloss, another quick one from me - as you know from the other forum, I completed my Quest a few days ago with my first ever half-marathon distance My time was 2:32:51.

So my remaining Quest for December is to run three times per week with no more heroics until I decide what to do in the new year!

And congratulations once more on your re-graduation

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to chrisl72]

Thanks again and well done you... that was a great time for that HM distance... Just take it gently over the next couple of weeks maybe... do what you are able and enjoy, before you think on next year ?

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Hi Oldfloss and lovely runners! Congratulations Oldfloss on re-completing Couch to 5K - and that comes from someone who is doing the very same after a long period of struggling with an injury that turned in to high hamstring tendinosis!

I now, (after many weeks of strengthening my core, hips, glutes etc) find myself ready to re-embark on my running journey again, so I have just started the program again myself! It does seem strange, just after my 8 year runniversary, to find myself back on Week 1 of Couch… but hey, ho - such is the runners life!🙂😕🤣

I have been told that my return needs to be a gentle and slow build up (progressive load on the tendon), so this feels like the way to go.

So, I guess if I have a Quest - it remains to keep doing all the strengthening exercises (my tummy is definitely looking flatter, so that’s a win right there!🙂) And also to run 2-3 times a week and hope that things don’t flare up!

It’s been hard not being able to run and there have been times where I have even worried that I won’t get back to where I was - but then I give myself a good talking to, read some of the inspiring stories on here…and know - that this journey isn’t over for me yet! 🙂💪🤞

Have a lovely Christmas everyone - and enjoy those runs!🎄🙂🏃🏾‍♂️🏃‍♀️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

Hello!

Sorry for this late reply! I am busy trying to catch up with the days! Thank you so much,, good to get back to 30 minutes!

You sound to have had a very rough and uncomfortable time...and to be starting again after 8 years? Well, i seems odd, nut take it from me, it will be the right choice and you will find it so beneficial. A gentle and familiar old friend.

No pressures, no challenge , except any you may give yourself. It works. From Week 1, for me and feeling very unsure and a but unsteady to last Sunday where I felt strong and relaxed and comfortable... has been an enjoyable experience. My only tio, would be, if for any reason you have to miss runs , then just go with it. Wind and weather hampered me and some days too, I felt a little bowed down by issues or appointments for Mr OF etc, and I did not run, but upped some gentle exercise.

The exercises you have been doing, have set you up... gosh, I wish more forum friends would read this...they keep me going and YOU have a lovely flat tummy too !

It ain't over until it is over and for you, no.... trust the programme, have confidence in yourself... we have it for you! Any time you feel yourself wavering... come on in and we will be here.

Well done you ! x

[Sandraj39 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you, Oldfloss,🙂

[Folkylass Graduate10]

Hi Oldfloss.

So last week’s quest past me by although I did get out for two walks.

Anyway this weeks quest started yesterday for me. I went walking 4.23km.

Tomorrow and Christmas Eve I shall be running.

That’s my quest for this week.🎄🎄😂🥰🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️x

Congratulations on your re-graduation 👩‍🎓👏👏👏x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Folkylass]

Thank you ! Well done you..!

Hopefully you will be out for your run today and Christmas Eve... it is torrential rain here and strong winds!!!

Keep us posted... x

[Folkylass Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

🥰x

[Jamesrunsforlife Graduate10]

well done everyone 👏 and A Happy Christmas 🎄 ….I have ran 20k this week over 3 runs and Christmas Day a quick 5k before the family get up and the festivities begin 🎅🏻

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Jamesrunsforlife]

Oh yes... well done you and a merry Christmastide to you too!

[Jamesrunsforlife Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you Floss 🌟😊

[Folkylass Graduate10]

So this morning I ran a little xmassy run 3.11km.It was joyful! and also great to get the old trotters pounding again or should I say plodding. I also did a couple of walks too both warm up walks before my run and Thursday was a normal walk. Out again tomorrow for my Christmas eve run.🎄🎄.

Merry Christmas to everyone. I hope you all have a smashing time🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🥰x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Folkylass]

So, so sorry for this later reply... What a lovely run! Walks too and hopefully you got that run in today... me too! Just a Christmas Eve quickie... (or slowie) , as it was for me )

Have a super, super festive time !

[Folkylass Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

You to Oldfloss and no apologies needed…Have a super festive time🎄🎄☃️🎁❤️x