Cool Running...

[Oldfloss]

Hello

Here I am... just bobbing in to say, still here, still running.

It might not be as regularly, as I may wish but I am getting the runs in; Week 3 Run 2, on return to Bridge to 10K done today.

It was not exactly, Hound of the Baskervilles, Dartmoor and the Great Grimpen Mire, but it felt close!

I had managed a run last Sunday and sneaked one in on Wednesday before the snow fell on Thursday... and another on Friday... after the snow had gone!

So today, in times past would have been my long run fun day... and... I decided I would like to do a slightly longer run, to help get me back on track, towards that 10K in April.

It was foggy yesterday and I said to Mr OF... “I really want to run in fog again “.. so I did.

I put my gear ready last night... and the weather, on waking, justified the airing cupboard location

Out by eight.. after minimal faffing and into the grey, silent world.

It was foggy. Very.

My footsteps echoed as I left the Close, and I was glad that I had the company of Coach Bennett and his familiar voice chatting quietly in my ear. I had chosen a 45 minute run... and one I have never done. A Cold Run.

Off we went. Heading out onto the Crescent and up the hill. There was no one in near sight, and further than that, I could not see.

The fog blanketing, the houses, trees and gardens.. and wrapping and closing around me as I ran. The roundabout appeared and I was on the stretch past Snowdrop wood, the tiny forerunners, barely visible but shining like tiny pin pricks of luminescent white, pin-pricking in the grass.

Easy running as CB continued to murmur in my ear. Easy was the name of the game throughout.... the whole ethos of the run was based on running in cold weather, and although the temperature may not have been as low as of late.. it had the potential to be so.

I was layered and comfortably warm... as I run up the hill... further today than in a long while... the hidden lakes on the aerodrome estate were well and truly hidden today. And the absence of man, ( woman), or beast made it even odder. I was loving it,

No birdsong this morning and the golf course hidden, beyond a misty blanket, silent and devoid of the Sunday swingers. Slowing down to photo shooting, some evocative and strange images, including suddenly what appeared to be a grinning monster.

The trees looming out of the grey like shadowy giants...the time was passing more quickly than I felt it might... it was almost time to turn for home, as I ran along the Old Road above the aerodrome estate, the trees overhead, felt, rather than seen, kept their secrets close as I began to downward journey home.

I had cut the run short... I had been hoping to make the top of the hill, but the fog was thicker and the cold more apparent on my face. Quit whilst ahead and still feeling strong. CB had already said, if the run needed to be cut short.. it was fine!

Light footed, breathing easy, and totally in tune with the advice and suggestions coming from my running companion. I eased back, although a temptation to increase the pace was there. Down though the quiet estate... the sudden barking of a dog, making me jump and the eerie sight of empty swings moving gently in the breeze, on the deserted play area. Strangely disturbing. I was glad to clear them...

Along by the green and surprised again, as a dog and owner suddenly loomed out of the fog. A quick good morning and on... down I went and soon, back at the roundabout and the thought of a warm shower and breakfast filling my head.

The run was done... I was almost home. Enjoyable? Yes... a head full of thoughts and an overwhelming satisfaction that I am still able to run comfortably, even in conditions, less than perfect.

As CB said so wisely... run... and run with curiosity, joy and passion. I did.

45 minutes...slow and steady, and 5K done. That will do me nicely, thank you x

Oldfloss

P.S.

If you have not run with the NRC's, A Cold Run... then please do.

The advice on there for running in extreme or than normal conditions... is exceptional and I felt that anyone participating in most forms of outdoor exercise would do well to listen to it.

Floss x

PPS.

Longest run since before Mr OF had his heart attack ! Maybe I will be okay on the 10K in April after all

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Congratulations on your longest run for all that time, I ran along by your side virtually and enjoyed reading about your run

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you...I am glad you were there x

[Annieapple Administrator]

🍏So well done my friend! This is awesome news!!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Annieapple]

Getting there, slowly..thanks x

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

Sounds like a really super run. Getting to 5k always feels like a milestone, but it must be extra good with all the ups and downs you’ve had to get here. So pleased for you ❤️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

It does feel satisfying... and reassures me that i can move on safely too, thank you x

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

I do like the Coach B cold run. When I first ran it I thought this advice is so good that you should listen to it before you go out on your first cold run. I was pleased to know that some of the things I had always done was endorsed by him, such as starting your run into the wind.

This sounded like a great run for you OF, apart from the scary bits of things appearing out of the fog without warning. 😳

Your runs are getting longer and there’s no doubt you will reach your target before your upcoming race.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Thank you. yes... the starting into the wind, was surprisingly useful! I was aware of the wind behind me on the, in, run. I did contain myself though and made sure I kept steady. It was a super run and so different than my normal look around, and see everything runs!

I am hoping to just carry on making steady progress and of course , enjoy it x

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

A spooky one, but fun was had by the sound of it Floss.

I must try some of these CB runs again. That cold one would be good for my Tuesday night run. I imagine it felt like you were in your own little running cocoon world, similar to my recent head torch runs, where only that moment of time seems to exist, worries and thoughts aside. Quite freeing!

Being on a main road with streetlights for saftey of course, I think you were braver than I tackling that mist. The swinging swings!

5k bagged and a great chunk of running acheived. You are on the up! I need to follow!

🏃‍♀️👌xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Hello...it was! Not like me really, but the fact there seemed to be just me... and the swings... they were spooky, anything like that is odd. Like an empty school when you are there late, or after a parents' evening... ooh , so weird and quiet. It is like a cocoon and I was glad of the voice in my ear!

5K... and a good feeling. The Cold run was so good, and it really did not feel like 5K. The time passed quickly?

You, my friend are right behind me x

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Thanks for taking us with you Oldfloss and well done on that run!👍

So many folk on here seem to use NRC runs and I have yet to try them…maybe I should.🙂

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

It was a while before I tried them and I was a fan... I don't use one, all the time, but some runs are particularly useful. This was excellent.

[Gthants 60minGraduate]

Haven't yet run in fog, but there's a low lying river on a flood plain a short drive away that gets great mist; hasn't coincided with a running or injury-free day yet, but it will come!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Gthants]

It surely will ... run ..it is magical!

[grumpyoldgirl]

Ooh, a nicely spooky atmosphere there Floss. Yes, empty playgrounds can be disconcerting, I also have memories of being the last to leave school, and walking across that empty playground to my car. Nothing in the least threatening about it, just... odd... They are places that are meant to filled with children and noise.

ANYway!!! It's lovely to see you getting back in the groove 😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

Hello! I am glad it is not just me... yes, not threatening, but odd! That sums it up!

It was spooky and considering the time of day even more so...I would do it again though... thank you so much, it is good to be running fairly regularly again and with some of the old strength too x

[David_G]

well done Oldfloss that sounds like a great outing! I love CB and the variety of runs you can do - his advice is very sensible too.

I’ll be walk/running for the foreseeable future as that works for me and doesn’t put too much strain on my heart ❤️‍🩹

I’ll be doing the London Winter Run at the end of the month. Some of my running club friends are coming with me so hopefully we can run at least part of the course together 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️