MARCH QUEST...Catch-Up...Wrap-Up... WELL DONE EVERYONE !

[Oldfloss]

Hi there Questers... Here I am... I finally realised that it is NOT April yet... but that we are still in March!

Just to say a HUGE well done to all of you for the March Quest.

The reason I am posting this now, is that the amazing Annieapple has opened a new Quest for Easter ... to give me some time to catch my breath, sort out a load of things and and get ready for a very welcome break before Easter Week and a 10K race on April 7th!

You have all done incredibly well. Some of us have been hampered, either by injury, illness or life generally... and the weather for some has been fairly uncertain !

I went out in brilliant sunshine this morning... and it was glorious... until the last kilometer … I had the lot thrown at me... sleet, snow and hail... with a wind so strong it nearly took me off my feet ! I was absolutely drenched through ! A very, very soggy snail ran home as quickly as she could!

Sitting here now.... the sky is blue and the sunshine is brilliant... I can hardly believe it happened!

MY Quest was a tad hit and miss... and although I would have liked to be making a little more distance...just 6K today; I feel strong and I am hopeful that in a fortnight I shall be able to enjoy the day! I have kept up with my exercise routines and a weekly T'ai Chi Class. has soothed mind and body, too!

You have all done so, so well and I know that for some of you, it has not always been easy to get out there!

So, if you do have time... do pop in and let me know how your quest has gone or is going and do please, sign up for the new Quest that AA has put together !

Well done, again... each and everyone .

Oldfloss x

[Annieapple]

🍏So happy you can have a breakaway Oldfloss. That delightful snail reflection is a brilliant photo! We will miss your art & photography for a short while. 6k is a good distance and makes your goal seem very real. We trust that race is going to go very well and wish you all the best! Xxxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Annieapple]

I shall be here..in and out...of course...but can relax without my regular jobs ...thank you xxx

[GoogleMe Graduate10]

I am definitely going to need all of March to complete my March Quest...

I still have that will/trust appointment to make, and I still need to do my 5K run, having lost the week to Covid (I am glad to have a full week left, and it will be a 5K walk if that feels more appropriate... we've done some fine tiny little blowy walks over the last three days to shift the cobwebs and see the impact (so maybe I should consider the walking is going OK considering)

Every cloud has a silver lining though and the loss of appetite (and perhaps too the weird bitter taste from the anti-virals) has helped me achieve my weight loss goal. I'd like to think that as my appetite returns my portion size won't! The irony is not lost on me that it has taken me until Easter to lose the post Christmas weight.... (Christmas cake, mince pies and Simnel cake blurring into one...) and I'll have to take care that I don't undo it all in the final week of the month!

Restorative yoga seems like just the thing for illness (and it is), but I was a bit defeated by technical issues or I would have done more of the classes in the programme this week. What I did do was great. Two left to do.

It has been a most peculiar month what with one thing and another, so I am pleased with what I have achieved and very grateful to have my Quest host and fellow Questers with me.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to GoogleMe]

Hello! Good to see you and with a full week left!

The walking after Covid does seem to work. I began with walks... the Covid week was fine... it was the energy wipe out after that , which hit MR OF and I. My first walk nearly floored me! You will know as you are feeling already, exactly what is feeling good,

Hoping that the weight loss remains stable now... smaller portions and cut up smaller! Sugar also... if you can get that out, it really does help... and loas of cakes don't need any added sugar, like Christmas Cake and mince pies... so much fruit in them already. The taste buds just need to get used to it. You can use apple, figs, honey etc instead of the white stuff...

The yoga does now seem to be working..? Are you enjoying it?

You have done well and I am glad you are feeling better now... on you go... I will still be here to watch you move on and tick of all your goals !

[GoogleMe Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

The sugar issue for me isn't so much the sugar as the catering issues [not knowing who I might be entertaining inc gluten free sibling] and the symbolism [eg can't have Easter without Simnel/chocolate egg] which leads to the stuff being there (whether added sugar or not)... and my reluctance to sling it out whether it is to the bird table or the bin or wherever (sadly can't be donated) But portion control and not getting my head round things still being 'a waste around my waist' - that's the nut to crack! (When not relying on post-Covid that is)

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Hi Floss,

You have been so unlucky with downpours and strong winds sneaking up on your recent runs. You have not given in though and keep lacing up with optimism and positivity, well done you!

My two runs this week were mixed, I ran/ walked a fairly comfortable 6k, and took on a hillier route managing just 4.2k before running out of steam. I think I will take CB with me next run for company to see if he can keep me going!

Yoga 6 out of 7 days, some walks.

Forgetting to hydrate until hours later on my last run having only had a few sips of water beforehand was silly, the headache and woozy feeling not nice at all.

Next week will bring two more runs I hope, I will write on Annieapple 's quest post how I get on.

Onwards and upwards everybody!

🌷 xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Hello ! Good to see you here.

It has been a rough time weather wise... I cannot quite believe it. The rest of yesterday was just beautiful... strong winds but very, very sunny!

You running seems to be progressing well? Your 6K was very well done and comfortable. That blip , you know why it happened and weather conditions, time of day and your feeling of under-hydration, all may have conspired against you.

But, Your yoga... always a great support to you... and regularly and enjoyably done!

Looking forward to next week's post too ! On we go...

Well done YOU! x

[Sax64 Graduate10]

Sorry I'm late, but I'm here now, actually in our campervan for the first outing of the year in the Peak District. So last week I did actually get my runs in, including an 8k which I'm really happy about and a couple of cycles it's the rest that went pear shaped, in terms of logged exercise on my tracker. Although there's not been much official S&F, the last lot of park volunteering was fairly strenuous repairing a footbridge. And I've done lots of heavy lifting of the little one (almost 1 now) who is not so little any more! So all in all I'm taking that as a win, particularly as I've been trying to be less obsessive with my planned routines. Thanks for hosting the quest, I don't know how you fit in the demands of HU around your busy life. A huge hurrah and thanks for all your dedication.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Sax64]

Hello and thank you... !

Enjoy the Peak district, we were there Friday at Middleton Top! You sound to have had a successful quest and as you say, plenty of workouts going on, especially ones with a small cuddle muffin, getting bigger and heavier all the time! Watch that back!

You are so right to ease back and do what you are able.. so much to celebrate and so much achieved... very, very well done to you.

On you go and thank you so much, again x

[chrisl72 Graduate10]

Hi Oldfloss, bit late again me! I'm plugging away at my short easy runs and all going ok at the moment I did a 5k on Saturday and a 3k on Monday without any problems. Keeping the cadence up and the stride length down does seem to be making the difference. Hoping to push the distance a little bit either tomorrow or at the weekend.

Thank you for hosting again

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to chrisl72]

You are most welcome and well done to you... fingers crossed that all your efforts are impacting and benefitting. I am so pleased for you!

On you go!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

Thanks so much for a great March quest! Things have been a challenge for you but you’ve still got so much to celebrate. Look at all the positive things you did do and everything else will wait. I hope your Easter quest involves some rest! ❤️

Mine has been one of the best ones in ages and I’m quite sad to say goodbye to it! This week I ran three times along two different rivers. I’ve run for an hour. I’ve got to 9k. My VO2 max moved for the first time ever! So many things I’m super pleased about. This week I’ve been derailed a bit with some migraines, but I’m going to (all being well) finally get back to 10k. I’m a bit nervous but mostly excited. I’ve even ordered my treat for the 10k milestone already because of a well-timed Sweaty Betty sale!! Bring it on…

Happy Easter questing everyone! 🐣

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Thank you and you are most welcome!

Yes, some very busy times and yes, my next Quest will certainly be involving chill and rest time and acting the tourist time, too

You have had a SUPER quest and done so, so well and I know that 10K is yours... just gently go for it and celebrate it as it comes Just perfect!

A treat is most certainly needed and what better than a Sweaty Betty treat! We shall await the photographs eagerly...

Well done to you!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you so much! The support on here has been amazing and absolutely kept me on track. Can’t wait to report back on the big run! ❤️❤️❤️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

I can't wait! x

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10]

That's a very pretty snail Oldfloss (as, I'm sure, are you )

Not much to report here. I'm more or less back to 3 runs a week and doing the NRC 10k plan. Making the most of it while I can, next month we'll be back on the boat for a while which, while I love it it isn't often compatible with regular running.

As for the squats etc...sorry, more or less diddly squat 😂

Gotta have some goals left

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

You are doing well... and it is a very long time, since I was called pretty... ( I wish )! Thank you!

Getting those runs in , well done you! You are enjoying the plan aren't you.. ? Being back on the boat will be super, and I shall be watching for your photographs!

You will have plenty of exercise on the boat... and there may be room for an odd, toothbrush squat???

There 's a goal for you x

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks, I had to google 'toothbrush squat'. Given the lack of space on the boat I almost wondered if you were making a suggestion as to where I could keep my toothbrush but thankfully I now know what you're talking about 😂 (sorry, I have a mind like a sewer).

The Plan is great, really pushes you to try something a bit challenging but not so much that you get scared off. I'd hoped to reach 10k by my birthday but it's less than a week away now so I'll be happy with 9k. That'll be a pretty solid achievement in itself.

Maybe my Quest for next month should include walking rather than running. When we anchor/moor we generally go and explore on foot and I log my walks, in part so I have a record of where I've been, so that I can reassure myself that I actually am getting enough exercise.