It's okay... NOT to be okay... because................... Everything you need is already inside you...

[Oldfloss]

Hello fellow runners... (Floss Ramble alert... ), and for those of you who read the account of my Virtual Spitfire Race, on Beyond... you will be please to know this is a much, much happier post!

My post title says it all...

It really is okay NOT to be okay and on Sunday...My, not being okay, spilled over!

But... , just like the hidden treasures, in my photograph, friends were there, and friends made sure I knew I was not alone... any time!

So....today.

No run since Sunday, because I was exhausted. Small person care day Monday,, hospital tests for Mr OF Tuesday... and busy Wednesday and yesterday... so choice time.

Grey skies, a slight chill in the air...but the body... spoke. I had put out my running gear the night before, just in case!

Usual routines and warm up and out... CB and I, ( I ignored him so much on Sunday, that I felt it only fair.)

A short recovery run, done ,any times before … Head Starts... just 15 minutes... Today, I listened....

Round the Close and out onto the hill... ( even Sunday's experience will not turn me against my friend), I intended to run just up to the first turn and then return.

My feet seemed to echo on the pavement... which was weird. I was out later and normally as I head up towards the Primary School, there is a hubbub of small persons and their grown ups... it was deserted... and no High School children in sight either... Maybe they have altered starting time, but it was odd.

Today from the onset, the run was going better... easing into it, slow and steady, and taking every single thing in.

Holly berries turning red, and in border and bed, summer bedding, still in full flower. Pine cones lie on lawns nestled next to the pink geraniums... Nature showing all her faces, in a mix of season and weather. As up the hill, the squirrels, quiet all summer have reappeared.. scampering and swinging. Foraging and hiding...showing their acrobatic skills and flaunting their fluffy tails as I go by.

The Conker tree, has shed a small treasure chest.. I pocket it and ran on.

I am taking it steadily, really, steadily. My breathing is easy and I am able to look around. Just over 1K and CB is continuing to give me the head start one liners, all of which I am answering, in my head.

Nearly at the turn around point and still the road is quiet... I cross over and retrace my steps, early golfers, jumper-ed and capped, tapping their way across the immaculate course. Fun, running time, but I do not race. I have lost a bit of ground, and I can be sensible.

CB is talking about so many things, all seeming so pertinent. He is telling me there are not many minutes of the run left... and he is giving the closing line for the run...

I listen hard, as I cross Seagull roundabout and I increase my pace slightly, with no effort.

CB has counted me down, I pause, as he thanks me for the run... my watch does not agree that 15 minutes have passed, so I press resume for a little further.

I finish the run, with his words resonating in my head.

“ Measure the success of your run in as many ways as you can.”

Well. When I got home, and drank my water, I opened my treasure chest. Inside, as if to reward me, was a symbol of the success.

This run I am measuring in my own way... it was not far, it was not fast, but I enjoyed it and... I finished it.

Success !

Not just one, but three reasons to smile x

Oldfloss x

PS

If there is any time when YOU are not okay...reach out... because there will alwyas be some there to support you.

Sunday's Post

healthunlocked.com/marathon...

[TailChaser Graduate10]

Sounds a much more ‘You’ post Floss xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to TailChaser]

Totally was... a good relaxed familiar feeling, run... and much needed, after Sunday! xxx

[linda9389 Graduate10]

I love this Floss xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to linda9389]

A much better run, Linda. I think, it is a bit like getting back on a bicycle after a fall, and Sunday's run, did feel a tad like a fall ! Thanks you x

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

A short and sweet run Oldfloss xx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

It really was, Dexy and, the day turned out to be a sunny one, too.

A few issues arose, but I felt so much more enabled to handle them, with calm and confidence.

This running, really is about so much more than one foot in front of the other, isn't it?

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

It sure is.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

That sounds much better Floss; no matter how bad we feel, there is always hope of a restorative recovery run just around the corner.🙂

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thanks you. i feel a whole lot more content x

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

A run that you needed to off set the longer tougher one you'd done before, lovely read Floss xx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

I really did need that. Thank you so much x

[drl212 Graduate10]

Well done! In the end it should always be for enjoyment.

A clickbait article told me that if you put an opened comment on your window it will keep the spiders away…

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to drl212]

Thanks you x Do you mean an open conker??

They do keep spiders away ...I have them on my upstairs window sills. Not downstairs, as I don't mind sharing my home with spiders...but I resent them in my bedrooms x

[drl212 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Do we know why?

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to drl212]

A clickbait article told me that if you put an opened comment on your window it will keep the spiders away…

I’m so confused! What does this mean? Maybe I just haven’t had enough coffee yet but I can’t work out what you’re talking about here

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

An open conker! 🤣🤣🤣

[drl212 Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Open Conker….

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to drl212]

🤣 I guessed so!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Lovely report Floss, and a true recovery run.

You found your feet kissing the ground, you found yourself steadlily making that climb with easy breathing.

You found time to wonder at nature's bounty, marvel at the squirels capers, and you found a trasure trove to bring back in your pocket.

You found you.

A successful outing, and definately one to smile about. It's not just about running, its so much more than that.

So pleased you had that lift this week.

💚xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

My friend.... thank you. You know me so very well. thankfully xxx

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

I wish I could have written it so eloquently Bluebirdrunner - you are a true friend to OF

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

She is indeed. My rock...x

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10]

Sometimes 15 minutes is just the perfect time. It's so good to hear you feeling upbeat and recognising your successes, you have many of them Oldfloss though some days you may not feel like this xx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

It was a good one...and just long enough...thank you x

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

Sometimes when you’re not okay, that’s exactly when you need a run most. It’s hard that often the times when we feel we need to run for headspace are the times when it’s hardest to fit it in. Those fifteen minutes are just perfect for when that happens. Really great run for you-you can almost sense the peace descending as the steps mounted up. Hoping for many more like that for you ❤️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Absolutely right...thank you so much x

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10]

love your ‘rambles’ Oldfloss …xx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Mummycav]

They help! Xxx Getting.it out there...sharing the joys and the odd, not easy run xxx

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Absolutely…and sometimes hearing how other people are doing makes you realise you’re not alone in feeling those things xx

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate10]

Had to go back and read your last post, must say I love your rambles I think we have all had runs like that ! Just the fact you just go out and get in with it shows what a strong person you really are 🥇

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Wavy-chick28]

Thank you... we do sometimes surprise ourselves... just when we think there is no more to give... we still are able! Strong and made stronger still by the amazing supprt from forum friends x

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate10]

It is a very supportive place x