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
Nearly!