“Your form as you move forward, should help not hinder..." This is about running...

[Oldfloss]

So says Coach Bennett.

Well... hello .... a Floss ramble with a different run today... and an unexpectedly useful one.

I had planned a run today, if I had managed a reasonable night's sleep.

Gear was laid out the night before... and a sort of route planned, but not the run. I wanted to take CB for company, that was a definite.

I did sleep better than I thought... Mr OF and I were fairly exhausted after a long and very emotional day.

So... after a morning Yoga wake up … and making sure that the rain overnight had gone.. I chose my run. Tempted by a Struggle Run... I need this run and Tough day Easy run... I thought … NO!

I needed a lift... something to get me going, something to get me into a positive mind set and something to please me... so... would I be tempted by a speed run...? MissUnderstanding 's last one was great.... no! I thought there is only one... FUNKY FARTLECK... odd choice eh?

Off I went...the day was fine, the weather was not chilly and the promise of sunshine hinted at, by a sliver of blue sky. The Close was quiet, as was the hill and the village. No one... just me as I headed out. Not knowing what pace, or for what duration, is odd...but, strangely fun... The five minute warm up before the runs was welcome...time to just breathe.

The runs began. It was not easy at first, but I was soon getting into the mood and, with limited input from CB other than Countdowns in and out.... there was time to think.

Not overthink, but just try to get the issues arising from Mr OF's appointment yesterday, into some semblance of order... It was useful. CB gave helpful hints and used motivational words, strong, happy , all out pace...body check, etc. etc... all sinking in to my head, and getting stored, for the tricky days which are to come.

Down the hill across the road and up past Rookery wood... silent too as the pace changes and I running up the hill with real determination...just in time, countdown to easy pace...level 4... just super, as I turn towards the field and my tree.

Quick photo stops and on I go...my head is feeling clearer... I look towards the horizon and a sliver of sunlight...the track is dry, despite the rain, not overly hard underfoot...the leaves turning, gold and copper now, on my majestic friend.

The tree is a friend, he knows my deepest kept secrets, he has seen me and Mr OF, he has seen my girls.... he has shared my laughter, my tears and all moods in between... His huge arms are always open... clad in green, gold, or frost-sparkling with a silver coat, a constant in my life. I whisper a wish as I pass by x

Not long to go, and reaching the crossing, into the next field I turn; the harder paced sections feel fine and the slower, easy pace is really easy, almost like a fast walk...I soak my surroundings up... I feel the air on my face, I breathe the scents of the season and before I know it, I am on the downward stretch back down the lane. I am fitter than I thought and the last weeks, have not had too detrimental, an impact on me!

The run ends. I am alone with my thoughts...calmer now, steady breathing, as I walk very slowly homeward.

We are moving into an unknown future, and we do know, there will be hard times ahead, but, the way I approach that future will be key. There will not always be sunshine and roses... just like our runs, but, my form as I move forward will matter.

I shall work on that thought.

Run done....lots of fun and, despite the name, one of the most pertinent runs I have done for a while. Sometimes , surprises are good ones... this was a good surprise.

Thank you for letting me share .

Oldfloss x

[Annieapple Administrator]

🍏We love the sharing as we listen and learn! Your way with words and dealing with the calamities life throws at you fill me with admiration. You also know that it’s ok not to be okay somedays.. 🤗 ❤️‍🩹

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Annieapple]

Oh yes, I do... it is what I say to Mr OF right now xxx

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

I thought you would run Floss, you needed it. Some headspace, and time to adjust to the uncertainties ahead. It seems the running came easy to you, you have that unconsious strength in your legs, and the stamina you needed was there.

It was a great run, and the person who ran it is capable and strong. Like your tree, you will handle all that is thrown at you, you may falter, but you will not fall.

Support is here for you, as you take those steps forwards, and you must, holding tightly to those you hold most dear.

A run can certainly be more than just a run as you say.

💚xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Hello and good morning...

Yes... I thought I would... Sunday has always been a favourite time to run... Sunday, Runday, Funday!! I wasn't sure...I felt, after my really, not sensible 10K the other week, that if I was tired, I should NOT run. But I slept better than I thought and the dry day was too good to miss.

Choosing a shorter run was a good idea, there was no pressure to cover any distance and the time, with the walk warm up and the walk home, made for a good start to the day.

Keeping up with even, the most basic routine strength and stamina exercise, pays huge dividends and really does impact our running.

Our issues are not as devastating as for many, but they are our issues to come to terms with and to overcome, and I thank you , my dear, dear friend for always being with me and there for me , and Mr Of too...

I shall try hard and like my tree, I may shake in the winds, but I will stretch towards the sunlight and soak it up, on the calmer days.

Thank you x

[CBDB Graduate10]

A beautiful contemplation on when running is not only about running. Love that run and that way of running and writing and enjoyed reading this so much. Thanks!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

Thank you!

My rambles are a tad infamous... and I have a log of at least 90% of the runs I have done, since I began way back in 2015. My book is still awaiting publishing!

The joy of run and write, has always been a huge part of the pleasure. It gives me the chance to share those two joys... running and the words. I am able to share the celebrations, and the setbacks with forum friends, It continues, even in situations like the current one, Mr OF and I find ourselves in, to stay strong and to move... forward .

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10]

That's definitely the run you wanted and the run you needed Oldfloss . Wonderful description, I felt I was with you. I especially love your tree, some trees really sing to you, don't they? If you go for a long, uphill and walk from where my sister lives in Greece there's a grove of ancient olive trees, all well over 1000 years old. The middles are mostly hollow, two people will fit inside the massive trunks while the branches still bear fruit. You can see why the ancients believed in tree spirits.

There's something very profound about touching a tree that's been there so much longer than we have ❤️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

I do love trees, they can teach us so much! They do sing ! yes !

That tree sound absolutely wonderful ! 1,000 years... what sights it has seen and what tales it would tell !

Thanks you x

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Here's a beautiful olive tree, several thousand years old. Its friends are nearby ♥

Ancient olive tree

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

That is glorious x Thank You x

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

I’m so sorry to hear that things are getting tougher for you and Mr OF. I can imagine that getting out for those runs are the perfect release for you.

I just love that Funky Fartleks guided run. You just don’t know what Coach Bennett is going to do next and he really keeps you on your toes. It has me laughing loudly as I follow his instructions.

I hope you continue to have that private running “me time” to recharge your batteries as time moves on. 😘

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Hello and thank you ! I laughed out loud too! There is really no clue to the run to come.

The runs help so much, but I try to sue them correctly for rechanging not repressing...I will get there...but it really will be slow and steady ... x

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

Funky farlek is the perfect run for some headspace! You can’t think about anything else while doing it! When things are tricky, there’s absolutely nothing like a speed run to help. This sounds like a wonderful run for you and just what was needed. I’m sure those runs will bring you some comfort through the ups and downs, and so will your army of virtual run buddies here too ❤️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

It was a really useful fun run... and I really did not expect that! It was good and helped loads, thank you x