As Einstein once said..: "Logic will get you... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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As Einstein once said..

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate
29 Replies

"Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination takes you everywhere"

...and that is just what is happening with me... combining the total freedom of running, with my weird rambling imagination is giving me so much.

Out again this morning, third run after Graduation...( love that word), I left home just before 8.

The sky, the palest blue, with wisps of cloud, like angel hair drifting slowly in the morning.

No one around at all... windows curtained and tight...Sunday morning lie-ins and no work until tomorrow.

I am continuing with the familiar pattern of five minute warm up walk, and then starting to run. I have not got the confidence yet, to move too far away from what I know!

Down the hill and past the newspaper boy, hooded and buttoned up, in spite of the mildness of the day.

I am getting into an easier style of running now, as I said in my last post...Oddly,I feel taller when I run...

not sure if I am running differently but it feels like it. I am not thinking about distance, speed or time...just, like the two runs earlier this week, running for the sheer pleasure of it.

Running up the hill towards the bridle path, seagulls, high, high above whirled and tumbled, wings silver -tipped in the winter sun.

My pace is actually quickening, despite my best efforts... hard to believe I know, and I run, looking around, listening, words in my head tumbling, like the seagulls above. As I head along the Old Road... a blackbird is playing hide and go seek with me in the hedgerow, flying across in front of me and always slightly ahead... he stops at the end of the driveway to the garden centre, and looks at me, as much to say "...well you're moving quicker than a few weeks ago" ! I seem too, to be landing more lightly... can this be my imagination or am I making progress.? The road is dry and my feet echo on the tarmac.. a steady pace in my head, repeating poems and phrases from my favourite books.

I have passed no-one, and on checking, I have been running for about forty minutes... and not even out of breath. Just deep steady breathing,as I run, surrounded by the crisp clean air and the wakening world

The small birds, in full voice now, picking at the moss on the trees and the berries still left in the hedgerow. A robin trills his unmistakeable song, like water trickling and bubbling over pebbles. Beautiful.

Turning back down the hill now, I have completed a big circle.. running past the cottages and houses on the road down to the village.. I can smell toast... Yes, Laura.. I have something left...I increase my pace for the last few minutes down to the station.

My usual five minute warm-down walk and back home... running and mind ramble complete.

(Thank goodness I hear you say!)

So much to learn yet.... but I think I am getting there... and I am loving it! :)

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Oldfloss
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29 Replies
Pinguette profile image
PinguetteGraduate

Your lovely descriptive posts always make me want to reach for my trainers, Old Floss. Please keep them coming!! :-) xx

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to Pinguette

Get those trainers out....at least one run for us before Christmas ? :)

aliboo70 profile image
aliboo70

Lovely post! It sounds lovely! I was stuck Indoors at work today😕yes keep those ramblings coming, we love them! 😊

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to aliboo70

It was lovely, thanks!

Horrid to be stuck inside, when you want to be out there. I am trying to make the post of the milder days...just in case we have snow and ice in the New Year! :)

jojo57 profile image
jojo57Graduate

How I long to be able to run with the ease you have so beautifully described. My legs were like lead this morning, each foot weighed a ton and my breath was ragged. (But I still completed 28 mins so it wasn't all bad!)

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to jojo57

Not always like that though.... through the nine weeks there have been some really tough days when I have really felt my age!!

But when you have a good day... wow!

You are doing brilliantly... go for it.... weather is still pretty fair and lots to see out there :)

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

Good! Glad to hear it.

I had a short run this evening along empty streets. Didn't have to move out of the way once!

Keep up the good work Floss!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to misswobble

Lovely to have the world to yourself....especially if you don't get jostled!

I might try an evening run... I like the sound of it...but would just stick to the main routes I think...the lanes might be a bit dicey!

Hoping for another run before Christmas and one on Boxing Day maybe. :)

Ullyrunner profile image
UllyrunnerGraduate

Lovely run Floss. Sounds like you are running further too. Have you done 5k yet do you think?

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to Ullyrunner

It was a lovely run...I don't think they will all be like that...

Yes... I have been, latterly, consistently doing 5K...( all my runs in Week 9) and slightly over yesterday. I don't think about distance except when I plan my route and when I have finished it, I check!

Foolishly...I thought that we had to complete 5K in 30 minutes to graduate... duh...so have probably been running further( and faster) than I thought!! Just shows I don't take things in!!!!

To make you smile... I did, in the first weeks run out on a route....forgetting that I had to turn around half way to get back to the start within the time frame! So, I ended up having long walks back home... Oops! :)

Not making that mistake now...!

Ullyrunner profile image
UllyrunnerGraduate in reply to Oldfloss

Ah, you always describe yourself as going slowly, but if you managed 5K in week 9 you must be going at a cracking pace!

I've never yet managed 5k in 30 mins, so well done!

Have to stop calling yourself the grey snail!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to Ullyrunner

Well...it seems to me, I do go slowly... I see these folk who seem to be belting along! Occasionally, I have been passed by a runner, and they really look down their noses at me, :( They all look very fast! My son in law says I am not as slow as I think... but it feels that way....maybe it is because I try to go steadily...?

I started as the Grey Snail... and I think it suits me..maybe bad luck to change it...so,I'll probably stick with it :)

Old_trout profile image
Old_troutGraduate

Fabulous! Once you stop hearing the deafening voice of your own body protesting at every stride, you become a runner I think! It's just beginning to happen to me. I have a set route that I am aiming to complete and then gradually shave minutes off the time to get round

I'm looking forward to appreciating more fully what's going on around me like you do!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to Old_trout

Thanks... it is exactly what you say.. suddenly you are really just doing it...

Lovely to plan a new route and then perfect it, as you say. I am maybe going to try an early evening run after reading misswobble's post to me...!

Yes.. the luxury of retirement and having the time to take it all in is priceless!!! :)

boptillyoudrop49 profile image
boptillyoudrop49Graduate

Pure joy of running. Hope I get there one day too

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to boptillyoudrop49

You surely will... and when you do... it is absolutely wonderful! :)

Curlygurly2 profile image
Curlygurly2Graduate

Beautiful run report OF, thank you!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to Curlygurly2

Thanks.... love running. love writing.. great combination! :)

hilbean profile image
hilbeanGraduate

Sounds like a wonderful run :)

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to hilbean

It was fun...and dry :)

Sparkyifhungry profile image
SparkyifhungryGraduate

Oh bless you for you have found running nirvana, which so many seek but few find (especially when Christmas bugs are rife!) nice one❤️

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

True enlightenment...? Pesky Christmas bugs..... need to outrun them! :)

no-excuse profile image
no-excuseGraduate

A beautiful post OF, you made me feel like I was running with you. Listening to the birds, watching the wildlife, I think you've described a perfect run! x :-)

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

That is what is so brilliant about it... all that world out there.. and being lucky enough to run in it, enjoy it...and take unseen friends with me :)

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate

This is lovely oldfloss...& just how I imagined running should feel? I hope that my runs feel like this, I really do....I aspire to be the same kind of runner as you...a peaceful runner, with light feet & a smile in your heart ❤️ Xx

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to Mummycav

Thanks you...:)

I have runs and posts which have been sadder and more thoughtful... but.. my runs are my way to release anxiety, sadness and distress.. and writing is also cathartic for me too:)

You are definitely going to find your own personal joy in your running as you go on :)

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate in reply to Oldfloss

I’m going to read some of your old posts...will prob get to know you better through them too ❤️

Polly2810 profile image
Polly2810Graduate

Lovely to look back at at your old posts!! Gives me hope that I will one day feel I can actually do this!! Not been a good week have felt rubbish so putting it behind me and just gonna move on!!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to Polly2810

That is the way... we all have our moments... you will get there and you will find what you need in your running. :)

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And then Laura said...

it struck a chord. At the five minute mark, I was huffing and puffing like never in the past 6 weeks

I said I would - so I did! W7r2

start of the run, so did an extra road in my warm-up walk so I'd have a couple of minutes running...

Done it once, and now struggling!

good idea. I don't like hills of any sort. Anyway after the hill I slowed down to a walk, and then

Laura said I'm a runner!

tonight on my first 25 minute run. I have no idea what happened but it was the first run I had...

On holiday and not managed to run once

The only route is a long a road and the Italians constantly drive like they are in a rush so safety