I have my own little world...but it's okay... - Couch to 5K

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I have my own little world...but it's okay...

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate
β€’43 Replies

... You know me here

Tuesday Morning, bright and early. I needed to get out before the rain started. It has been, as it has for many of us, quite damp.. in fact, very damp! But, we embrace the rain as we do the wind, the hills, and the midges.

So... a brisk warm up walk and yet another plan, unfolding, in this weird old head of mine! If I am wakeful in the small hours, I like to lie there, plotting, different ideas, new routes, and travelling, in my mind; the favourite, familiar old routes, planning new adventures, thinking about JoolieB1 's lost in the woods adventure... all super things to try on my runs.

I have, as some of you know, been altering my run lengths, pace, and speed. trying fast/slow and some short walk/run runs...just seeing what happens really. So, the plan was, yesterday to have a run, for about 2K or so, then do a 3 K stretch with ABBA. :) I discovered a few runs back, that some of the ABBA tracks were great to run to..one such track, unexpectedly is Chiquitita... a song which I am not overly fond of, but oddly, is great for interval type runs...some really slow bits and then faster bits, huge fun! ( I know, I know loopy!).

I started to run down to the village, I needed the fields, for my plan, as some of the things I do whilst running, look a tad unusual :). So, round the Crescent and down-hill... surprisingly this was a very fast, (for me) 1st K, just under 6 minutes...usually it takes me, and the legs, time to get going, the first five minutes or so, but looking good so far. I carried on down to the Station. The crossing barrier was down, so, I entertained the occupants in the waiting cars, by running around the triangle quite a few times, then crossed to the other side, just before the barriers lifted. ( One can wait there for a very, very long time).

Up the lane and past Rookery Wood, the undergrowth is really dense now, The rain has encouraged everything to put on a huge growth spurt. A thick green carpet, interspersed with all the late Spring plants, and still yet, as I ran past, the sharp pungent scent of wild garlic...quite late for it now... but, a mental note to come down, before it goes, and pick some for an excellent recipe I have! Wild Garlic and quinoa cakes.. mmm.

Up the hill, smooth easy, running, a quick pace too, up and down past the heavy gate opposite the Steam railway, round the corner and into the big field. The path, which I intended to experiment on has almost disappeared, between the green spiky shoots, narrowed down to a foot's width, slightly soft and damp. I stopped and again, simply count my blessings. The rich scent of thick wet greenery, the distant views of hawthorn trees and hedges, bereft now of their white clumps of creamy flowers, but the lime green leaves, there, shining bravely, against the sky. My Nan used to tell me, I should never sit and fall asleep under a Hawthorn tree for fear of fairies stealing me.. I think of this, and smile.

But... the plan. ABBA and I... off we go. The first part of the song has a steady 1,2,3,4 beat and if anyone is watching, it must look most peculiar, as I pace myself with the song! Long strides, as I move forward, trying to keep them even and balanced; along the track and turn at the crossing, back the other way again. As the next, faster bit comes on, I shorten my stride and move to a much quicker 1.2.3.4 pace. It is easy to run to this.... The stretch, in a straight line, from the gate to the Steam railway crossing is just over half a kilometre. So I repeat this pattern four times, for luck. I was very sick of the song ( on a loop).. and was at this point, besides concentrating on my different stride lengths,,, making up words to it in my head!

Eventually on a last run to the crossing, I turned, took a photograph and then ran up to the top of the Buttercup field. I just felt, so vital and full of life... that I turned again and ran down the field, keeping to the narrow track way, the thick grasses and buttercups clinging to my soaking wet running leggings, the cloying sweetness of the grasses and the damp greenery, soggy shoes... wonderful!

No great distance... not a bad time..but just great fun! I ran to the lane and then walked all the way back home. Soggy feet squelching and the sky darkening above me.

I will, probably, never be any kind of a real runner... I spend far too much time looking around and making up rhymes and poems and songs... but I run as far as I choose, for as long as I choose, when and how I choose... and right now, for me, that is quite enough. :)

For anyone who might be interested.. unlikely I know; these are the words I made up.. a sort of, Ode to my Legs, which despite, rock climbing crushes, falls from bicycles and 66 years of carrying me around, still answer the call!

To the tune of Chiquitita.

Oh my legs there's nothing wrong,

You're well into your own pattern

By my pace, I can see hope for tomorrow

How I love to run when it's like this

There's no way I can deny it

I can tell I'm feeling oh so good, I'll fly it!

Oh legs, you and I know

How the knee pains come and they go and the aches they're leaving

You'll be moving once again, and the pain will end

You'll have no time for seizing.

Oh legs, you and I cry

But the sun is still in the sky and shining above us

Let me see you run once more, like you did before

Try a new pace, my old legs

Try just once more, like you've done before

Try a new pace, my dear legs.

There is really no hope for me...is there? :)

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Oldfloss
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43 Replies
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OldPossum profile image
OldPossum

Gives Abba a whole new meaning for me !

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduateβ€’ in reply toOldPossum

As well it might.... ( shakes head... ) :)

90ldfinch profile image
90ldfinchGraduate

You really know how to turn on the stile Oldfloss πŸ˜†

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduateβ€’ in reply to90ldfinch

Clever!!!! I love that stile...πŸ˜‰

Suebguineapig profile image
SuebguineapigGraduate

Just a lovely post with such strong images! I have a Super trouper on my running playlist at the (currently) tricky 25 min point!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduateβ€’ in reply toSuebguineapig

Love running to that...I go a bit wild..😊

poppypug profile image
poppypugGraduateβ€’ in reply toOldfloss

Soo pa pa , troo pa pa !

Love it :-D

Just off up the wooden stairs to Bedfordshire ( well I would be if I didn't live in a ground floor flat ) :-D

Catch up with you on the morrow Floss xxx

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduateβ€’ in reply topoppypug

Hope you slept well, sweetie x

Suebguineapig profile image
SuebguineapigGraduateβ€’ in reply toOldfloss

I currently dig in, but hope to go wild soon!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduateβ€’ in reply toSuebguineapig

Yes.... I can certainly, really recommend it :)

Katie204 profile image
Katie204Graduateβ€’ in reply toSuebguineapig

I have "Lay all your love on me"! "Summer night city" might also be a good one for fast intervals.

I love my cheesy disco, me.

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate

Lovely post made me smile. I have to pull you up though. I have no idea how you could utter the phrase " I will probably, never be any kind of a real runner". you are such a real runner and the passion coming through your post proves it.

heavyhorse profile image
heavyhorseGraduateβ€’ in reply toRealfoodieclub

was just about to write something very similar!!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduateβ€’ in reply toheavyhorse

Thank you... I sometimes think that I should focus more, but everything is linked for me, so that is just the way of it! :)

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduateβ€’ in reply toRealfoodieclub

Thank you, your support means a great deal to me :)

OldWheezer profile image
OldWheezer

Haha Bjorn again. Lovely.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduateβ€’ in reply toOldWheezer

Clever.... indeed... :) Thanks youx

Indizulu profile image
IndizuluGraduate

Love it Floss - going to dig up my Abba greatest hits CD and get them on my playlist! πŸ˜€πŸ˜€πŸ˜€

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduateβ€’ in reply toIndizulu

I think you will find it fun, just pick a time when it is a fun day, run day, and go for it!

Ullyrunner profile image
UllyrunnerGraduate

Mad - but lovely with it!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduateβ€’ in reply toUllyrunner

Tee hee... you know me so well.. completely loopy! :)

JaySeeSkinny profile image
JaySeeSkinnyGraduate

I'm still running without music, although the one run I did recently with music was astonishingly fast. Dancing and singing along to Viva la Vida, which always makes me skip and rejoice certainly helped. So I'll save that up as my secret weapon!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduateβ€’ in reply toJaySeeSkinny

Brilliant. it really does work..the actual 3 K bit was a good speed :)

JaySeeSkinny profile image
JaySeeSkinnyGraduate

Oh and you are definitely a runner, my dear!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduateβ€’ in reply toJaySeeSkinny

Thank you...:)

Wonderful post, as always. It's not just about the running as you clearly show in your writing, it's about being connected to nature and the world around you. Keep on running (Spencer Davis Group) and entertaining us with your updates because I for one really look forward to them! 😊x

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduateβ€’ in reply to

Thanks you x Yep.. too much time spent gazing and thinking...it works wonders for me ! :)

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Graduate

Lovely Oldfloss! Re: "I will, probably, never be any kind of real runner" - Rubbish! You are everything that running is about!☺ and I love reading your posts☺ - just beautiful!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduateβ€’ in reply toSandraj39

You are lovely... as you well know, just the way I am... I do so enjoy it all. :)

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate

You do realise floss that every time I hear that song now I'll think of you running amok! Love it! Fab journey yet again. And sorry to tell you but **whisper** "you're a runner" 😊

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduateβ€’ in reply toIrishprincess

I run amok so many times don't I ? :)

Every run is different... :)x

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduateβ€’ in reply toOldfloss

We love your running amok 😊

boptillyoudrop49 profile image
boptillyoudrop49Graduate

Abba ! Gosh that's a blast from the past. You're a wee bit bonkers floss, in the best possible way. You seem to have such fun with your running. It is like it unleashes your inner child which is a great thing when it happens. Didn't feel very frisky during my run this morning in the relentless rain. Kept nearly tripping over rabbits. No idea how they didn't hear me coming, thudding along and panting but maybe the rain drowned me out. We had some near misses.

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Graduateβ€’ in reply toboptillyoudrop49

Gosh! Poor bunnies!πŸ˜‰

boptillyoudrop49 profile image
boptillyoudrop49Graduateβ€’ in reply toSandraj39

Don't think they were expecting many loons to be out at the crack of dawn in this weather. They were everywhere, just mooning around in the rain.

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Graduateβ€’ in reply toboptillyoudrop49

Probably just trying to have a quiet nibble or two before all those annoying runners come by...!πŸ˜‰ 🐰🌱

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduateβ€’ in reply toSandraj39

We are very disruptive 😏But cutex

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Such an image there now! Little bunnies rushing around! Fine here today... at the moment anyway.

Bonkers.. yep... I have always been a but loopy... worse now.. I don't have to try to be sensible ! :)

Go you.. rain shall not stop you... brilliant! :)

boptillyoudrop49 profile image
boptillyoudrop49Graduateβ€’ in reply toOldfloss

They were not doing much rushing around. Just sitting around in the middle of lanes. Not what I'd choose to do in a downpour but it seems to be the in thing with my local bunnies.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduateβ€’ in reply toboptillyoudrop49

It still sounds..fun😏

yatesco profile image
yatescoGraduate

Another excellent and amusing post to brighten our day :-).

Ah, midges, also known as 'on the run snacks'

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduateβ€’ in reply toyatesco

Thanks my Gadget Guru..nothing like a midgy mouthful...😏

Katie204 profile image
Katie204Graduate

That's brilliant - especially your take on Chiquitita! 1k in just under 6 minutes is seriously impressive, too.

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