For my lack of support, over the last few weeks, in my other role as Mentor...I have neglected old friends shamefully and Newbies also. I am trying to get back on the case
I have, as a few friends on the forum know, been on the IC since January 6th. Not a running related injury...just a chance twisting movement, with Small Runner in Training on my hip..and the result... a trapped Sciatic nerve, and one of the most painful things I have ever endured... ( yes... a wimp I know:))
Four weeks on.. no runs... exercises twice a day...upped after visit to the Physio'.. Sleepless nights and Stretched nerves. Stir-crazy is an understatement. My Black Dog was not just lurking, he had moved in with me and settled down for the duration.
Thank goodness for the two days I care for SRiT.. we do walk for miles.. and walking was fine
So...Sunday...my favourite run day.... and this Sunday, extra Special.
Today... I felt, after three consecutive nights of sound sleep.. that I needed to go out. Just to see...if my legs still work and if the Snail could hit the trail again.
It was, fortunately, a beautiful morning, although, other than snow and ice, nothing would have stopped me. Gear laid out the night before..leggings on the radiator.. shoes underneath...and that wonderful butterfly feeling in the tummy... half trepidation, half excitement
Out into the sharp morning air... slightly overdressed,with layers, as I knew that I was going to be Sensible... and that Slow and Steady was gong to be taken to another level. As ever on Sundays... the houses on the Close, tight curtained and silent...the gardens, their hues richer, darker, somehow, earthier, than in the coming months; silent sleepers here also, beneath the earth. Corms and flowers, stirring, indolently, as the first tentative fingers of warmth, reach beneath the surface.
Out onto the hill and still walking ,still warming up. Walking very briskly...I was not alone... I had a friend with me... Laura... Yes.. Week 1 Run 1...if all went to plan.
Down into the village, the main road quiet, the newsagents open... the small deliverers of news, disappearing into the distance... laden with the Sunday Rags, Mags and associated inserts.
The first walk finished and the first run due... my heart was thumping inside my chest, slightly dry mouthed, and unsure..I have had injuries... not many... only two running related...and I have bounced back... this last spell on the IC has knocked me for six... and I was so unsure whether this was the right thing to be doing, on this Sunday morning.
However.. heading up past Rookery Wood...( still there McFitty ... ) the Rooks chuntering and complaining....a couple walking with a small golden Labrador puppy, heading for the fields.. a cheery good morning, as I run? trying to land lightly...barely lifting my feet from the ground. Before I know it... the run is ended... and the relief I feel is palpable.. I am still here.. my breathing is Steady and I am walking... out along the track to the field.. a couple of quick photographs...Snowdrops, higgledy piggledy, beneath the hedges. self-set and spreading... those first harbingers of Spring, fragile forerunners of the Spring to follow. My heart lifts, I already feel stronger, more alive...less anxious...out into the field and the muddy trail that awaits...
Sludge and slurry. Slipping and sliding as I teeter...inelegantly, Corps de Ballet, not Prima Ballerina, on the drier side of the track...a Blackbird, full throated and brazen, pulses out his song from the undergrowth beneath my majestic tree; huge, bare winter branches, out-flung in silent supplication to a listening sky. The runs and the walks follow... I slip easily back into the rhythm...listening to Laura... new tunes now, but still the calm reassurance of a voice that I know. I am remembering the way I ran C25K two years ago... and am in awe of how far I have travelled Over the Steam railway line... no iron giants awake at this hour... and over into the far field.
The sights, the smells and the sounds filling my whole being. The Spring Wheat is up a full five inches...brave green spikes detonating from the loamy earth with sharp, green ferocity...I stick to the track, muddy though it is, before turning and heading back towards the top lane. Up the side of the field.. the hedge thick and tangled. the sparrows busying around, and the tiniest wren, playing hide and seek with itself.... the ivy, thick green, winding and wandering over the trunks of the trees, clinging and covering, hiding the secret life of the roots beneath. Squeezing through by the big gate... I cannot climb over it right now, and it is too heavy for me to open...out onto the lane and towards the bridle path.
Unbelievably, the last run is here...and I am still standing... I run; my favourite phrase, kissing the ground with my feet, is in my head... this is not kissing the ground, it is simply skimming the ground, lips brushing a cheek.. I am trying to minimise any impact...and before I know it I am done, the run is over and I am to walk, as I cool down
A pensive walk back home... listening to my body, trying to feel any twinges or aches or pains... a hot shower awaits... Was this a Sensible thing to do... tonight will tell... but right now the only S I am feeling is....Satisfied
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Oldfloss
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Thanks.. I will second that... I might be back to square one...but... I will get there
Nice to see you in such fine form, singing about being a newly returned and hopefully fully recovered runner. No greenery in London unfortunately, so I will have to see it vicariously through your eyes. Here's a toast to your next run.
Fabulous post Floss...look at that tag *Iron...that says it all.
Well done you for being brave and taking those first steps back on the running trail...Fingers crossed, that it has done you good physically as well as mentally....
The first steps as you edge off the IC must be a worry, but you know we are all here supporting you and wishing you well.😊xx
Go, go - OF! I did something similar to my back, not so bad as yours, possibly grandson related, before Xmas. But all is well now. Love your descriptions of your runs.
Wonderful post thank you Floss - I just love going on your runs with you - the wren playing hide and seek with itself - brilliant - that went straight to my birdwatchers heart!!
I'm so sorry that you have had such a painful start to the year & very pleased to hear that you are mending. I'm sending hugs and every good wish for a full & speedy recovery. E xx
Rookery Wood *deep sigh* how I love that place, and I only know it through your words. 💕 Mend well and grow strong lovely Floss (the perfect tag too for our Iron lady with the kissy feet) 😘
I love this forum - I've never met you, but I felt a genuine pang that you couldn't run, again, and am so pleased to see this post, though of course sad that the black dog snuck back in. Said canine needs to run off, far, in the opposite direction to you x
Floss your description of your feelings leave us meer mortals in aw. I know your running will soon (again) match your verbal excellence. Fantastic post. Mike
I'm so glad you were able to put on your trainers and try a nice sensible run again. Another beautiful eloquent post, taking us with you, the whole way. Time to send the Black Dog packing.
Me too, my friend... I was very apprehensive..but determined to listen to this old body I love taking my friends with me and have missed it so much. Yes... the dog has slunk off into the distance! I shall watch him carefully!
So pleased for you Floss to be able to get out and run again with our old pal Laura. The pleasure and relief are palpable in your writing and we are with you every step of the way!! X
Oh Floss, I am so happy you managed to get out again after your spell on the IC. I totally feel for you, having just recently come back myself. My black dog was nipping at my heels too, but a slow and steady return shut it right up. I wish the same for you too, dear Flossie. Onwards and upwards. xx
Thank you so much, it is so great when we get back onto it...I know you are getting back on track too, although I have been so remiss in not keeping up with folk!
These pesky dogs... we think we have lost them and suddenly there they are... as you say, nipping at our heels... but, fortunately they loathe running!!!
Onward and upwards indeed... slow and very, very steady
Oh brilliant post and great to see you back. My shoes look just as muddy and I can sympathise with the ballerina slipping and sliding. The mud interrupted my run yesterday 💃🏼🏃♀️
I know how you feel at the moment floss, and i haven't been around here much either Miss you all but motivation a bit rubbish at the mo. I've missed a cross country race in Jan and a 10 mile road race yesterday due to sore calf and now a bit of groin strain feeling a bit of black dog too with this and other stuff going on, have a holiday week at the mo but not been the best did volunteer at parkrun Saturday and got drafted in as marshal at the race yesterday too, was good to support all my fellow club mates though. Going to try a run tues night, did two last week but still bit sore off walkies in the woods shortly as sun is shining
Beautiful post - so pleased you made it. Your support and advice has made a difference to so many of us on here. So you know what they say slow and.....
Thanks Richard... i did not Strava my run... I was just determined to take it as it came... I have my feet over the starting line and slow and steady, I will get there
What a lovely post, thanks for writing! So glad you managed to get out again and run. It's the building of confidence after a fall or injury that takes so much time and effort. The psychological aspect is just as important as the physical impact. Hope you are feeling fine after your first run for a while. Xx
So pleased to read your post, welcome back and with such a vivid description of your run who would not love to get out there and join you?
Thank you too for sharing you thoughts and feeelings, it really helps fairly newbies like me to know that even if the dreaded injury halt happens it is not the end , also that going back to the start of the journey is the sensible way back.
I’m sure I’m not alone to hear your slow and steady mantra in my ears, running really makes that sure the dog stays in his kennel for me
I am happy you shared my run.... running and rambling is why it works for me. I am glad to be just over that starting line again
The runs are always still there... and hard though it is, we have to be sensible and just be patient. I have found it very difficult this time...but... feet are over the starting line now and I will take it gently x
Gosh, look at those pink trainers! you are such a girly girl
I've had sciatica and know how painful it can be, so no, you are not a wimp! And so glad you are back out there. I don't know what i would do now if I couldn't run. well done you for toughing it out and not being tempted to try to get out there again before you were ready.
And beautiful, lyrical writing as ever. A treat to read xx
Edit: would die happy if I had written this line: brave green spikes detonating from the loamy earth with sharp, green ferocity
They are a great shade aren't they...actually they are purple and match my one purple leg leggings... check out the piks...( you don't have to read the ramble:))
I am a tom-boy at heart... ( can I say that ?) and being patient this time has been hard, but the fact that I felt so crocked really helped. I am going to really have to be sensible, ( gulp) and really listen to my body... I want to get back up to 10K, but I shall just let things evolve at the right pace...
Fabulous. Inspirational! Have you ever thought of adding creative writing to your many other skills? So pleased to see your post, and really hope the recovery continues.
You've been there for us all and what a great job you do. Thank you. Now this wannabe hippy wishes you sunshine and rainbows and happy running from here on in.
Ahh, Floss......you brought a tear to my eye, so lovely to read your beautiful descriptions and so glad that you were able to enjoy a sunny Sunday morning out running. So sorry to hear of your pain and distress, I hope you are definitely on the mend.
Wonderful writing. And thank you for all your support for us all - especially me in the past year. You have always been here for us with your words of wisdom! x
Oh Floss I am so pleased you got that run in. I know how it can feel when you can’t run. I’m glad the darker times are behind you now and there is never a need to apologise, you do so much to help so many people, it is so appreciated,
Thanks Rfc x I feel a bit of a fraud, when folk are going through so much and with life changing issues...it just hit me a tad hard this time... but.. getting int the air.. and running, however slowly.. just wonderful!
That is really beautiful, Oldfloss. What poetry! You made it all so alive that I was there with you, feeling the cold air on my cheeks, hearing the birds - and that puppy was so cute!
I hope you felt well all day and have bounced out of bed this morning.
Not exactly bounced, but another good night's sleep and the fresh air from yesterday... I certainly got up with a lighter heart.. and no other aches and pains
Beautifully written Oldfloss: a pleasure to read.I am with you today as I haven't been able to run since the middle of last week because of back pain...or sheep's revenge as we has-been sheep farmers call it. It has blighted my life for thirty years so you have my sympathy. I hope your return to running goes well.
Ouch... and I am complaining after just four weeks... I shall take you out with me on Thursday and we will, as ever go slow and steady Hope you feel easier soon!
I've gone back to w1r1 too after anemia & trapped nerve (tiling injury) but on treadmill. Your run sounds much more interesting than mine! Glad to be on the journey with you.😊
A great writer paints a wonderful picture in the mind! Great to read and imagine, great to read about the tentative first steps of the, almost!, reborn runner! Wonderful stuff young lady ;0)
So pleased for you to be back where you belong at last. What a lovely looking run too, no wonder you've been champing at the bit to get back out. Hope these next few runs are all the sweeter for the wait.
I've not been around much recently as I'm injured/can't run, so I hadn't heard that you were on the IC too. I'm sorry you have had to endure all that pain 🤕 But happy to hear that you are on the mend.
I am hoping to be able to start again next weekend, and I think C25K will be a good way of easing back in, though I know that it is going to feel strange to run-walk again.
I am feeling a heck of a lot better, I still have a numb foot)...but it is going to be slow progress.. I am heading out now.. ( late for me) for Week 2!
I am so sorry that you have been injured too... that is horrid. You were doing wonderfully...quite literally doing great things How far away those early days seem.
I hope you get back to your form again.
Start this again and we can move forward together? Slow and steady will get us there...
As Pippi would say...
"Don’t you worry about (me). US..... I’ll ( WE'LL) always come out on top"
Love to you my friend... please keep posting your progress xxx
Sorry to hear about your injury Oldfloss - another one we share I'm afraid😫 as I had this last year!! Great that you are now getting back to your running. I have been quiet recently too - life a bit (no, very) hectic and I am afraid I had so little time and no energy when I did! Back out there again now and wondering why I let things slide. I am a happier person when I run - simple as that.😀 Hope things continue well for you.x
You make me want to run with you every time you post Oldfloss ...every time...I can feel the relief in your post that you’re ok & have been back out there!!! The wasp is finally free from the glass!!! Looking forward to your future posts as ever x
Thank you... I enjoyed getting out,so, so much... I completed Week 1.. and will complete Week 2 tomorrow...thankfully, the nerve now seems to have freed itself!!!
Not a pain in the Butt any longer! But... I shall take it very slow and steady... until I am back on form.... a little bit of sunshine and warmth would not go amiss though xxx
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Miss you all but motivation a bit rubbish at the mo. I've missed a cross country race in Jan and a 10 mile road race yesterday due to sore calf and now a bit of groin strain 
So just what sort of animal are you?
