The Beast from the East... Surviving

[Oldfloss]

The Beast from the East

On a rampaging feast

Has deafened the Spring with its roars

With eyes dark as death

And ice on its breath

Spreading bone-numbing cold with its claws

*

The destruction it makes

On the path that it takes

Spells a go-slow or stop as we run

And the runners all groan

Letting out a loud moan

As this Beast puts an end to their fun.

*

But, shall we just let go

In the face of the snow

Or have we some plans to come through

We runners are tough

We'll just strut our stuff

And show that Beast what we can do.

*

If it's safe we'll head out

To the Beast we will shout

You can't stop us, so just do your worst

If indoors it must be

Exercises you'll see,

Or a treadmill, we won't be the first!

*

We'll all do our best,

Nature will do the rest

Days are coming with weather that's fair

Until then,we'll prevail

Battling snow, wind and hail

And send that Beast back to his lair.

******************************

If you are out running, stay sensible, stay safe, stay warm... brighter days beckon

[Hidden]

Just letting my Irish Breakfast Butty settle

Before I show my mettle

Running 10k is in plan

A bit more if I can

And then I will be in fine fettle...

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I hope you managed it okay...

[Hidden in reply to Oldfloss]

I got out of the door

and managed 10.4

Couldn’t do no more....

Even with ju-ju- ’s red lippy

I had twinges in my hippy

( I apologise for the atrocious final rhyme!)

It was nice actually not too cold, but a bit slippy underfoot.Nice to get out otherwise I go a bit stir crazy.

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Well done!! I’m sure the lippy helped!!!!!

[Hidden in reply to ju-ju-]

Absolutely it acts as a wind deflector!

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to Hidden]

And a life saver 😉

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate in reply to Hidden]

😂😂😂

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Woo hoo! Fantastic poem Floss!

Giving us the tools and a gentle nudge in the right direction as always!😆😊xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks you... I am getting a tad stir crazy, and exercises are done for the day.. ! I am painting...and writing... the Mule sheep in the photo..were my first attempt at watercolour when I started a few years back! Our tutor said they looked surprised!!! Polite comment...I thought xxxx

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

I had no idea you did that lovely painting Floss! Your talents are boundless!

On closer inspection the middle one is saying 'Floss is normally passing by now'...😄xx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

First try... my Dad painted in watercolours, but other than doing painting with him, it was never a media I used much... I decided a few years ago to take classes in watercolour painting I am learning a lot! Slow and steady

[Richard7 Graduate]

I cannot compete

With this poetry feat

So I won’t, I’ll just say hoorah

Great rhyming fun

Encouraging our run

But for me 10K is still a bit far.

And a great pic - loving it!!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Richard7]

Pretty good Richard.. have competition... I cannot get out to run... my exercises are done..!

Mule sheep...my first attempt when I started watercolour classes!!

You will do that 10K !!!

[Irish-John Graduate]

Dang -sounds like a few blind dates of mine! 😂😂😂😂

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

The Beast, John... or the sheep ?

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

😂😂😂😂😂

[Elfe5 Graduate]

Plenty of rest,

Nursing bad chest, 😡

Such a sad blow

No play in the snow, 😔

Work closed - ooh fun! 😄

ALL paperwork done 😮

Flex and some squats,

Jigsaw, read lots!

Thanks for a great post! We will all run again ( in my case hurry up & work antibiotics!) 😄

[Elfe5 Graduate in reply to Elfe5]

PS Love the snowy sheep! 😃

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Elfe5]

Great poem you!!!

You see... folk are forgetting the rotten conditions... I

I hope you feel much better soon... we will all run again..together xx

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Three surprised sheep,

Beginning to bleat-

“Who is that running across?”

Stay cool as we go!

Despite the deep snow

It’s only our dearest friend Floss!

Lovely poem, very uplifting Floss Thank you xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Millsie-J]

I wish!!!!!

I am so hoping I can get out tomorrow... ice here today, some drifting bits and bitter wind...!!

Thanks you, and I hope you are staying warm too

[Frank-ntj]

Nice one Floss, you attached a cheery note to some dreadful weather. Keep smiling m’dear and take it steady! 👍

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Frank-ntj]

Thanks Frank.. a bit of fun to counteract the gloomy outlook Hope all is well with you, my friend

[Virginia60 Graduate]

Love it and the picture love those sheep!! Snow melting yay hopefully a cheeky little run tomorrow morning xx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Virginia60]

Fingers crossed.. I am hopeful..if the wind dies down, it is bitter here! Thanks you xxx I shall watch for your post

[SaskAlliecat Graduate]

Thanks Floss. You're one talented woman. I love your poem and your painting 💕

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Just a silly bit of fun, whilst I am housebound... beats housework anytime xxx

Stay warm xxx You know what real cold is xxxx

[SaskAlliecat Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

I just watched a news article about the storm you guys are experiencing. Wow! Is all I have to say. That is some serious snow and some nasty conditions. You all need to take care!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Most of us are... just not used to such harsh conditions

[Hidden]

Where?..never snows here down Under..always loved the cold snowy weather but haven't really experienced it..

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Hidden]

The UK has had plenty....we could send you some

[LiisaM Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

She could have ours, too!

[Tbae]

Absolutely brilliant. Wow. Mentor,Runner,Painter and Poet.How many more or's , er's and et's are there.🤔😂😂😂🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Tbae]

Just a little bit of fun really.. all exercises done today.. and still icy out there...

[Tbae]

Inspiritational leadership and talent, I call it.🌟Really Amazing.🌟

Lead the people to Wellness👏👏

You have slain the gremlins , dragons and now the beast.👍😂😂😂

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Tbae]

Thank you.

[Irishprincess Graduate]

Fab post and fab poem you really are a star

And the painting proves no wonder we love you from afar.

You've chased the Beast and sent it away and now it's in retreat

It cannot hide and can never compete with runners' moving feet 🏃🏃🏃

Brilliant painting Floss xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

You are lovely and your poem too.... and I am so amazed how much talent we all have.. poets a'plenty.

I am really hoping the Beast is running away now... stay safe and warm my friend xxx

PS

I don't think my tutor was overly impressed..but I like them.. . I used the picture on my Christmas cards that year

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Your tutor knew nothing. And what a lovely Christmas card it makes. Hope we get out for a run tomorrow xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Me too..

I just looked at the forecast, it says drizzle and fog, and heard myself saying to Mr OF, "...oh great I shall be able to run..." drizzle and fog..it sounds wonderful doesn't it.... who would ever have thought we could feel and think like this

[Decker]

Lovely poem and a beautiful watercolour Floss. I think our weather was switched with yours. The snow we were supposed to get never appeared and now its sunny. Go figure!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Decker]

Lucky you... I could do with your thermal mittens

Thanks you... My sheep would probably be fine out there currently... it is clearing a little and set to warm up..I do not think we shall have snow though xx

[Decker in reply to Oldfloss]

Haha Yes I wore them today and had to take them off halfway through my run. It was a hard one today.

Your sheep look like they could handle almost any weather. I hope it warms up soon so you can get out again. That is some serious snow you are experiencing!

[Sweatyfaced Graduate]

Love it Oldfloss ; fourth day snowed in and the picture and poem have really cheered me up! Hope to get back out there tomorrow...

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Sweatyfaced]

That was the idea... just to make folk smile... I am hoping for tomorrow too... fingers crossed eh x

[ju-ju- Graduate]

This is fabulous 😻😻😻

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to ju-ju-]

You are... out there in all weathers...a small thing like the Beast from the East, will never stop you..inspirational x

[SuzyKK Graduate]

This is so wonderful & I love your painting too! Huge smile on my face.

Here's my attempt...

I am still quite slow,

and though I love snow,

I feared I would fall on my face.

I'd love to run further,

but for now I'm a "L"earner,

tho' I've entered a local 10K race!

Between weather & general faffing I only did one run last week, so will have to improve on that if I hope to manage my local 10K... currently I would have to walk part of it...

Thanks for being such a great inspiration. xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to SuzyKK]

Thank you.... I am so glad I made you smile... snowy days need smiles

[ancientrunner Graduate]

Such a talented lady. Wonderful painting.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to ancientrunner]

Not really...just having fun ... and waiting for the Spring.. thanks you x

[ChrisAllen1 Graduate]

Wonderful Floss

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to ChrisAllen1]

Thanks.. just trying to like the mood... running tomorrow???

[ChrisAllen1 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

I hope so, going to try 10k but it will have to be on roads dodging cars as every pavement still a no go.

[skysue16 Graduate]

Love it! 😊