What is Your Week ? December 22nd to January 6th

[Oldfloss]

Here we go... The Winterval has begun... The Shortest Day was yesterday and now.. the days will begin to draw out slowly

I managed a run this morning...it was dry and it was sunny if somewhat soggy and muddy underfoot... A tad different than this time in 2015 when I Graduated ! Three years and still running

You can tell from my photograph, ( taken far too many years ago), that I plan to relax and let the Season unfold around me... enjoying time spent with the family, and all of our Winter festivities; whilst trying, also, to make sure I stay reasonably active. But..if you are not able to make your runs for whatever reason.. then just relax...the time to run will come.

With numbers increasing, it is great, to have a little fun post, so we can see who is on which week of the programme, and hopefully it will help everyone to feel more included on the forum.

We can support, encourage and generally help each other, in a positive and friendly way, with no thought of comparison.

Please remember it doesn't matter if you stay on the same week for a while, that is fine; it is a journey and it really doesn't matter how long it takes, it will be so worth it when you get to the final run.

If you have just graduated, also, this will be a great place to keep you motivated,and there is always the Quest on the Bridge to 10k forum also, for Graduates.

So, come and join the fun.... Let us know how it is going

This is an updated post... as all our usual Monday posts , will be two week posts... and just a heads up for you, nearly there runners...the graduation badge post will cover December and the first week of January until the 6th.

Sp...whatever you are doing and wherever you are, I wish you all the happiest of times, and look forward to reading all your festive running posts!

Oldfloss xx

[Mollymoonmaiden]

Hi, I've just got back from my graduation run!! It would have been so much harder to achieve without the help and support of this forum. Can't believe how far I've come, I couldn't even run for one minute on week 1. Best Christmas present to myself ever 😁!! Merry Christmas everyone!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Mollymoonmaiden]

Huge well done to you! I felt exactly the same in 2015!

What a great present to you...x

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

My graduation run on 18 June this year certainly was "my moment and highlight of 2018".

I wish you Oldfloss a very Merry Christmas and a happy New year, May you have good runs injury free in 2019. 😊 🏃

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Very well done you...You are still here and still running and giving so much to the forum... thank you!

Thanks for your good wishes... I am looking forward to ramping up my HM training in the New Year.. March 24th is only three months away.. eeek! xxxx

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

You will run that HM on March 24 with out any problems whatsoever Floss, not sure if you want to run it "slow and steady" or go out for a PB, the only run I ran this year NOT slow and steady was my PB of 32.25 on 10 October when I ran my third 5K.

[LiisaM Graduate]

Thanks for the picture with the words, which especially resonated with me as I am not "chilled out!" I'm still hanging in there thanks to your posts, although the most I continue to do is .8 miles of walking with my stop-and-go black lab.... Thanks, Oldfloss, for posting.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to LiisaM]

You are out there and moving... be proud... xxx

I try and stay chilled, although at times it is not easy... times like Christmas are a little difficult sometimes... ( old memories)... just relax, stay calm... celebrate your son being home too xxx You will survive xxx

[Whatnog]

Hi, Running in the Southern hemisphere these days. I was so looking forward to leaving behind the chilly mornings and running in warm sunny weather....🤩 I totally underestimated the effect of going up 20 degrees!!! 🥵🌡 After a couple of shorter-than-planned runs and having checked the past Summer posts for tips, I am now enjoying the runs under the ☀️!!!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Whatnog]

Well done you, slow steady and ... do stay chilled

[BaddieThePirate Graduate in reply to Whatnog]

So hot and sticky! I'm looking forward to next UK summer 🙃

[Whatnog in reply to BaddieThePirate]

🤣🤣 I sincerely hope that the slowly rising temperatures through Spring will help me get used to the heat and I will be ready for the Summer. The jump from 3 to 23 in one day (and 16 hours flight) caught me off-guarded this time!

[BaddieThePirate Graduate in reply to Whatnog]

Takes a while to acclimatise. Is it humid? The humidity in Oz is finishing me off! Dawn runs have been the answer... 🙃

[Jazzyd Graduate]

Just done my first Parkrun! So will probably have a few days off. Then maybe get gait analysis done. Ready for some consolidation runs xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Jazzyd]

Well done you.... get those wonderful running feet sorted

[emma_lynne Graduate]

I am attempting week 6 starting today with the plan to incorporate week 6 run 2 into a Christmas day Parkrun but I woke up yesterday with my hip feeling a bit weird. It feels fine walking and moving around but gets stiff and a bit sore if I sit too long. Going to do some extra warm up and attempt my run today but if it doesn't feel right at all then I will just give it a miss. I think having gotten to the point that I know I can run 20mins makes me feel that even if I have to take some time off and redo a few weeks that I know I can get to a point where I can run now. Fingers crossed the hip is nothing but if it is I guess I will be resting up over Christmas.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to emma_lynne]

Hope the hip feels better.. and that Christmas was good

[Fit2Sing Graduate]

I am hoping to get through week 8 run 3 tomorrow & finish week 9 on New Years eve. I haven't posted on the forum before but I read it every day & it's been really helpful in getting through the tough runs! It will be one of my resolutions to try & support new runners the way you have all supported me. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

[BaddieThePirate Graduate in reply to Fit2Sing]

Hello! Great resolution. Keep posting, it's good to hear from you 😀

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Fit2Sing]

Huge well done...Just relax into the runs.. and let those legs do their stuff and find their own happy pace!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Fit2Sing]

If you are running today... just relax, and enjoy.. what a super way to end 2018... becoming a Graduate!!!

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

Finished week 4 with only a single half-repeat this time (I called it a day on that one after the black dog running loose in the dusk got under my feet for the third time !) Looking forward to attempting the act of courage and determination that is week 5 !

Glad you called attention to your photo. Strangely, in my head I always picture you as an Old English Sheepdog 😄

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Well done you...!! You will do the run..relax..enjoy.

Now....Old English Sheepdog???? Well I suppose that's better than the forum friend who though I was a grey haired old man who lived in a cave....!!

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

No, definitely not an old man 😄 Not sure where the image came from. I suppose the Old is obviously from your username. Floss = fluffy = too many Dulux ads in my misspent youth ?!! Or maybe I’m just weird ! At least it’s a better image than a grubby hirsute hermit (and warmer at this time of year than living in a cave) 😁

[molly1973 Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

You are really progressing through those weeks now, Buttercup! Enjoy week 5: it’s a fab stage!

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to molly1973]

Thanks Molly. It looks like a challenge, and you know how I like one of those ! 😉

[Nita49 Graduate]

Did my first run since graduating a week today. Boy it was a tough one and had to stop and walk a couple of times.... But it is what it is... I know I'm totally out of my routine and haven't been swimming either, life just gets in the way sometimes.... I shall however not loose any sleep over it and enjoy a glass or two of G&T whilst munching on some Twiglets no doubt 😁

Boxing day at Wincanton Races and then a Curry in the evening 👍

Whatever you are doing, enjoy and have a great time....

Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2019 xx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Nita49]

Huge well done you! Onward towards 2019..

[molly1973 Graduate]

Into week 9! First parkrun on Saturday to finish week 8 (42mins with a couple of walks in the last km) so I have been feeling chuffed with myself, but today’s run brought me back down to earth with a bump!! Needed another rest day, I think. Have a fabulous Christmas and a wonderful New Year 💕🎄🏃‍♂️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to molly1973]

Go you... and here you are.. on the way to another New Year of running!

[Reverie1 Graduate]

Thanks for posting, and for your usual wise encouragement and support : )

I am really hoping to get back to running after a frustratingly lingering illness which has really wiped me out for the last 2 or 3 weeks. Frustrating - especially as I took back my running kit to stay with relatives over Xmas and had to bring it back unworn!

I'm slightly dreading getting back out there and finding how much stamina I've lost...but also encouraged by reading the forum and reminding myself that it's better to plan to start back slowly than not at all. And that I will soon build it back up again, just as I did back in the beginning of C25K.

I am planning to try a short run tomorrow morning. Wish me luck!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Reverie1]

Enjoy that run on the last day of 2018... relax and revel in the wonderful feeling...just don't push at all. When we have been ill of injured it is very scary when we head out again.... just listen to your body and go with it...

The runs wait.... I did not run for over a month when I had the residual bronchitis after a communal cold/cough/ virus/ whatsoever went around the family! Back on track now, but still taking it gently!

You will get there... please let is know how the run went...

[Reverie1 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Many thanks, Oldfloss : )

I only made it back out today in the end due to the lingering cough...and I only did about 15 minutes before having to walk, but at least it's a start! Tomorrow will be a rest day, then I will gradually build back up to what I was doing before the break.

It was good to be out there again and having that nice feeling for the rest of the day : )

Thanks again for your support.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Reverie1]

Very well done..our body is our best guide... the voice that does not use words... ! x

[mrsrobbsruns]

Just finished W6 R3, cannot believe I have just ran for 25 minutes! My pace is painfully slow (I can actually walk faster) but I didn't stop once. Not sure I'm going to cover 5km when I finish but I now think I can run for the whole 30 minutes. Result!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to mrsrobbsruns]

Slow is perfect.... it takes us wherever we want to be... very well done you!

You do not have to cover 5K... the name C25K is a bit of an oxymoron... you just do those 30 minute runs, slowly and gently!

Remember...

" Snails see the benefits, the beauty in every inch".

[mafee Graduate]

just about to do W4R3 so I guess my new year's resolution will be to keep going. I am hoping to be near graduation by the end of Feb so that I can go on holiday to Antigua with a neater beach body! ( how vain) my real aim is to complete the Donor Run in the Transplant Games in August in Newcastle.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to mafee]

Great goals... very well done... slow and steady and keep on running!

[Dawdie]

Just finished my graduation run. I have followed the program and although I have completed the course on my treadmill, I intend to continue 3 runs per week and build up my speed until I feel confident to run outside.

Thanks for all the advise and help. A great forum with some fab members

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Dawdie]

Brilliant... well done you!!

[Erddig Graduate]

I’ve finally stopped coughing and my temperature is normal. I’m resuming W9 on Monday, don’t try and stop me. I’ve got a new Buff scarf that’s calling out to me.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Erddig]

Go go go... a new BUFF.. well there's no excuse! I got a new one too...Purple!!!

[Erddig Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Mines a sort of fluorescent pink with purple bits. Lovely.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Erddig]

Sounds awesome!!!

[Crowdedmouse]

I've just finished week 4. I couldn't run for a minute in week 1 so I'm pretty pleased to be able to manage 5 minutes (I did have a few happy tears after my first 5 minute run, lucky it was dark)! After a stressful few days with dad moving to a care home & mum in hospital (& all the visiting that entails) it was great to get some time for myself, put my trainers & music on & go out tonight 🙂.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Crowdedmouse]

Oh gosh... well done you. I empathise completely... I remember the day we took my Mum to her Care home... very, very traumatic for us... she was fine

You did well and it will be good to pop in runs as and when you can to leave some of the stress behind for a while.. many of us use the runs to alleviate the issues of life..

Do take care of yourself.... xx