Never underestimate a snail with running shoes... - Couch to 5K

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Never underestimate a snail with running shoes...

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate
77 Replies

For those that have been with me since 2015 and those that have just got to know me.. this is a Floss post...:)

Three years ago in 2015... I Graduated from C25K.... I ran for 30 minutes and I ran 5K...I thought I had to, in order to Graduate... :)

This morning... I ran 5K.... I ran part of the route that I ran for Graduation and part on my beloved fields.

Two years ago I wrote some words to a Lewis Carroll poem, for my Runniversary... I have simply tweaked it... because although my running has evolved...my reason for running has not changed at all.

I run for my health, my happiness, my family, and because I enjoy it :)

So......one more time.... You are Old... Mark 2 !

...With sincere apologies to Lewis Carroll

“You are old, Mother Oldfloss”, the Young Runners shriek,

“And your hair has become very grey

And yet you incessantly do three runs a week-

Do you think, at your age, that's okay”?

“At the start”, Mother Oldfloss replied to the crowd

“I feared I might drop on the spot

But a Half Marathon beckons, in just three months time

So each week I'm out there like a shot”!

“You are old”, said the runners, “we mentioned before,

You'd be faster if you ran on the flat...

And yet, you still run on the fields and on the sea shore

Pray, what is the reason for that”?

“Three years past” said OldFloss as she shook her grey hair;

“C25K took my eye,on line;

By slow and by steady, I, in nine weeks got there,

And right now, I am still doing fine”.

“You are old, said the runners, and your legs they are weak

“You run,and you surely must rue it

Yet, you can still up your speed, with a flamboyant streak,

Pray how do you manage to do it”?

“Three years past”, said Old Floss, as I said once before,

“The running just gave me such pleasure;

And running has strengthened me, made me more sure,

A part of my life that I treasure” !

“You are old”, said the runners, “we would hardly suppose,

That your pace is as steady as ever,

Whether you run on the fields, or on trails or on roads

What made you so awfully clever”?

“I have answered three questions and I think that's enough”

Said Oldfloss, “and the answer is still very clear

The reason I do it, all of this running stuff,

Is because of all you friends, right here”

So, one and all, friends old and new...Thank you.

Flossx

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Oldfloss profile image
Oldfloss
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77 Replies
David_G profile image
David_G

Lovely post as usual Floss.😀👍Thanks for all the advice and support you’ve given me and countless others on our running journeys🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️😀😀

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toDavid_G

Thanks David.. Happy Running!

CatMo13 profile image
CatMo13Graduate

Happy runniversary Floss. Love this! Happy continued running to you 🌸🌷🌝🦚🏃‍♀️

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toCatMo13

Thanks you xx

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate

Lovely poem Floss, happy running 🏃 😊.

PS. Happy runniversary

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toAlMorr

Thank you, it has gone by so quickly!

SaskAlliecat profile image
SaskAlliecatGraduate

💕So lovely to read another wonderful Oldfloss post 💕

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toSaskAlliecat

Hey you.. still here... but with less time to post.. all these new runners:) Hope you are keeping warm and having fun n all the snow :) xxx

mafee profile image
mafeeGraduate in reply toOldfloss

Well as one of the many new runners ( started Dec 5th 2018) I am massively grateful for you and the others who always reply to me and have kept me motivated. Many thanks and Happy New(ish) Year

McFitty profile image
McFittyGraduate

Ah Floss, that takes me back...

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toMcFitty

Hello! I thought about you so much yesterday.. I have a photo of McFitty's wood!!!!

The rooks are still there... :) I am going to post on Bridge.. and i am mentioning you!!

Hope all is well with you my friend xxx

McFitty profile image
McFittyGraduate in reply toOldfloss

One day... One day I will run through Rookery Wood (singing Old Floss rhymes) Happy Christmas lovely Floss xxx

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate

And thank you to you too. What would the forum be like without a Floss. Happy running. Rfc xxx

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toRealfoodieclub

Thank you my friend... one of the awesome folk who has kept me going and keep me going ... xxx

mountaindreamer profile image
mountaindreamerGraduate

Beautiful poetic adaptation Floss! Thank you from all of us on this and the sister forums for your help, guidance, encouragement and joyful optimism. It’s always a pleasure to read your posts. xxx

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply tomountaindreamer

Just a little bit of fun.. I have little time to write, but a trying hard. I think the poets would be laughing if they could see what I do to their words!

We have so many Newbies! I seem to forget to post my own runs... !

Thank youx

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate

That’s so lovely Oldfloss! You’re posts have been a wonderful source of inspiration & motivation since I started doing this back in March.

A merry Christmas and a happy runniversary to you. Here’s to many, many more years running 🏃‍♀️🎄🎄🎄😀

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toTailChaser

You are kind, thank you xx Happy Running to you!

Katnap profile image
KatnapGraduate

Happy runniversary! I hope you get the most out of the lengthening hours of daylight now we are past the solstice

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toKatnap

Thank you... It is a lovely thought that the days are stretching out now as we move on :) x

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate in reply toKatnap

Love the new photo Katnap ❤️😸

quirkybee profile image
quirkybeeGraduate

Lovely Oldfloss. You've inspired me from the beginning, given great, sound advice and you're a wise lady to take heed from.

I may only run every few weeks, due to hopeless lack of free time, but when I do get the chance, I think of you and you keep me motivated.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart and the soles of my running shoes 😂😂♥️ xxx

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toquirkybee

My smiling girl. You have done and still do wonderfully. You have had much to deal with and yet, always you have that cheerful determination to do what you can. when you can.. we can all learn much from you xxxx

quirkybee profile image
quirkybeeGraduate in reply toOldfloss

Aww, that's so lovely of you to say Oldfloss xx I had my running gear laid out in (new dog bed for Finley for Xmas last night, haha) ready for this morning, but I didn't get to sleep till 3am, then felt stewed, when I got up about 9, I felt yuck. Then one thing after another went wrong, so my kit is still in Fin's bed, lol. Nevermind, I'll try again in a few days. Even bought myself a hi viz strap thing to go around my waist and shoulders, so I'm determined to do it either of a morning or after work, even if I'm dead whacked 🤣🤣

Thank you my lovely friend, the support from you has kept me going since I started running xxx

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toquirkybee

You do it when it is right for you.. just relax.. we know the runs wait for us... :) xxx

We keep each other going :) x

Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate

Aaaah...we have missed your super, poetic tales Floss, this conjures up a lovely picture🐌 and also shows how much pleasure running gives you.

A very fitting reprise of 'You are Old...(Father William)...one of my favourites, and now with your HM goal firmly declared! Perfect😊

Happy 3rd Runniversary and

Merry Christmas to you and your family 😊xxxx

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toBluebirdrunner

Jan.... Thank you.. it was a reprise of last Year... I love it too... ! Yes.. I need to get ramped up, but as ever it will be s and s... :) Will e mail you soon my friend.. xxx

lexi6 profile image
lexi6Graduate

Congratulations on your tri-runniversary OF. The joy and love you have for running shines through in your poem and all of your posts and its blooming infectious! Thank you. XX 💐 🌻

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply tolexi6

That is so lovely of you.. thank you. I love running.. and I want everyone else to.. and have fun on the way !

Poppy8900 profile image
Poppy8900Graduate

What a lovely inspirational post!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toPoppy8900

Thanks you... xx

cheryl_couch_tatty profile image
cheryl_couch_tattyGraduate

Thank you for keeping us going xx merry Christmas

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply tocheryl_couch_tatty

Merry Christmas to you and thank you!!

DebJogsOn profile image
DebJogsOnGraduate

Congratulations Floss! What an inspiration you are 😊. As well as all you own running I wonder how many others you have encouraged to keep going. Xx

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toDebJogsOn

Thanks you... you awesome runner you xx

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate

My lovely, lovely friend. Happy Runniversary to you, fabulous poem as only you can create. We love you, you know 😘

A very Happy Christmas to you and yours xxx

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toIrishprincess

And I love you Maj.. you have been with me from the beginning... I hope Christmas with all the rest of the Royals goes smoothly this year!! ( sit Meghan right away from Kate :)) xxx

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply toOldfloss

😂😂 😂 xxx

Razouski profile image
Razouski

Happy Runniversary. You’ve inspired so many of us, what a lovely update to your Lewis Carole poem. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toRazouski

Tee hee.. thanks.. I have too little time with all the new runners..but it seemed apt!

Nita49 profile image
Nita49Graduate

Ahh Dear Oldfloss 💐

Happy Runiversary 🎉

Lovely poem and thanks for all the advice and support you give.

Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2019 xx

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toNita49

Thank you so much... Happy running to you xxx

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-JGraduate

Dear Floss, our dear Floss!

Happy runiversary dear friend. Such a lovely read!

Merry Christmas H xxxxx

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toMillsie-J

Thanks you... we stick around don't we xxxx

ButtercupKid profile image
ButtercupKidGraduate

Fabulous ! You’re never old unless you choose to be x

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toButtercupKid

.. and I don't choose to be...hahahhaha xxxx

ButtercupKid profile image
ButtercupKidGraduate in reply toOldfloss

That makes two of us ! 😉

badger187 profile image
badger187Graduate

What a beautiful poem, you're so inspirational, and clearly very young at heart, with a young healthy body too!! Thank you x

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply tobadger187

Yes... Grammy behaving badly..it is fabulous! xxx

warekdavid profile image
warekdavidGraduate

Inspirational OF. Happy 3nniversarry and happy running.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply towarekdavid

Thanks You xx

Irish-John profile image
Irish-JohnGraduate

Happy Christmas to a Lovely Lady, Inspiring Runner and excellent Writer :)

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toIrish-John

Thank you lovely man.... xxxx

Gran4z profile image
Gran4zGraduate

Fabulous. This grey haired old lady echoes every sentiment. Happy running...Half marathons here we come 😍🎄

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toGran4z

Yeayayay Bring it on!

Jennypenny2 profile image
Jennypenny2

That sounds like me ,😁

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toJennypenny2

Great stuff! x

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate

Oh my goodness Oldfloss ...you are the Pam Ayers of running!! Your posts never fail to make me smile, your encouragement and posts have always kept me going...my ‘oldfloss’ bush still gives me a nod when I run passed it...on my C25k journey your ceaseless passion for running shone through every word you wrote back to me and I will ALWAYS be thankful for that because running has become a massive part of my life, something that I stuck with because someone like you believed I could do it and you want everyone to have the same love for running as you do, because you know it’s just the best thing ever...it’s me that should be thanking you...you are the backbone of this forum floss...you just don’t realise how much your constant presence means to us all xxxx I hope your Christmas is as special as you are xxx and a flippin happy happy runniversary to you my lovely friend xxxx

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toMummycav

You are so, so lovely and very kind, thank you very, very much.

One of the high spots of my running and one which still gives me huge delight , is having that bush named after me!!!

It is a privilege to be part of the forum and travel with so many folk as they find their running paths...

Your own running so far has been wonderful...

You run.. you inspire... and not simply as a runner.

Have a wonderful Christmas my friend xxxx

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate in reply toOldfloss

😘

BaddieThePirate profile image
BaddieThePirateGraduate

Love it. Your third runniversary! Keep on keeping on. Happy runniversary.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toBaddieThePirate

Thanks you.... it has gone so quickly.. and all of it has been amazing!!

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate

Congratulations on your latest runniversary! You're only as old as your latest pair of trainers....... 😀

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toJonathanP

Blimey... I am a mere Babe then...thanks you!

Beach-runner profile image
Beach-runnerGraduate

Beautiful, thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas. Claire

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toBeach-runner

Merry Christmas, Claire xxxx

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate

Oops I nearly missed this one Oldfloss and I’m so glad it appeared in the weekly email. How wonderful. And since you started your journey 3 years ago you have become such a treasure on the forums with your support and advice. So thank you. Happy runniversary and have a wonderful Christmas time. 🎄🏃‍♀️🐌🎅🏻❤️

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toDexy5

Happy Christmas to you and thank you xxx

motowngirl profile image
motowngirlGraduate

I loved reading your post. I am just 70 years young and have recently graduated from C25K. This last week I have rerun W9R3 as it keeps me going. Do you think I should carry on doing this for a few weeks before attempting to run for longer as at the moment I'm only running about 5K?

motowngirl profile image
motowngirlGraduate in reply tomotowngirl

I mean 3K!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply tomotowngirl

Congratulations and well done! Consolidation is the name of the game now.. lots of running... short and 30 minute ones... and the lovely longer, see where we get to runs. it is the slow and steady longer runs that build up stamina and strength...Mix the routes up too.. that can be really useful!

Equi-geek profile image
Equi-geekGraduate

How did I miss this a week ago? Happy runniversary Oldfloss! What a brilliant poem- thanks for sharing it again. Looking forward to many more runs in the future 🤗

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toEqui-geek

Thanks you xxxx

mafee profile image
mafeeGraduate

What a fab poem! you do the original justice!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply tomafee

Thank you x

Wimborne profile image
Wimborne

Oh Oldfloss. Such beautiful words... Happy Runniversary 💐

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toWimborne

Thank you so much!x

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