OFF the COUCH AGAIN ! HARD times... lead to GREAT moments !

[Oldfloss]

After last evening's announcement, this is an UPDATE.

We know now where we are...there has been some clarity, and each hour seems to bring more clarity.

I should have been trying my HM today...but am re-thinking this and am going to work out a route in and around my home and garden today!!

So...now we do have to re think our ideas... we do have to comply with the advice and instruction given.

Time now for thinking about what feels right for YOU within the constraints... do what you feel comfortable with and do not be hard on yourself if you are unable to keep to your normal routines, the runs as ever will wait !

Time for innovation, new ideas and taking care of ourselves and our strength and stamina

If you have any new bright ideas... please do add them to this thread...

UPDATE OVER

Morning people... and yes... how lucky are you ?

HERE I AM AGAIN!! ( Okay..maybe not lucky!)

So.. another week and another set of challenges for the UK and we runners !

So... for many of us.. the sheer delight of running outside, where and when we are able, is, certainly here in the UK and as is the case already in many other places, may be impossible.

BUT

We are doing C25K... I hear you cry... what shall we do?

Well... I have some found some ideas which may or may not help.

If we cannot run outdoors what can we do?

The first obvious one is, if you have a treadmill... you can use it.

Loads of ideas online to help you with that.

E,g,

treadmill.run/couch-to-5k-o...

But... if we have not got a treadmill what are the options for us?

There are currently fantastic headline stories of folk running Marathons on small balconies, but I feel we maybe want to aim a tad lower than that... so is it really possible for us to run inside, safely and slowly?

Ask yourself, how much space do you have, inside and or including your yard or garden...

Is there any significant clear space you could use.. a hallway or a length of pathway or lawn?

Hallways can serve the purpose if you have on of any significant length. Clear a space in your garage maybe... ?

Now , and this is important...I really do not want to start any discussion.. or argument about what or what is not running here; we are simply looking at ways which you can keep running and hopefully move on through C25K to running for 30 minutes, forgetting distance and speed, keeping everything going until the day comes when we CAN get outside again!

And we will !

So... some links... just take a look, have a smile and a giggle and see if anything springs to mind

Some may not fit the bill exactly , but may inspire you to work something out to suits yourself.

felixwong.com/2017/04/runni...

youtube.com/watch?v=RaZZU5o...(Not working as expected?)

fitnessinsideout.com/2019/0...

youtube.com/watch?v=7kbcKoT...(Not working as expected?)

So... think about running up and down stairs, if you have them ( safely) in and out of every room... round your house if you are able... time is the thing..not speed or distance.

In your garden... ? We did have a wonderful lady here, McFitty who did the whole thing in her garden !

I ran around the perimeter of my garden yesterday, inside the hedges and then around the back garden and it was half a kilometre... so... twice round.. 1K

Thing is to be innovative... make sure the children and or animals are safe and not going to get ploughed down... It may not be perfect, but it could be just the thing for keeping spirits up and having fun

Now.. some other useful tips here to add to the, what shall we do to keep moving theme...

from some of our friends here...

mountaindreamer suggests...

1. A small trampoline (about £30) designed for adults to jog on;

2. A cheaper type of over door suspension trainer from a physio site (also about £30);

3. A door frame pull up bar (about £10 - you fit screws to either side of a door frame, and it slots on to these, but is removable again).

An alternative to the door bar, from DiverIzzie

"...came with my Cayman fitness resistance bands - you pop it through the door frame just above the hinge, close door and attach band - can do loads of exercises that way! Bands are a bit pricier than some others but seem robust."

and from skysue16 ... skipping?

" Don’t need any special equipment, just a bit of rope or plastic washing line cut to the right length "

There are loads of ideas on the forums for all kinds of exercise, linked in our other posts, please,do take a look!

E.g.

healthunlocked.com/couchto5......

Do also, take a look at all our guidance posts re the virus... ignore false information from unreliable sources, listen to and please, please follow the official advice......and do take every opportunity to stay safe and stay fit.

WE are all in this TOGETHER !

Love Oldfloss

PS

If I cannot get my HM in tomorrow I may well be running round my house for a Long time!!!! x

[backintime Graduate]

Thanks OF, what a great post - depending what happens in France over the next few days, I may be running indoors (probably chased by dogs :D)

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to backintime]

Might give you a personal best.... do take care of yourself my friend xx

[linda9389 Graduate]

Good luck with the HM OF. If you're running round the garden, or round a room, maybe consider changing direction every few laps so you do't end up overusing one side of your body on the turns! Likewise if there's any sideways slope, make sure you change direction or your hips will be squonky the whole time.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to linda9389]

Squonky.... what a fabulous word...please may I use it sometimes... Not sure what tomorrow will bring but fingers crossed...

[linda9389 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Tonight's announcement sounds ominous!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to linda9389]

It does... thanks to those who won;t do as they are told...now someone will do it for them !

[linda9389 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

😥😥😥

[Irishprincess Graduate]

Fab post Floss! Lots of great ideas there. I tell you, we’ll all be super fit by the end of this 💪

Good luck for your HM tomorrow, I’ll be thinking of you and cheering you on 🏃‍♀️🙂 xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Fit? We will be in time for he nest round of Olympics... ( NOT this year !) If I don't get out tomorrow it will be here at home I think!

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

🤞🤞🏃‍♀️🙂 xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

It is gonna be home ! Good morning my friend !

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Morning floss 👋 go you! I’ve got the Pom-poms dusted and shaking and I’ll have the bubbly chilling 🥂 🏃‍♀️Xxx

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

Great post so much hard work put into it, thank you. I got reminded today about my 7min a day Core workout that we did a couple of years ago, if that will help anyone.

realfoodieclub.ovh/page13.html

I’m doing cross trainer and rebounding.

I had to laugh today went on the cross trainer with the thought of doing 35-45 min. 😂😂😂😂 15 min later I was shattered. It is a bit different to running so you know what I’m going to say

“Slow and steady” with any new exercise. 😀.

Take care everyone. Rfc x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Just fabulous ... fabulous... and thanks for that link, may I add it to the main post please? Huge well done you!!! Stay safe xxx

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Of course you can ❤️Xxxx

[mountaindreamer Graduate]

Good luck for your HM, Floss! ❤️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to mountaindreamer]

May or may not happen... but one way or another it will get done!

[mountaindreamer Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Just heard the PM’s briefing. One form of exercise allowed a day (run/walk etc). Nothing to say it can’t be a HM! ❤️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to mountaindreamer]

True..but I am not risking the walk down to the fields... there are sad to say, too many folk in the area who seem to think that none of the advice applies to them... I am this morning planning a route in and around my house and property! This could be fun! Take great care my friend..

[mountaindreamer Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Stay safe, Floss. These are strange and scary times. ❤️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to mountaindreamer]

I simply do not know what it will take for folk to realise this ! x

[mountaindreamer Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

If it’s any encouragement, they seem to have on this estate now. Even before last night’s briefing, the few people out walking were deliberately staying clear of each other. And for the first day that kids weren’t at school, I was amazed to see no groups of kids out together, and barely any kids out even with their parents. ❤️

Hopefully local police won’t yet be too low on staff to start “encouraging” the selfish people still congregating to stop.

[limberlou Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Just FaceTimed my daughter who lives in a street with lots of elderly couples ( she bought her grandparents house when it came up for sale and I suppose all those young couples gradually got older together) who have know each other for years and years. Her and her brother were indoors like they should be and she said all she could hear was people chatting and she looked out her bedroom window and the street was full of them all chatting away in groups.!!! And they are the vulnerable age groups!!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to limberlou]

I am afraid around this area it is the middle age group who think thel warnings are ...over the top...😥

[limberlou Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

They really need to do what they are told m!! For their own sakes and their families and ours

[GoogleMe Graduate in reply to mountaindreamer]

I think there kind of is as we are asked to keep our exercise to a minimum. I'll be pointing no fingers - in terms of virology it will be perfectly safe, it is more about normalising severe restriction in the hope that those who won't take the virology seriously (Short form: setting an example)

As Oldfloss says, we've had several very inventive people on the forum (I think one in China who had to exercise indoors due to air pollution) It will be tricky to stay safe - the NHS doesn't need your twisted ankle. We're thinking of our trampoline now we've missed the window to dismantle and freegle it to another family but again, will need to be careful.

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

You are amazing, thank you, i started out thinking “but we’ve only got a one bedroom flat” and ended up thinking “i can track it on my garmin” and although we are ground floor there is a set of stairs for the man upstairs to get home and we have a fairly large garden between the flats that is fenced in and only gets used to put washing on line this time of year

Yesterday in a fit of temper i cut the front lawn it took about 15 minutes and made me feel better later in the week i may start cutting the back 😀

So lots of ideas, thanks Floss and stay well and safe especially now xx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Innovative thinking...that is it... brilliant!!! I feel many of us may be surprised at how much distance and time we may be able to fit in to our runs Thanks you!

[Speedy60 Graduate]

Thank you, Oldfloss. Let's see what happens. 🤞

I'll have to go in the garage and dust off the exercise bike, I think. I started running because I found it sooo tedious.

Desperate times, desperate measures 🤷‍♀️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Speedy60]

Shake it up ..the bike becomes part of it... plan a schedule and time and have fun... very well done you!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Lovely post Floss...some great ideas here to keep up the running safely.

Reminded me of my rebounder in the garage, I will mention it to my physio to see if it's a safe option for me.

Wishing you good luck for your HM run tomorrow, I will say again though, only do what feels right...you are under no pressure to push yourself. Staying well is the most important thing.

Take care out there!

😎😊xxx🌷

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks you.. plan change this morning and I shall be working out a HM route in and around my property!

I am scheduling my exercise workouts now and adding some new fun bits in !

Do take great care of yourself and let us know how the rebounder goes... I have this wonderful image of you

[Mum22boys Graduate]

Hi Oldfloss, those 2 videos are amazing!! Thank you so much for the hard work you always put in. I was wondering only yesterday how many times I'd have to run around the garden to do 5K!! I hope you and Mr OF are keeping yourselves well and safe. I can't face going out to run, it's slightly irrational because none of us have any health issues, but I need to keep my little family safe. My eldest tonight was very sad he wasn't going to pre school at the moment, how do you explain to a 3 year old. Look after yourself and thank you once again for all the work and time you put in to help us to keep moving. Enjoy your run tomorrow, wherever it may be xx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Mum22boys]

We are good currently, thank you and welcomed , the strong action taken,finally, by the Government last evening.

I was set for a run today, but I am going to adapt my ideas and may try to work out how I can do my HM ( which was cancelled ) , in and around my property and my home

The sad thing is as you say...how do we explain to small ones... I have as you know my granddaughter...twice a week and today is the first day she will not be here... she is very bright and knows things are strange and difficult. But we are having face time story today at 11

Do take great care of yourself and let us know how you go on!

[Mum22boys Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Apologies if you have already mentioned this one but Joe Wicks is doing a PE lesson every weekday morning at 9 on his YouTube channel. We did it yesterday and believe me it's a great workout for non-kids too!!!

Enjoy story time ☺

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Mum22boys]

I did!!! Thank you, they were on their field by the frog pond, loads of tadpoles and she sat with her Dada on the slate bench..it was wonderful and she is getting a bit more used to it and was relaxed and happy!

I will add this to my next post.. I am going to compile all the useful tips from you amazing people!!! Thank you!

[Mum22boys Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

That is so lovely to hear, how much you enjoyed it shines through. We've been video calling my mum evey couple of days although my 2 just want to press all the buttons and look at themselves on the screen 🙈

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Mum22boys]

Wonderful...and I got extra time this evening..as small one wanted to say goodnight xxx

[wallruns Graduate]

Thanks for posting. Lots of good ideas to explore.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to wallruns]

Brilliant ..enjoy!

[linda9389 Graduate]

OF, can I ask what has clarified that has led you to change your mind about running the HM outside? I'm wondering if I have missed something as I thought it was OK?

[GoogleMe Graduate in reply to linda9389]

Yes, we can walk, run or cycle once a day but the full guidance says to keep it to a minimum, and to stay local.

[linda9389 Graduate in reply to GoogleMe]

OK thanks GM. I don't want to be breaking any rules

[GoogleMe Graduate in reply to linda9389]

The minimum is undefined (possibly can't sensibly be) And staying local ditto - better running streets from the house or driving up the hill a couple of miles to run in a wood where there are lots of different paths so a good chance of avoiding passing people even at 2m distance. (I shall not be running streets from my house, there were good reasons for me not to do so for the last 8 years and they haven't changed)

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to linda9389]

Not rule breaking just me.. sadly I think because folk are still ! not taking notice.. I need to have a plan B.. E.g.. our neighbours.. ( we are detached... but even so ) have their family there again this morning... two children and Mum and Dad!

My DPD deliverery man... standing twelve foot away from the porch door and three feet from me.. ! said that you would not know in some areas in the cities, that there was a lockdown. Unlike the Ocado delivery men, they are not checked before each shift with a temperature check!

I may drive to my daughter and park tomorrow and run the field, but would rather wait to see how it evolves first..I am just a tad windy and slow and steady is my mantra!

My trial, what is 1K around the garden and my outdoor space ? was interesting! x

[linda9389 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks for that Floss, I was worried I may be saying or doing the wrong thing. I have just come home from work - today's client specifically wanted me to work, I added some rules of my own!- and our streets are wayyyy quieter today. I'm not sure whether to run the field across the road or the streets. Will make the decision on the front doorstep. But for now I'm off to dig out a nice bright short sleeved t and some capris. Take care 😘

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to linda9389]

Yeayayayayy Enjoy! xxxx

[Wenderwoo Graduate]

Great post OF - I tried running round my house yesterday, which includes steps. The map on Strava looked bonkers! I’m unable to get out now after receiving the “stay at home for 12 weeks” text, but there’s plenty of videos online, and I’ve ordered a skipping rope. I might do some circuit training when the weather is good, including some house laps 😂 And I’ll probably need to do the C25K plan again when we get through this 👍

Thanks for the info - there’s lots of good ideas there! 😁

[Mum22boys Graduate in reply to Wenderwoo]

I've ordered a skipping rope too... apparently arriving in 5 weeks.. 🙄 really hope yours arrives sooner! Circuit training sound like a great plan 👍

[Wenderwoo Graduate in reply to Mum22boys]

I ordered mine a few days ago and it's been despatched and should arrive tomorrow. Since then fitness stuff sales have gone through the roof - the new loo rolls 😅

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Wenderwoo]

Brilliant.... maybe alter Strava, because it will show where you live... mine just shows photos now..

Loads of fun things to do now... I have courtesy of my daughter, discovered Disney Dancing!!! It is ace... Go you!!

[Wenderwoo Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks for the strava tip 👍

[lexi6 Graduate]

Great post Oldfloss. Good luck with your HM and from someone who lurked on this forum for months before starting C25k and did the whole programme in my living room, hall and garden can I say that anyone who is reading this and thinks because of the lockdown they have missed the opportunity to start C25k, you haven’t - now couldn’t be more perfect. You’re off the couch and you CAN do this. 💪🏻 👍 x

[Mum22boys Graduate in reply to lexi6]

This is very inspiring, thank you. I've had a quick look at the 2 videos... running on the spot could be a definite possibility! Just need to work out the technique!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Mum22boys]

Slow and steady and plenty of giggling I feel! xx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to lexi6]

Just what we want to hear!!! Brilliant, simply brilliant!

[Irish-John Graduate]

I often think of Cairokitten who did the entire programme in her living room over in Egypt, she really inspired me with her "can do" spirit

On a more sombre note however - price gouging is now rampant across the board here. I was pissed that filters for my respirator (absolutely necessary in my job) went from $7 to $35 and up, but I'm absolutely gobsmacked that an Exercise bike that was $370 in January is now $800.

A lot of Parasites showing their colors these days. And as prices rise like that, panic buying increases and a vicious cycle perpetuates.

So, I'm just going to "opt out' and buy reasonable quantities of reasonable neccesities. I've lived a long time on beans and rice in the backwaters in my time and if I have to again, at least my conscience will be clear when the old, inform and young are priced out of reasonable existence.

Thank goodness Running isn't something they can profiteer from - though I too have joked in the past about the "fortune" I've spent on shoes but I recycle the old ones into "everyday walking" ones and any over give to a charity that recycles them

Anyway - as Floss says, with a bit of pondering, we can still figure out how to keep a few steps ahead of the game

(But hobnail boots on teak Deck definitely not a great solution lol )

Stay safe y'all

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

I was trying to remember her name!

Things are so weird and yes, the parasites are out and the number of folk who imagine that none of the information and advice does not apply to them... unbelievably!!!

Lots of ideas for keeping fit and lots of fun to be had too... stay safe my friend, stay cool. and stay running... xxx

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

You too sweetheart