OFF the COUCH...Time to relax and reflect and run when we are able :)

[Oldfloss]

Well... I am not completely sure where are in space or time... it has taken me a while...but here I am again. Hello everyone

We are moving into the fourth week of lockdown... and all that means for us.

People are really beginning to find their own ways of dealing with the current situation and finding some terrifically innovative ways of continuing to exercise, indoors as well as out!

I am not sure about you folk, but I do stay, certainly for most of the time very positive, however, I do have the occasional blip. This is usually when I read something, hear something or see something on the media which settles in my head and niggles away for a while.

I deal with this in my own ways, exercise being a real help as ever, but also I use other techniques too.

This is for all of us, an anxious time and however relaxed and chilled we are normally, it may not be as easy right now to just get out and run when we need to, and those feelings of anxiety do have a habit of building up; add to that, worries about family and children or older relatives and I know, I sometimes feel very twitchy!

This is, also, connected with our running routines. Many of us do forget that rest, and relaxation do form an integral part of our running.

From C25K onwards, rest days are so important for our physical body, to repair and renew...some strength and stamina work yes... but also, there needs to be some real rest days where we do things which calm our souls and rest our bodies.

So, here are some links which I do hope you may find useful, and maybe are able to incorporate into your exercise regime...

I have used square breathing a lot in past years... I fund this link which demonstrates how to do it Very relaxing ! Useful for children apparently too!

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

Some good ideas here too;

cntw.nhs.uk/resource-librar...

Different ideas..

thesf.org.uk/visualisation-...

This is worth reading too... some good tips...

tinybuddha.com/blog/21-ways...

And... when we are so relaxed that we are almost horizontal.... here is an NHS Sofa work out... and no that does not mean lying on the couch again!

nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/g...

So.... a few ideas there... let us know what you are all up to please, and what ideas you have to stay stress free, during these very strange times

Oldfloss xxx

[Hidden]

Brilliant oldF super informative 👍👍

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks you xxx

[linda9389 Graduate]

I just need to find time to look at these links ... hmmm, maybe if stopped poring over my newsfeed and reading the same stuff over and over again 🤔

Your links look altogether more wholesome and constructive and I have now made that connection in my mind - next time I find myself at my news feed, I'm going to head back here and click one of your links instead. Many thanks as always OF x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to linda9389]

Forget newsfeed..check first thing in the morning..then early evening. Any other way is the road to madness...for me anyway...

Go you xxx

[linda9389 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

That explains such a lot 🤪🤪🤪 ... but you make it sound as if I can be saved 😍👍

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Good that you are safe and well Floss, I had a look at some of the links for exercising at home, I might try a few out through time.

There are now so many YouTube exercise videos that have come out over the last month, the most famous of them is Joe Wicks, the body coach, he's been on the TV in most countries in the world, I go along with those on a Monday and Thursday at 9 am, I go my 5K runs on a Wednesday and on a Saturday I run a "Virtual 5K parkrun", at the time that parkruns are held on a Saturday, 9.30 in Scotland and Ireland, 9 o'clock in England and Wales, I notice also that some other's on C25K and B210K are starting that as well.

I hope you had a great Easter.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Loads out there...but JW is not for me...I prefer my own sources xxxx

[Nymahchai Graduate]

Lovely helpful post as ever. Glad you are well and feeling grounded with techniques to calm the soul.

I need to follow the links in slower time thank you 😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Nymahchai]

Take it slow and steady...we will get there xxxx

[Nymahchai Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Yes we are fine and being careful and mindful. Yes we will get there 😘

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Nymahchai]

We certainly will xx

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

Some great links there Oldfloss. 👍

I have had my down days too recently (as you know). I spent a few days restricting my time online (especially too much news) and rediscovered a love for yoga, which I hadn't done for about 25 years!! ☺️

I have been doing 'Yoga with Adriene' on YouTube every day since! Just wonderful and a great compliment to my running!🏃‍♀️Links below if anyone tempted!🙂

youtu.be/v7AYKMP6rOE(Not working as expected?)

youtu.be/0hTllAb4XGg(Not working as expected?)

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Sandraj39]

Good stuff..the news is so hard to take, too many times...thank you for the links too xx

[lexi6 Graduate in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandra for posting these I did yoga for beginners today and tomorrow is runners yoga. Love her. 😊

[Jalapenolover101 Graduate]

Just popped on to see ......... don’t know what!? Just to see.......

It’s so comforting and familiar to see one of your posts! Thanks for that 👍😊

It’s an awful time, indeed. I’m unsure of the day, time and even month at the moment 🙄😉

Thanks for the links. I’m keeping busy in the garden ( feeling blessed I’ve got one) I’m trying to run..... once every 10 days seems to be all my unmotivated body will do!

It definitely needs to to more though as it’s also decided it likes chocolate biscuits!!!

Take care Oldfloss Jalapenolover101 xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Jalapenolover101]

We do get lost in the weeks! I am finding the time is whizzing along...doing garden projects...like you...counting our blessings that we have one...and other stuff!

I know you ran too...comfy shoes!

You take care and enjoy the sunshine xx

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

Hi Floss I am like you on the whole feeling positive and facing forward with the odd blip. I have built up to 25 mins on the cross trainer but it is very hard work. I am now seriously thinking about a treadmill, mainly for walks with a few runs a week. I need to be able to shut off completely for an hour and headphones and a treadmill will help with that. Stay safe and look after yourself. Rfc x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Glad to hear you are doing okay...Mr OF and I find the cross trainer and the treadmill very helpful...

He uses the treadmill for walking only...I am building up speed on my running on it, as it is still a fairly new one

.my old one was a bit dated.

The elliptical is so good for cardio though...

Maybe take a look on some sites where folk are selling them?

Go you anyway and stay safe xx

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you. MrRfc wants to do some walking but I have been looking around and everywhere is sold out or long waiting lists. I will keep looking. Take care Rfc xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

gumtree.com/treadmills

Maybe some near you?

[mrrun Graduate]

I'm trying to switch off as much as possible, ignoring the news headlines on my phone (I've not watched tv for the past 4 years, don't ask..). Physical activity for me is crucial, now more than ever. Running, cross training, stretching and martial arts all spread across a week. Stay well and safe Oldfloss!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to mrrun]

Thanks you.. I watch am.. and pm.. just to keep up! Garden trail running for me is fun and interesting!

You sound to be in control my friend! Stay safe!

[davelinks Graduate]

Damn! tapped the back button which deleted my unfinished report! Hey ho!

Bet there's a few on here who have also done that, so annoying! 😆

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to davelinks]

Noooooo... Hope all is well with you two!!!!

[Roxdog Graduate]

Thank you!

[Jalapenolover101 Graduate]

Feeling much better tonight, I’m planning on running tomorrow. If it doesn’t happen I won’t beat myself up, if I get out there, brilliant 👍

I think it’s important at the moment to only do what you feel you can do.

So sorry about your mega running plan! Was it a half?

Anyway take care of yourself! 🌶x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Jalapenolover101]

Hope you get out there.... just go with the flow.. that is the thing

[davelinks Graduate]

Great Post! as usual..

We are fine floss..

Again, I will attempt to remember the report I was writing yesterday before I inadvertently deleted it.. Grrr..

Me and Slinky did w6r3 yesterday in the lovely sunshine, actually did just under 6k with the walking to and from home. Anyway, Slinkys knee pain & swelling has now subsided and tells me it feels fine, so off we go, back after over a weeks break, and having had a longer walk to get our start point felt ready to run and soon settled into it and my niggly achilles tendon discomfort soon faded away, I may need to work on my calves more, as they feel a touch tight.

Slinky kept looking at her watch and I told her not to, as it can make time drag.

But the time seemed to melt away quickly and Slinky told me Laura said we are halfway, I was slightly surprised, moving on down the lane, there are still no horses in the field, seems they are in lockdown as well, but there's a lady looking around the same age as us on crutches and she stopped to move aside to make a tad more room to let us keep going, how lovely! we made careful progress pass her smiling approving face and we smiled back and I gave the thumbs up.

We got to the end of the lane and turned around and Slinky shouted 5 mins to go and I said to her I think I'll make that with a laugh.. We went to pass the lady with crutches again, and I was thinking she will be fed up with us wanting to pass again, doesn't seem good for social distancing I know, but there was just enough room, taking care.

So Slinky again called out 1minute! and I upped the pace, Slinky stayed back as she was watching her knee, but all was fine, and then she called time, I made out I hadn't heard her and carried on for another 5secs as a wind up, she knows I'm profoundly deaf in one ear and gets concerned I haven't heard an instruction, but I always hear when the runs finished.. 😁

As I came down to a walk I thought how lucky we are even with our niggles that we are lucky to be able to run at all and for 25mins as well, where the lady on crutches cannot, and I wondered what her medical condition is, MS?🤔 I didn't like to ask..

Again, how lucky we are!

and we thoroughly enjoyed the run, even just to get outside for some excercise during this strange time, where we were feeling some anxiety, cabin fever I suppose.. So the run cheered us up some.. 😊

I'm priveledged to have a garden, but don't feel it's big enough to run around, neighbours may think I'm nuts! (probably not far wrong!) 😂 but the neigh bour just over the back from me runs on a treadmill in his garage and I've just started talking to him over the fence which I enjoyed, as he is a school caretaker still working as some special needs kids are still in school and his school is right on a common where a Parkrun takes place which I have done a number of times, and so has he, so things in common on the common!

😁

Sorry about the ramble,

Looking forward to w7..

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to davelinks]

Absolutely fantastic and really great to know you are out there..and Slinky is too!!

You seem to have a good route..and I am sure the lady in crutches realised what you were about

I run in the garden and don't care what folk think ....🤣🏃‍♀️

Your friend over the fence...selfless...so many people working to keep us and the country going..

Keep it up my friend...slow and steady..and a huge well done and hug to Slinky xxx

[lexi6 Graduate]

Thanks for posting this OF and taking the time to research and post these links, hope that you and Mr OF are doing OK. Had a few wobbles myself, but finding daily exercise is really helping. I’m now up to day 25 of Adriene’s yoga (its pillow and blanket time tomorrow) so there’s the relaxing part taken care of, I’m doing fast paced inside walking videos on my rest days, have run 5k in my living room and run round my garden and driveway. I keep reminding myself that this won’t last forever, just have to make the best of it, but how fortunate to be able to come here and get all this support. Thank you admins for all the work you do. 🥰

Read today about the 99 year old WW2 veteran who has raised £5 million for NHS walking a 100 laps of his garden with his walker before he turns 100 at the end of the month, amazing. ❤️x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to lexi6]

Captain Tom..he truly is...just amazing!

Yes..these strange times do have a habit of sometimes upending us.

But..you are on track and you are getting a super routine going.

I am doing theHolly Dolke indoor walking and garden running too...and painting for me this afternoon will be a relaxation time.

We all are here to support each other, run together and come through together...and we will ! 🐌🙂🏃‍♀️