"One of the beautiful things about running is that it is direct and elegant. The formula is simple: put one foot in front of the other"
Well, hello, running people. Yes, another week has passed and here I am again. Full of the joys of Winterval and embracing each day as we head towards mid winter
Despite the fact that the weather at the moment is against me and I am really having to try very hard to get myself out there...I am staying positive and biding my time, although I am not getting more than a toddle in here and there!
I was going to try to get a run in at the coast this week but, STORM BARRA, had other ideas, with gusts up to 86mph on the LLyn Peninsula! As I am not a very heavy snail, Mr. OF would not let me outside... he thought I may get blown away. So back home and hoping that a better forecast for tomorrow, in order to get out, to peek at everyone's lights and decorations.
NOW!
The quotation above, I have used before and in essence, it would appear to be simple, but we all know that in real life, it is not always that simple.
I have been following your posts with real interest and some of you have had the most difficult of times over the last week or so. Illness, personal or family, mainly Covid related, injury, tricky weather, family worries and lots and lots of hard work!
I am reading your posts and replies and am grateful that I and we are able to share what is happening . Hopefully there is some support for you, here in the corner
You are still, wonderfully, managing to stay strong. You are doing what you are able to do, and when you do manage to get out there, then you are not pushing too hard, you are enjoying the freedom and the momentary release from worries as they float away ( or get blown away ) behind you!
I am, always, totally inspired by your strength.
So I just thought I would pop a reminder in here, of how important it is to keep our bodies and our minds healthy and happy, whilst we are running.
Our running legs have got a clear programme to follow, but we do need to keep the rest of our running body in trim too, and even more so in our current times, where a healthy body is going to give us another level of protection, ( alongside our vaccinations). Frightening times but we are here for each other.
I have over the years, posted a number of links and I will share one of them, but please, do, also, pop across to the Strength and Flex forum , where the amazing CBDB has a wealth of information for we runners, at whatever level. When we begin to run, we benefit so much, from other exercise on some of our rest day. Core strength and stamina work really does make a difference . Yoga links for our minds as well as our bodies and all manner of different workouts.
Rest days too are essential, and yes, I do know that many of you have precious few of them. But if you are able to find some time, however short, where you are able to just rest your mind and body in whatever way you are able, then that too, plays its part.
So....
This is my link that to my post which gives all the information on every bit of your running body... CBDB gathered it all together in one place. She is wonderful!
Many of those links are for the new runner, but they are of use to all of us, and I, still use many, many of those exercises.
You all know that I think of you as my running family, and yes, I do worry and care about you , like an Old Mother Hen... so please ,do take a look at the S and F forum.
You are your most precious asset... you need to guard it, nurture and cherish it.
Take care of yourselves and please, stay safe.
Oldfloss xx
PS
SUNDAY add-on!
I am adding this, from the Corner, as times are getting tricky. Stormy days ahead and not just the weather.
Many of you are struggling hard ( and winning), against so, so much, and there are some difficult days to come.
BUT... you are all absolutely amazing and you will come through this, not just running, but smiling too.
So, I am hoping that all those who have not been in the Corner yet are all doing okay and I am asking all of you , ( Old Mother Hen), to stay safe, and get out there, when and IF you are able, and letting you know that we are all here for you and each other.
As our wonderful IannodaTruffe always tells us, so wisely...
" Keep running, keep smiling"
Oldfloss x
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Hilarious post and picture! ...but leading up to a caution, as well. You're so sneaky! I love the post!
Well, this reminds me, although I can't run right now due to my family situation, I still must do the indoor exercises so I added that message to myself of what I have to do after this post!
By the by, Hubby is improving markedly which makes me think much of our problems were due to developing diabetes and not to the dementia. He is sleeping less, has started rummaging around in things he shouldn't (Grrr!), and has more energy. I have placed good foods in the refrigerator and on the table for those many times when he is hungry and he makes use of them. Good!
So enjoyed your post and the humor was a real delight on this winter day!
I am glad things are looking more positive and that you are feeling positive too. Thinks do seem to be improving !Glad this jogged your memory too, about the importance of exercise.. if we are unable to run, we do what we are able
Stat worm and keep up that good work. my friend
PS
I did have a phot of a hen sitting on mu daughter's shoulder, but she wouldn't let me use it! The hens also stay inside at the moment.. avian flu around again! But, they dislike snow anyway , so not too much of a problem!
And I’d course over at the S&F forum we have a seasonal workout challenge happening …. Right now!! 🌲🎄💪 healthunlocked.com/strength...
(And love the pic of the chicken! We used to have a chicken refusing to use her coop and slept in our cherry tree just outside of our front door, guarding everyone coming in and out of the house! )
I did yoga for the better part of 20 years and it only stopped when the school I attended closed due to covid restrictions. Every cloud has its silver lining though, and closure was the reason I started on C25k, to do something healthy which wasn’t restricted.
I will get back to yoga in time, gods willing, but I’ve been enthralled by demonstrations of Qigong Techniques lately, namely by Brother Insight, a monk originally from Vietnam, now at Blue Cliff Monastery.
As he works on his own acupressure points by tapping and massaging, he explains: this strengthens heart and lungs ( tapping his shoulder joints), or this will help you walk further without tiring (tapping up and down his hips, knees and ankles). I must try it sometime but just sitting and watching him work elicits a feeling of calming the mind - he often practices in nature: the monastery garden, in the woods, by the sea, or on a mountain. He can be googled on Youtube.
Thanks you for this, you send some great links... I am going to take a look, it sounds really interesting. My yoga has taken a bit of a back seat right now and I think I need to focus more on it !
Thank you Oldfloss it is truly wonderful to have you in our corner, this forum is great, I am a new runner and the help and advice that is shared is truly brilliant. throughout everybody's ups and downs there is always support. So thank you all and let's all help each other and share xx
It is good to have you here, and yes, so much support for us at all different levels. We need that with every aspect of our runs, and being able to share what is going on, what works. what doesn't and if there are any issues, is a great help
Not much to report here! Apart from a couple of energetic walks with the dog, the cold, wet and dark has rather halted my running this week! Friday morning it is 🙏
Walks are good... my exercise this morning was clambering around trees and shrubs putting outdoor lights on them; bitterly cold too. Well done you on getting out! I am Friday too I hope! x
I have been "stormed off" for the second week. Only managed 2 last week, and today was to be my first this week 😖. Oh no, my route was flooded. Not to be deterred I just did some repeats of roads where I live. I hated it, it's got some horrible steep inclines. I'll just do 3k said my gremlin. You'll do 5 said my stronger self. 5.10km, it wasn't quick, and it wasn't pretty, but it was done. ❤
Good morning like everyone it seems my running has been less than I would like. Work, shopping, children, elderly mother, the house to decorate and the dark December days all take up my time.However I am awake, the day is brightening, I can hear the birds and no one is asking me for anything so my running shoes are primed and I shall do my second run of the week.
Happy Sunday to you, you awesome person!!!!Wow! You are really handling an awful lot right now and yet, here you are! Still standing and still running, as and when you are able.
Huge well done to you and I hope the run goes well!
Thank you so much I nearly cried at your reply thank you for your kind words.Here I am back from 4.2k felt great to begin then a bit leaden towards the end but my heart was singing along with the birds.🤣
It just feels so good to run- well lumber along - in my head I’m gliding like a gazelle in reality I’m more like a donkey but hey who cares 😊🏃♀️
I live in the east of the country so reckoned I could get out on Tuesday morning before Storm Barra reached us, which I did. By the time I'd finished my warm up exercises and donned my layers, I was desperate to get outside in the cold 😆 bit breezy but ok. By the time I got back tho the wind was really picking up and driving the rain in. So the dogs missed out 😕 one was really pleased as he hates cold, wind and rain, the other one is still cross with me 😂 Thank you for the link, I'll have a good look at these.
Out for a run tomorrow morning, then off with hubby to Chatsworth for their Christmas fair. Meeting friends there so looking forward to that. Went to Lincoln Christmas Market on Saturday. Good grief, the weather was just awful. I was particularly concerned the driving rain would dilute my mulled wine 😉 🙃
This sounds great...and I am glad that you did get an outside blow.. we had none of the wind forecast on our journey to Wales, but at the coast... wow! Poor dogs,, i guess there will be a few days where they miss out.Chatsworth sounds great.. not far from me Weather is good there today, no rain forecast until later afternoon...enjoy! A run first to get everything going... wonderful!
Hey OF, great post thanks. Your link & CBDB’s gathering of information is very timely- no outdoor running or cycling in the cold for me until I recover from a chesty cold.... but I will be back ASAP!! 😄
Love the Chuck Oldfloss! Sadly I don’t have any running to report this week. I was supposed to be volunteering at Parkrun last week but got pinged on Saturday by the cursed test and trace - cue upset call to Run Director (UpTheStanley) to say I would have to organise a PCR instead😢! Happily that was all OK. A touch of vertigo on Sunday kept me at home but the week got better on Wednesday with a trip to see the lights at RHS Wisley with Dexy5 and UpTheStanley which was great. And today some friends came down and we watched HMS Queen Elizabeth come in after her Far East deployment as their son is onboard. Photo attached to show your taxes at work, we felt very sorry for the crew all lined up on deck - it was sooo cold!
HMS Queen Elizabeth coming into Portsmouth harbour.
So glad your test was clear.. phew! Lovely to get out too with Dexy and UTS ...must have been quite a site.!That is a heck of a photograph and it seems the excitement of this week, will set you up for the runs to come!
Take care and we will watch for your posts! X
PS
The poor hens are all confined to barracks currently because of the Avian flu scare! But,as they dislike rain and snow anyway...they are happy enough
Yet another house has fallen through, but hopefully this next one will be ok, the vendors have somewhere to go, our buyers are still happy to proceed.
The only thing is this bungalow needs a lot of work, whereas the other one was ready to move into.
Obviously it was not meant to be.
Hubby very depressed diagnosed with diabetes, tests for bowel cancer, not being able to do anything, surrounded by packing boxes, I keep trying to help him stay positive.
I have not been out on a run for 2 weeks to cold windy and wet, but I have managed to do 2 runs at the gym on the treadmill both 5ks.
Blimey his depression must be rubbing off on me cant even be bothered to go my usual 4 times.
I have taken the dog out each morning though albeit only 30 mins walk she is lazy too she just likes to run on the park which is only 5 mins walk away so its been an effort to make her go a little further.
Sorry for the miserable post just not feeling myself, but reading everyone else s achievement s lifts me
You know, I read some replies here and I feel so humbled. Folk like you handling so many issues and yet still staying positive and getting out for a short run, walk, or cycle and getting onto a treadmill too !I have not even made it to my studio to my cross-trainer this week!
No need to apologise for your post, this is all about us and our running and how life impacts on that, and here is where we share it.
What a time you have had and house moving alone is so stressful, let alone at this time ! Boxes everywhere and the interminable waiting!!
Tell your husband from me and Mr. OF.. Diabetes really is not what it was. My husband was diagnosed Type 2 a lot of years ago and there is so much support out there , and information too. We eat well and we live life to the full., despite the ups and downs.
Gosh how lucky we are to have all these tests. I remember earlier this year.. Covid injections... Bowel Cancer tests ( routine), Mammogram and then on top of that Shingles injection...oh the joys of being over 70! Tell him chin up!!
( Please do PM me if you want to chat about stuff).
You are doing what you are able to at this time... the dog and you are getting 30 minutes.. really, really well done you!
This will pass... and the runs, as we all know are waiting for us. Do take care and we are here! x
Hello again OF! I can’t believe where this week’s gone, it’s scary 😊. I’m pleased you didn’t go out in those crazy winds, who’s to know, you may well have been blown to Madeira or some such and then where would we be?
I so agree with what you say. So many things can conspire against us, and then throw in some pretty dastardly weather, and things get doubly difficult!
I’ve realised that when it comes to mojo, it is something that has to be nurtured and taken care of, just like our hamstrings or knees. I’m finding that if I concentrate on being better rounded I tend to have more mojo, which sounds very obvious in black and white, but can be quite hard to do. I guess what I’m trying to say is that, for me anyway, mojo doesn’t have to be this nebulous thing floating around in the ether, rather a physical thing that can be improved upon with the right care. Hope I’m not sounding too mad here 🤣.
So more stretching, resting, rolling, more reading, more strength, and most importantly, being kinder to oneself.
Mind you, a nice sunny day and not having to get up at daft o’clock really helps too! And just letting our cares fall away as we run so our head clears just for that little while. Can’t beat it 😊.
Thank you again for an excellent catch-up corner. All the best 🏃♀️🎄❄️☀️🧑🎄.
Time is whizzing by, it really is! I am just doing what I can! Stuff gets in the way... but the runs will wait!I think you may be right on the Mojo! Yes... focus on improvement and nurture it .. I think is see what you are getting at.
All of the exercise and the rest and being kind... to ourselves, will give us the strength to effect that improvement too.
Getting out and letting the run take us... yes... I am hoping to do just that tomorrow before the rain arrives. Take my Mojo and show it the fields...
Ooo I like that, I've never thought about the old mojo in that way. I can see how viewing health and wellbeing, and running, as one whole would really help. I know there's overlaps but still very much viewed each part separately 🙂
Thanks everyone, love reading all your thoughts and kindness.We got out for 2 runs on Thurs and saturday, repeating week 4. Struggled to motivate but I knew I'd kick myself if I didn't as it would be too easy just to give up here with a busy few weeks with the kids ahead, plus the weather.
But the runs were positive and I do think they are so good for my mental health too, which definitely needs it's nurturing... When my head is good I am more able to think clearly and be patient with all 4 little monsters shouting at once, if I havnt nurtured it I'll more likely feel panic! So if runs make for patience then everyone wins
I've never done any yoga or anything else, but I've been told off for not doing enough for myself more than once. Somehow we always seem to give everything of ourselves up for the children! It's a season, but I'm happy to be shaping my own next season too. I'll take a look at the links now x
YES! Gottostartsomewhere Just fantastic... it is so, so hard, and working flat out with small ones!!!! They are so much of a glorious but exhausting handful . I remember my Reception/Y1class of 32 of them well !Getting some manner of relief and time to lose about of the stresses and strains, mental as well as physical is so, so important.
It is something I feel most of us do, when we forget about us; which is why we do have to try to be kind to ourselves... for US, not just for others. I was guilty of this October last year, and am still fighting back from that!
Just do what you are able.. you got two runs in, wonderful and those runs will wait for you and your plans for the New Year!
I am in complete awe of your strength and your determination HUGE well done! x
Hello Oldfloss, I’ve popped into your corner for a catch up and reading your lovely post then seeing what everyone is dealing with and getting through is amazing, makes my woes seem very small and apparently even they have left home now, after a very enjoyable run yesterday I baked brownies for the first time ever and surprised myself. I also had arrive an order of one of those things you heat in the microwave and wrap around your neck, my word, all neck pain ran away I feel amazing 🤩 I’m going to wrap it round Willows knee in a minute 😀Wishing everyone a good week and better running or relaxing days leading up to Christmas 🎄
As always your posts make me smile as well as think so thank you
I feel the same... my woes pale into insignificance compared with folks on here and their real issues.
Brownies... very yummy... and a wheat pillow... they are just great, neck, knees and the small of an aching back ! Sigh,,,I am sure Willow will appreciate the ministrations. You are having some excellent runs right now... well done both!
Hi OldFloss, I'm afraid I've been missing again 🙈 long list of things going on, including inflicting myself to a booster jab and flu jab last week. So... I checked the calendar and (ashamed) it's been nearly 7 weeks since I last ran. And the problem I now have is I don't know what my next run should be... the last run I did was week 8 run 1. I'm not too worried about my fitness level but I am a competitive soul ny nature and having been our for a year with injury I don't want to push myself... can you tell I'm having a crisis of confidence or just over thinking it 🙈 I also like a plan..... or am I just procrastinating 🤔
Hi there... glad you are boostered and flu jabbed! Hope the boys are okay and small one is fully recovered too!I got out this morning after 4 weeks off... and just did a gentle 2K... no pressure and I could have done more...but I was very wet as it was pouring!
If I were you... I might think.. Week 7... gentle repeat... get everything moving and just see how if feels...then move on.
No need to push... use it as a comeback... and enjoy Week 8 with confidence
Yes small one fully recovered thank you 😊 Well done you for getting out. I do love a run in the rain, I bet you enjoyed being back out there.
I fully intend to run tomorrow evening. Although I do say that most Sunday evenings... since my dad was diagnosed with alzheimers I have been using most of my running time to get my mum out in an evening walking to give her some head space and keep herself fit mentally and physically.
If I do get out I think I'll aim for 20 minutes... and then if that's ok maybe extend to the 25 minutes of week 7... but if only make 20 minutes it'll just be good to be back out.
Oh and I have this evening signed up to the new 30 day yoga challenge for January so looking forward to that 😊
I really did enjoy it... short and sweet.. and wet!I am glad all is well with the boys and that you are helping Mum to have some time. It is hard... we all need that space x
I think your idea for a short jogette is perfect... your body will tell you if it is happy or not.
The Yoga challenge will be good too... time to relax body and mind x
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Running In the Rain Quest week 2 - please feel free to join. 🐳☂️🌂🕶
I am off the couch week 2 - Feel free to join.
Week 3, run 2 (waves shyly from the corner). 
