Well.
Hard to believe though it is, this is the last week of the January Catch -Up!
February Catch-Up Corner opens up next Tuesday! I am hoping we will all be there 
So...here I am, relaxing and I am reflecting and recharging.
I am finishing this month on a positive note. Inspired by so, so many of you, and your running exploits on C25K, I have managed to keep on track with the Resolution I made at the beginning of the month. Doing what I was able to, and remaining, as ever, slow and steady. Hopefully I will complete Red January next Monday, and be ready to move into the next month, strong and with confidence.
I haven't got as many runs in this month, as I would have liked to; wind and weather and life generally, have affected the opportunities. But I have exercised, yoga-d and walked and worked out. And.... TODAY... I did have another GLORIOUS run in Derbyshire. Blue sky, sunshine and a much milder temperature. It was super...
BUT... that has not been the best bit of this month... the best bit has been that I reached 5K again for the first time since last September. Mental and physical issues since October 2020 have taken a toll and building back has been so slow... but I got there...Not with speed, and not a huge amount of style...but with a steady plod at MY happy pace and I did it. I was as thrilled on Sunday, as when I first graduated on a cold wet winter evening in 2015...
This is not said in a boasting way...it is intended just to let you know that wherever you are on this programme new runners, repeaters or old graduate friends...you can do this. You can reach your goals.
It may be difficult. You have family commitments, you have work, you have illness and injury and you have this constant, ongoing worry, that every single one of us, is trying to learn to live with.
But you can do this. In your own way, in your own time and knowing that you have the support of every single person on the forum.
You show, through your posts and replies your strength, determination and motivation. You support each other in so many ways. Your strengths transfer to others and they in turn pass that strength on .
I have a favourite quotation.
"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."
We all know, that in reality it is not as simple as that...but if we hold that thought when we are able to run....then maybe we will run with lighter steps and an even lighter heart.
Enough of my ramblings.... What a month we have had, and what an absolute joy to share it with each other too. Thank you !
Well done all of you...Safe happy running through the next few days, and let us know how it goes, please!!!
Oldfloss!
PS
For those on the Injury Couch, there are some really comfy cushions here too xx
What a lovely inspirational post 👍🤗And congratulations on regaining your 5k 🎇🍾🏅
I love these forums because by reading other people's running ups and downs it makes me know there's always a way back if it doesn't go quite the way you hoped or expected. And there'll be plenty of people to encourage, cheer, advise and congratulate you along the way.
I would never have kept going without them and all my lovely VRBs 🤗🤗
Thank you!You are so right... what would we do without our virtual running friends? Reading other folks' replies as you say, really does help.
In these uncertain times, things can happen that change our plans and upend us and it would be all too easy to give up; but our friends here won't let that happen.
Well done you, on all your running activities and thank you for popping in here to share your time with us xx