Hello again everyone and yes, unbelievably, it is FEBRUARY!
Where on earth did January go to? In a blink, for me certainly.
I know that you all had a heck of a month and some of you had SO much to contend with.
But, as ever, despite all the setbacks and stumbling blocks and pitfalls and whatever else life threw at you, you got out there and you ran; or walked; or exercised in some way.
If you simply could not get out there, did you moan, complain , give up for ever?
No, you eased off, you accepted that the runs would wait. They would still be there when you were ready, and you did, what you were able to
You are all absolutely inspirational!
I managed to hold that thought, too, ( especially that runs would wait ), and my January was successful. RED January done, sponsor target doubled, with a few decent runs, and a heck of a lot of strength and stamina work, and dance too! The strength work really does pay off, at ALL levels.
This month, I am hoping to see you here in the corner sharing your runs and giving us your experiences.
If you are a new runner, on the C25K programme, at whatever level, you are very, very welcome . There is plenty of room here to sit a while and add your thoughts
Old friends too, we would love you to join us
Please do check out the first Catch-Up post way back in November, which explains what this is all about
I'd signed up to a Garmin 10Kaplan but have abandoned it on day 1 in favour of Juju's magic one. It will be 2 months tho! Red January was 90% successful for me, especially the swimming element. I've had problems with my knee since taking a tumble last June and nothing has helped it's flexibility as swimming loads for the last 4 weeks. Thank you so much for putting the challenge of doing something different out there. I might not have joined the gym otherwise. Question.... How not to become a gym addict??
A knee issue can be a real setback... and can be a long time healing too. It is really great that your swimming is so helpful. Non -load bearing too!Mixing it up can be a real bonus, I have found this out, first hand whilst having some enforced days in during Red January. ( A walk concert was most exciting... I walked for 2 miles, all done in my studio)!
You were probably in the best place, in the swimming pool. certainly if you had bad weather.
I don't think you will become addicted, once the days lengthen and Spring is moving a little faster towards us.
I am starting the Magic Plan again this week... so we could keep each other going on that
Huge well done to you ! I shall watch for your 10K posts across on Bridge
As promised I kicked the gremlins aside and made it out of the door in my running gear today. It wasn't as cold as I feared, and after an extended warm up walk the running began...and it was fine and I didn't need to stop because I couldn't breathe. A nice little distance tucked away, and that lovely proud feeling as I warmed down. My running year has begun at last!
Totally get the Body uncomfortable, Mind exultant thing after an almost 4 month break myself.Restarted c25k just before Christmas currently on week7 and loving it
We all fall into that trap at some point. It is called, being human. So good to see you and to know that the body may feel weak, but the mind is strong!We shall be watching out for your posts x
Thank you. I enjoyed Red January, and I did really enjoy some me ( for me), exercise routines) !!
Hello Oldfloss , I’ve been looking forward to this all week! Huge congratulations on finishing RED January. 🤗 You’re right - where did January go? I can’t help but not feel any better or more improved than I did when I started on Jan 1st, but as a month has now passed where I’ve ran three times a week, I must be fitter or healthier, right?!
Hello !!! Your cushion was waiting for you and here you are. Yes, this year has just got off to a head start! We need to plan some satisfying tactics to help us keep up with it.
I am delighted that you have got out and run for three times a week !!! Just fantastic and I am in awe!
In answer to your question YES!!!
Fitter, healthier and that is both mentally and physically too.
You are off to a super start and I am looking forward to trying ! to keep up with you.
Hello Oldfloss! I am that bunny 🐰 as we speak 🤣, feet up, telly on, OH going out this evening to watch some football, BLISS! While I remember I want to say thank you for inspiring me a while back to stop and take photos on my runs, the longer ones anyway. I use them as my phone screen saver to remind me of where I’ve been, and it’s quite a nice boost to see them.
Well, all is fairly good here running wise, I just need to stretch a bit more, so maybe I will have to get my backside off the couch this evening. I am so impressed with your RED January, way to go! For some reason the idea of February seems a bit less brutal than Jan, maybe because it’s a short month and the days are very gradually getting longer. We can only do what we can do though, but just try to do it positively.
I ventured along a new bit of route last week that apparently has an old Iron Age hill fort if you look hard enough over a low stone wall. Well, I didn’t see it, probably because I was a bit out of puff, but I shall venture out there again tomorrow and see if I have any better luck! If the hill doesn’t get me that is.
I keep saying I’ll have another go at a HM soon, but I have a real mental block with it - 10 miles I’m fine with, but that extra 5k just floors me and the last time I did it was not a pleasant experience. So maybe Feb will be the month.
That sounds sooooo cosy, and I have to admit, last evening I was curled up also; very weary.
I am really liking your attitude to moving on and dealing with the times when we simply cannot do what we would like to do exercise-wise.
Many of us are not good at being kind, to ourselves.
Your new routes sounds really exciting ! I should love to see that.
Is it a hilly route and does that make the going much harder for you? I used to find hill work so hard, but now, as the years have passed, I use them for all sorts.. and can move faster up some hills, than I do on the flat!
Do, do, think about that HM... it is daunting when we first think of it, but when we begin the training, just as 5K and 10K were within our reach, so it is with a HM. You know how you felt when you hit 10miles? Well, when you do that HM... wow!!!!
You can do this.
A sound plan and the support you will find on the Marathon and HM forum will be invaluable. I did my first HM at 69. Slow and steady and totally amazing.
Now, I am just delighted to have got back to 5K and looking forward to 10K, which to me right now, sounds as daunting as that last 5K for you!!!!
Stretching and core strength work will be very necessary and any that you do, will stand you in such good stead and the links and ideas on the S and F forum are amazing,
CBDB has got so many great supportive ideas on there
Photographically logging your routes too, is so good, well done you for doing that. These are memories of all our running, to be tucked away ,and are great to look back on as the year begins to close in again.
Huge well done you on all your activities. I look forward to a photograph of that hill fort? x
A bit of TLC for you and small one too, that sounds perfect, and yes, that bunny is very cute.I am fighting the urge to get a rescue rabbit of my own... I am away in Wales often after March, and I don't really think my bunny would travel that well?
Strengthening the muscles and working on your stamina too. ( although you will have plenty of that, with the two youngsters), will stand you in very good stead.
I do hope you get out for your run and I do know how much you are enjoying those sessions on ZOOM. Ain't technology wonderful?
Let us know how your run goes please? We will be here! x
Thanks Oldfloss. Technology is fantastic. I meditated with my friend to the sound of these wonderful exotic birds. Was amazing, felt like I was in Sri Lanka mysef 🧘🏻♀️.The strengthening exercise are all to help with my running so really beneficial.
I got out this morning at 7:30am for a run and loved it.Been a while since I have got out early.
Took daughter straight to school not long after I got home. So had a lovely red face! I wore that red face with pride ! 😀 xx
"So... the fire is lit, the cushions are plumped up... a few new cushion covers too... and the door is ajar." I love it! I have kept to my muscle exercise and increased it slightly. I'm pledging to keep it up although I do feel like that white rabbit!
Huge well done you. You are doing so well and I know it can be very tricky for you. Keep up those exercises, however much or little we do is all worthwhile.
Your cushion is here and always waiting for you and if sometimes you feel like that rabbit? Goodness, you are entitled. Being kind to you, is paramount x
Hello Floss and everyone else in the corner. What a lovely cosy new cushion cover - looks exactly like a bunny! 😁It was my second session at my running group c25k this morning (wk 3) and it doesn't match with the nhs app. So on a sunny, windy morning we played silly games and then did two 4 minutes runs with a 2 minute walk in between. I was struggling at the end of the first run, but the second run was fine.
My hip flexor is still achey. The running actually improved it. I think the culprit might be my mattress, which is only 2 years old 🤨
Hello there, and what a great time you have been having! Your running group sounds to be lots of fun... well done you on those runs.I am sure that you will find everything feeling easier as your hip flexor becomes more comfortable.
The right mattress ? So tricky, but yes, I think you could be right; we relax in sleep and need the correct support.
Looking forward to your posts and replies as we move forward. Well done you!
A big welcome to February and everyone in the corner. Firstly a heartfelt thank you for checking up on me in January and giving me the nudge to get out of the door. I ran 3 times last week and again today. 2 sessions of yoga in the last week as well. Not setting any specific goals other than just to do what I can. Can I ask what strengthening exercises you do? Do you follow a particular programme? I love the yoga and that definitely helps strengthening wise but just wondered if you had any other tried and trusted methods?
Here's to a good February and noticing ever more signs that Spring is on it's way. I'm thankful to the last 2 years for making me notice much more the changes of the seasons as I run and walk.
Yeay!!! That sounds just great, really well done you!
You have done and are doing absolutely wonderfully. You are mixing things up and getting runs in and also, are aware of accepting that you cannot do everything!
I follow a familiar and trusted routine for my strength and stamina work and I will PM you those links. It works for me, but may not work for you ( I am an old lady
Mine tend for the daily routines to be short and sweet,,, but I have longer ones for designated times too.
There are also some great ideas on the Strength and Flex forum too. CBDB is doing a terrific job there of keeping us all moving!
I really look forward to watching how you move forward as the month goes on xxx
There is a group of us following the YWA monthly calendars, which I remember you doing at some point back.
But over the last 12 months we gathered quite a few fitness plans and options, all accessible through our topic folders healthunlocked.com/strength...
I think you might also like Pilates, and I think I am gearing up to do a 30 day Pilates journey later this year which I will share!
Brilliant to read you’re back posting about your runs! I am gearing up to get off the IC so I’m getting my inspiration by reading about everyone else running ! 👏👏👍🏽
Thank you Oldfloss. I love coming to cosy up in your catch up corner, especially as I find the grey days at this time of year quite a challenge. It’s good to know the fire is lit and the cushions are plumped up and ready for settling down for a natter. Catch up wise, hmm 🤔
🏃♀️ running is going okay, despite an ankle twang, so I’m in week 3 now on the Magic Plan.
Yoga 🧘🏼♀️, double hmm 🤔 🤔, I’m afraid, so I’m moving Adriene’s FWFG MOVE from January into February as I never really got started. Better late to the party than never!
Uh oh, ankle twang, but all okay? That is good. Week 3 of Magic Plan, even better. I am feeling a tad apprehensive of sorting it yet again, but will be ok, once I begin!
Well done on persevering with the YOGA with Adriene, I too, fell by the wayside with that and had to abandon so many sessions.
I look forward to seeing how you get on with that in February. I have to admit, I am trying her Gentle Yoga, I think it is what is needed !
HUGE well done you and I look forward to your posts x
Hi Oldfloss. Family are all good, thank you 😊. My ankle is sore again 😢, so I chatted with my Pilates instructor this morning during our class and I’m visiting her for a physio appointment this afternoon. Hopefully she can get to the bottom of what’s going on. It feels like something is trapped….. Restarting the Magic Plan is a bit daunting at first, I agree with you there, but now I’m looking forward to getting back to those longer runs, as I’m sure you will too. I hope my ankle doesn’t put me back, but will take and act on advice. Meanwhile I shall keep enjoying the yoga 🧘🏼♀️ 😊.
OOoo... painful! Hopefully the Physio will get it sorted out pronto! Yes, I shall enjoy the longer runs, but am perfectly happy to keep it all steady :)Glad that all is well with the family x
Ankle Update- it was a busy day yesterday. Ended up in A&E after physio suspected a stress fracture. Fortunately it isn’t fractured, just a sprain, but (long story short) they were concerned about the residual lump/ strange tingly sensation on my foot left after an injury 2 years ago and further investigation for a Morton’s neuroma now lies ahead. Ho-hum. Plump up the cushions on the Injury Couch Oldfloss 😢. 2 weeks off running for starters…
Hi there Floss and all. I went out on W1R1 yesterday as I had promised myself. Despite nearly 4 weeks of knee strengthening exercises I still had numerous twinges as I went, but by the end they seemed to be ok. (Not sure if this “running through the pain” that we are not supposed to do might actually be the thing! Seems to loosen my knees up!)
Felt a bit breathless in the runs, which I found disappointing as I thought I had maintained a reasonable level of fitness throughout my “time off”, but am looking forward to second run tomorrow.
Started my cancer treatment also on Monday so everything to play for now!
I restarted the program in mid-January to help with my COVID recovery, just finished w2 and hoping to get out for w3r1 today. Some days are really hard still, it's so surprising to me the amount of fitness I lost given my symptoms were so mild. But we persevere and I'm sure I'll be running 5k in no time!
I also joined my local Goodgym as a way of getting some different exercise and it's a pretty incredible group, if there's one in your area I'd thoroughly recommend it. I've been walking the group run events so as not to push myself too far but where we make our own way to events I'll get a C25K run in on the way.
This week I've also invested in a treadmill to make sure I have no weather-related excuses to run - I've thought about getting one every winter for about 3 years now and am finally in a position to treat myself. It arrives on Saturday, never thought I'd be excited about a treadmill!
Very well done you and for making a super, return comeback after a bout of this dreadful Covid. I don't think we are able to say with any certainty , what mild is... it is a nasty thing that we still know so little about. You are doing amazingly to be out there at all yet!!
Good Gym I know is very popular with so many, Not near me unfortunately, and what a great way for you to get out too... with great company!
Good too, not to push too hard, You will get where you want to be having had fun and safely!
Treadmills are so good for inclement weather... they also make sure we do NOT have any excuses to not run ( Good or bad thing )?
I think a little photo could be in order when it arrives?
Well I was supposed to run on Monday as part of my getting back into running every other day after Covid and two rather nasty bouts of post-viral fatigue/long Covid, but it didn't happen as I was having a knackered day (wish they would do one now - it's not funny any more after nearly 4 months!)
So I didn't get on the treadmill until this morning pre-work. Very disaapointing as I only ran 1k before I had to stop as I was overheating badly with the treadmill being right in front of a radiator which was on full blast at 8am, and also developing really painful calves which I haven't suffered from in months! I am wondering if this might be partially because I'm using a running pad at home, which has no shock absorbing qualities, that makes it feel more like outdoor running - which as anyone who knows me, knows doesn't suit me at all 😲 Still, trying to look on the bright side, at least I did get a jogette in, which is better than nowt!
Plan is I might try for another 2k this evening after work at 6pm, the only downside being the central heating will be on again so I may well overheat again! I'm booked in the gym on Friday for a run on the "big mill" with fabulous shoch absorption, so I hope I'll fare better there.
I'm also going try and start the no-jump HITT workouts again as that's also been beyond my means for a few weeks now. Things have got to start improving soon........PLEASE!!!!
Oh gosh... what a state of affairs. I really feel for you. You are doing all you can to keep well and strong and this vile Covid is still taking its toll.
Hopefully you will get another run in this evening, and maybe not near to a radiator!
There are loads of links to calf exercises on the D and F forum and some great workouts there too.
It may be helpful?
You are doing so, so well and under really difficult circumstances . Just take it really gently, stay focused but stay kind to yourself too.
All this and you are working as well. Inspirational or what !
It is going to ease... we just have to have patience... oodles and oodles of it ! Hang in there!!
I only ever tried a Treadmill twice. I was training for my first Ten Miler and wanted to do the distance before the Event.Weather got terrible right before it so I got a week pass to a gymn.
Ran ten miles on tje Treadmill and literally peed blood afterwards. Went yo Doc, he tested for a few things and nothing showed up. Ran the ten again on the treadmill - peed blood again. Never happened before or since running on the road. So - probably walls of bladder banged together and abraded. Definitely a case of too much pressure and lack of cushioning effect.
Now I'm the opposite Irish-John I tried running outside last year after allowing myself to essentially be pressured into it following several comments on the forum and completely shot my spine and injured my hip too (and that was just one run 🙄). I have had lots of spinal surgery over the past 40 years and was warned by surgeons not to run on hard surfaces, but decided to give it go after being repeatedly told that was what I "needed" to do to "really enjoy" running. Well, it's not, so I stick to the treadmill now, but this running pad I have bought has no shocks and is proving to be quite hard on my joints, so let's see how I fare on Friday back in the gym on the super-bouncy treadmills there 🏃♀️ I might have to trade in for something kinder in the house...........................
I probably would have been OK if there had been better absorbency on the Treadmills. It was interesting to harken back to the days when our Sgt would announce he was going to march us 'until you piss blood!" I always assumed that he was just being poetic, and for an Infantry Sgt that is not a high threshold to attain lol, but he wasn't actually far off reality. What I had was first described in soldiers - "March hemoglobinuria hemolysis caused by repeated uncushioned shocks or trauma to some body part, such as in some soldiers on long marches, in marathon runners, and in karate practitioners."
Hello all!I had a great run last Saturday to start week 9, buggy and child free and with music, flying round the full 30 mins further than I've ever got before so felt v encouraging. Then attempted monday morning after school drop off, but with the buggy and a strong wind I didn't get far. So I'm planning to stretch the week out with w9r2 tomorrow with the buggy, and then hopefully a graduation run at the weekend without!
Looking forward to lots of consolidation this month with and without the buggy, to get more comfortable with 30mins and maybe stretch it out to 5k when I'm buggy free.
But the school is full of repeat covid so keeping the ambitions loose!
Snowdrops in the garden, sunshine yesterday and being given a bunch of daffodils this morning make it feel like spring is on the way
Hello OF and everyone I’m late to the party as usual.Now I did say I was hot on your heels OF and started the week well with 2 runs although I decided to drive to our local park where the park runs are on Saturdays and don’t know whether it was unfamiliarity or I just found it hard but I was disappointed with myself. I couldn’t get into the comfort zone at all so 20 minutes and3.3kI came home deflated.
Have a friend in need today so my planned run didn’t happen so it’s so on for tomorrow -5k here I come 🤞
Hmm.... Well I tried the new exercises the physio gave me 🥵 and now I am wondering if the last 4 weeks of dead insect impressions have actually done anything at all to improve my core strength at all?....
I will persevere...
C25k w7r2 tomorrow morning- snooze gremlins permitting🤞, followed by a lunchtime swim. Then another swim and second stab at the new exercises the day after.
Hmmmm... are you not feeling any benefit ? Maybe it is early days, but is it worth looking at complementary core exercises on the Strength and Flex forum? Something that would not impair what you are already doing? Maybe discuss with your physio ?
It can be a slow process, ( I remember a 12 week stint with no running), but it does help if we feel that there is progress and improvement.
I hope that your run goes well and I know your swim will be welcome.
Just a shout from the corner to see if anyone else wants to take a break!3rd_time_lucky BS44 Katprid Jackapoodle Jell6 Mumpark LottieMW Ian5K Greenthorn Week7 Mummycav
Still here, but I’ve been hiding in the corner!! Managed to pick up a horrible cold which has knocked me for six. Starting to feel better so hopefully I’ll get the trainers back on next week. 🤞
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