We've got those, low-down, grey-sky, snow-storm, ice-slide, weary, wearing, Winter Running Blues!

[Oldfloss]

BUT !!!

Fear Not.... Here I am with something, which I am hoping, will give you all a LIFT, a SMILE, and maybe HELP you through what, for so many of us on the forum right now, are tricky and trying times The weather is stopping many of us from getting out. Illness has struck many folk or their family and, injuries seem to be increasing too.

The message here, one that I put out on Catch-Up Corner, many times.

Do what you are able, when you are able, be patient, kind to yourself and know that the runs will wait.

Having said that... there IS something that you may be able to do, even if you are not able to get outside to run...

Here goes. This comes with a warning

Oldfloss Rhyme, coming up... it has been a while !!!

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Winter Running Blues

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So. things are feeling slow

And there's no place you can go,

'Cos the weather's closing in and looking dire.

Freezing fog is hanging low

And there's a been a fall of snow,

And you're heading for the couch beside the fire?

********

You've got the winter running blues

Mothballing the running shoes,

Putting all your gear away inside a drawer?

Now hang on just a sec'

No more exercising, heck!

Besides the runs, there's really so much more!

*********

If you can't run, maybe stroll,

Clear the driveway, dig a hole.

Hit the housework, tidy cupboards as you go.

And if that's not quite enough

There's a pile of useful stuff,

On our forum Strength and Flex, you didn't know ??

*********

There is work for every part,

Of our body and our heart,

To keep us moving and to keep us strong.

Exercises for our toes,

Moving right up to our nose.

If you haven't been there, time to get along !

********

Now if you're on the old IC

That excuse just cannot be.

There are exercises, all done in a chair.

You can pull and you can push,

Bending front, side and backwards from your tush!

If you look and scroll around you'll find them there!

********

There is something there for all,

Take a look, it is your call.

Pilates, Yoga, squats speed walking or a row.

There are links for this and that

Downward dog, or pose of cat

It's there for you and all you have to do, is GO.

********

We'll expect to see you there,

So much for us all to share,

Until the time when we can don our running shoes.

So come on and join the fun

It has only just begun

Floss's bid to ban those Winter Running Blues!

********

Now, wasn't that FUN....? Well I thought so...

I have not been able to run here for nearly two weeks. Life, blocked sinus, and this last week the weather have scuppered me.

The amazing resources we all have on the Strength and Flex Forum, have kept me going

I have moved every day in December, using the ideas there and, in particular the current December ones, put together by our own CBDB .. who keeps an eye on all of us over there.

healthunlocked.com/strength...

If you have not visited that forum yet... it really is time you did.

For new runners, it is pretty essential and for the rest of... well I think it is pretty essential too!

There is also, for anyone who is only able maybe to take a walk right now.. the wonderful resource of Active 10 !

Okay. What are you waiting for?

Head across and I will see you there. I'll be the old lady, either tangled up in my resistance bands or sitting , completely relaxed in the perfect state of Zen, working my way through Adriene's BREATHE

Oldfloss x

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

Another absolutely lovely post from you, my friend! ❤️ Well timed-with my many and various injuries, running is off the cards. So is yoga, Pilates and most of the stretching I’d normally do. No swimming either. The one thing I can manage? A walk! My knees look battered but they’re still functional.

Through gritted teeth, I successfully tied my own shoelaces and zipped my own coat up for the first time in nearly a week. Headed out for a freezing cold but bright wander around the lanes. I deliberately chose flat, even terrain with no ice. It was wonderful to be out again. I know the runs will wait but the walks will help me wait well for them!

Misty fields

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Such good news!

You had a real bang and shock, but have made great progress .. tying your own shoelaces... that must have been so tricky... I really feel for you x

What a beautiful walk, and a lovely photograph. I have to say, I think you very determined. It is so cold here, that walking at a slightly slower pace must have been hard? Walking briskly is one thing... but gosh, I hope you were wrapped up. I know that just getting out will have meant a lot.

It also proves what we say, there are other alternatives to our running !

Well done you... I feel that maybe cake is a well deserved reward...or a biscuit if all the cake was eaten x

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

I thought I’d be frustrated just having a gentle wander but it was so nice to be out that I didn’t mind! I hadn’t realised that I’d stay so cold walking more slowly than usual. My gloves were just cheapo ones because I couldn’t get my proper warm ones on and the wind went straight through them. My face was freezing too. Thinking of adding a buff to the Christmas list and see if Father Christmas thinks I’ve been naughty or nice! You’re right-there were treats on return. I couldn’t get into the biscuit tin but there was a bag of frazzles that was a very pleasing alternative!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Sounding good... and a buff , most definitely should be on that list! You have been extra good this year and very brave too. Ask any of your forum friends here x

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Aw, thanks!!! ❤️

The mobile library is in the area today and will park about a fifteen minute walk away. That seems like an appropriate target to aim for later on. It’s a nice wander too past some ponies who will probably have some smart jackets on to keep them warm. I’m adding at least one more layer on what I was wearing yesterday!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Well done you...take it steady and enjoy!!! xxx

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Well, I added another jumper and it was still freezing! Knee feels good. So good that I forgot I’d hurt it and knelt down on the bruise which wasn’t fun!! The horses in the field looked thoroughly miserable despite some impressive looking coats.

Managed to catch the mobile library just as it was pulling off! That’s £1 saved in fines…I wonder what I can spend my riches on! Despite the cold, it was brighter today and the mood is also brighter here too! ☀️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Ouch!!!Oh well done you! Fines saved...you out there ...and feeling brighter.!

Amazing how a sunny day can lift the spirits!

I'm glad for you....and...you are doing what you are able to, to keep that body fit! X

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Winter Running Blues, another very seasonal prose from you Oldfloss, sorry that you havn't ran for the last two weeks, hopefully your blocked sinus clears up very soon.On Monday afternoon in at temperature of no higher than - 3C but in lovely sunshine I went a 8K walk but today at 2pm its so cold - 5C with freezing fog the owner of Holly the dog, that's the dog I usually take a walk at that time told me it's too cold and foggy to take her out, unfortunately as well he told me that his gas central heating system is freezing up and he has to go outside to prevent it from freezing up altogether, I have a much more modern gas central heating system, all inside, so unless I leave the heating system off for days my heating should be fine.

I'm not really looking forward to my 131st 5K (not) parkrun tomorrow morning, but I'll be well dressed up for it, a slow and steady run, the run starts and ends only a 3 minutes walk away from where I live so I will soon warm up once I get home, have a great day and keep warm.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks Al... I am glad to know that you are staying warm! It is bitterly cold.

My sinus issues resolved and then the weather changed and we have had almost a week of freezing temperatures and ice. I just will not risk ice !

Well done on that lovely long walk, and you are sensible to stay where it is warm now! Make sure you wrap up well for that run and do take it steady...I do not want my lovely Father Christmas getting any injuries. If you are that near to home, it should be fine. Let us know how you go on please x

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks Oldfloss for your advice regarding my run tomorrow morning, it's 2 years ago since I ran on the old primary school football pitch, last winter I didn't need to run there as most of the winter of 2021/22 was mild. On the 30th December 2020 *I ran in similar weather 8K, to run 1K around that pitch I have to run around it 5 times, that Wednesday morning I ran around it 40 times and took a photo of the moon setting to the north west and 5 minutes later the sun rising in the south east, so at the very most for a 5K, I will run around it 25 times, hopefully I'll be able to run on a gritted footpath for some of the run

*Moonset, Sunrise 8K run

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Just stay safe and stay warm... it is going to be cold for a few more days. I love that, Moonset, Sunrise ... it sounds wonderful! xx

[Gildamonster Graduate]

Thanks so much for this! I've bookmarked the link; interested to see what's there!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Gildamonster]

That is so good,,, well done you. You will find so much there !

[Irish-John Graduate]

Love it!!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

Hello you! x

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Yep - it's me Up to my eyes here and also struggling to fit in runs between the awful weather. I just start getting back into the running routine and something happens - as you say, 'life' gets in the way sometimes However - this too shall pass. Aiming at a few Ten Milers in the new year so that is great motivation alone Plus - in seven months and three days time I will be truly, absolutely and extremely officially 'retired' and I am determined NOT to 'take it easy and relax' as I have seen that lead to the 'wandering around the house in dressing gown and slippers all day' retirement plan of more than a few over the years.

Ages forty to sixty or thereabouts doesn't bring the kind of life and physical changes the years and certainly decades after that can, procrastination is far more hazardous and I don't want my pall bearers to be groaning under the weight lol

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

What's a dressing gown? Slippers... ? Believe me my friend, you will NOT have time to relax. I wonder how I every found time to GO to work!

Those 10 milers sound good and any of our new runners here, will be heartened to know that all this running goes on for as long as we wish and for as long as our legs will carry us.

I shall watch for your posts and in the meantime... get some S and f in xx

[LiisaM Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Yes, and I, too, wondered how I would spend my time, but life had a way of fixing those silly thoughts! I cannot believe all I got done when I was working, but I sure don't have spare time now!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to LiisaM]

YOU most certainly don't... you are always busy and getting your runs in too! Go you!

[limberlou Graduate]

oh I loved that little rhyme. I haven’t run since Tim’s run on Nov 27th. Sinusitis and a batch of Antibiotics to clear that when all else failed, then 2 days after I’d taken the last tablet Cystitis struck, and a second batch of Antibiotics for 3 days “ this should clear that up in no time …” and it did and then 2 days later it was back!!! So I had to send a sample off to the hospital to be tested and they gave me a 3rd prescription while I was waiting and then over the weekend and halfway through these meds and not feeling much better I get a phone call to say “ yes the lab did grow a nasty bug but the antibiotics you are on won’t treat that particular so I have sent a prescription for a 4th lot to the chemist for you to collect”. Great!!😥

What with that and the snow and ice which isn’t clearing very fast where I am, except on the main roads, I just haven’t felt like running. I’ve walked a bit and done a bit of Pilates but not as much as usual and I can really feel it SOOOO…. starting tonight I am back doing my ZOOM class of Pilates and I refuse to be ill again……. Well this year at least …..😂

[Roxdog Graduate in reply to limberlou]

Oh dear, poor you! Antibiotics - yuck! I'm still recovering from all the tummy upsets my last lot of antibiotics gave me. It's not helping us stay active is it!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Roxdog]

Oh dear... they are horrible things, but I thank goodness we have them. Hope you feel better soon x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to limberlou]

This is not great news. Poor , poor you!

Antibiotics are a powerful drug, despite what some folk may think and when they are not the right ones for the job, it can be horrid. I can only imagine how you felt. FOUR lots... unbelievable... Have they worked?

Antibiotics and I do not get on, so I know how I would feel... Running would have been the last thing on your mind, and rightly so !

The snow and ice just add to our problems don't they... ? Walking is great and as you are saying your Pilates is something you really enjoy and you are getting back to it.... sounds very good to me.

Plus a target, NOT to be ill... excellent ! x

[limberlou Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

I THINK I’m nearly better in the waterworks dept but I won’t know until I finally stop taking tablets if it has fixed the problem. But I really did enjoy the Pilates last night , even though I struggled with some of the kneeling bits (and she gave me alternatives on my back) due to me having had to pop out and jump start my friends car and whilst leaning over the bonnet I managed to hook my left kneecap under something and, as that one likes to move too far at any given time, I pulled it away from the knee too much and it is painful to kneel on now.

As my mum used to say, if I was a horse they’d have shot me by now and I’d be on the way to the glue factory. 😂😂

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to limberlou]

No glue factory for you...! Really well done. Fingers crossed that you are sorted xxx

[Roxdog Graduate]

Fabulous! I was doing squats as I was reading it 🤣 Particularly as I've hardly moved for days!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Roxdog]

Just well done you... that is great news, you are moving!

I love squats... they work, but in a gentle way? You are just proving that we can always find something to suit our needs and our physical state too ! x

[Hidden]

Lovely poem Floss- inspirational as usual. I listened to a really interesting programme on the radio and now I am trying to embrace the darkness. It is positively Dickensian here at the moment; figures emerge out of the fog and all I want to do is drink Baileys (other liquers are available), to embrace the scandanavian lifestyle.

But heck NO! Lets get out there and enjoy the ice!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Oh that sounds absolutely wonderful...Dickensian darkness , shadowy figures floating in and out of the fog... just perfect!

Curling up in a cosy lamp lit room is very tempting isn't it... but yes, if we can, let's embrace the elements...safely ...but yes.... lets.

Then come home and settle down to read a good old ghost story ! x

[Hidden in reply to Oldfloss]

I’ve loaded up ‘the Woman in Black’ for a gothic run in the morning

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Hidden]

One of my favourites...alongside, The Small Hand !

[Liono Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Officially THE best ghost story! Went to see a stage show in London as a child - terrifying!!!

[Hidden in reply to Liono]

Although. . .The turn of the Screw. . .

Anyway, bright sunshine here this morning, so not gothic at all!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Hidden]

..and here..rock hard ice too!!-5

[Dexy5 Graduate]

Love it 😍

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

Its been a while since I waxed lyrical... x

Despite some of the sad and worrying news at the moment in the UK, I felt happy this morning... thinking of Tim and the amazing total that our runs.... and how lucky we are to have each other, the support on here and the wealth of the resources we have here too.

I love making up the funny rhymes as you well know x

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

You and the other Admins have put a lot of work in to do Tim proud , we couldn’t have done it without you. I’m sure his family were delighted to see the total reach such dizzy heights.

I hope it warms up soon so that you can go out for a trot Oldfloss. I’m going to have to face the chill again tomorrow morning before I get on with more pre-Christmas domestics . I don’t think there’ll be any ice to worry about, just the wind chill. ❄️❄️🥶❄️❄️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

Fingers crossed. .xxx

[RunforMum Graduate]

Big Yoga With Adriene fan here too 😀

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to RunforMum]

Yeay! Many of us love the Yoga.... I flit in and out over the year but...this December one... Breathe... it really does focus me on taking time out... to just be... x

[DooomAndGlooom]

This is *just* what I needed to read today - been trying to find the time (and inclination) for a run but a combo of work and bad weather just aren't making it easy. I try to run 3 times a week and my last run was only on Sunday so it's not too bad but I do catch myself feeling bad if I don't stick to my (self-imposed) schedule. But you're 100% correct - "runs will wait" and there's always something else we can do!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to DooomAndGlooom]

Yes!! Huge well done to you... loads to keep us going!Maybe your name needs changed to ...LightAndBright, now.. 😉

[DooomAndGlooom in reply to Oldfloss]

It'll be "LightandBright" for today... at least!

[Gwenllian1 Graduate]

lovely to read this. We’ve been having a bumpy patch here and with that and the weather I haven’t run for a couple of weeks. Today is a bright blue day, but cold as cold. I’m going to get out for a walk and will look at Strength and flex too which I admit to ignoring when the running is going well, and when it isn’t to be honest. Thank you for giving me a light and gentle push!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Gwenllian1]

Hope you got that walk in...well wrapped up I hope!!!Yes...sometimes we do have to just remind ourselves how really useful the exercises are!

We will reap the benefits!!!! X

[Swimming24 Graduate]

what a fantastic uplifting post Oldfloss you really did bring the sunshine into the forum. After a stressful year with bereavement and cancelled holidays due to Covid I am finally enjoying the sunshine in Barbados. I packed my running shoes and have run on the treadmill with Denise Lewis encouraging me. I am not sure of others feel like me but my trainers have become a happy friend because I know that when I put them on and start to run I feel that sense of well-being. I am running for 30 mins but not covering the same distance as road running. I am happy that I am still enjoying the running. Sending you all a bundle of sunshine 🌞

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Swimming24]

I am so glad...what a hard, hard time you have had x

You deserve to have a warm, sunshine filled holiday and yes, you are perfectly correct. The running shies are our friends, our very good friends, they support us, they lift us, they carry us through rough and smooth and they make us fit and happy.

Enjoy the running , whether inside or our and thank you for the sunshine...we shall bask in it today xxx

[Pugwash Graduate]

Simon Armitage needs to start watching his back!😆

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Pugwash]

Absolutely.....if I once start getting all my stuff out there...polish that Laurel crown! Xx

[Pugwash Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

I was thinking more of that barrel of sack that comes with the job😁.

[Elfe5 Graduate]

Love the OF rhyme thanks - and your comment about being tangled up in resistance bands really made me chuckle-that’s me too!- The blighter escapes from under my feet & rolls into sausages when it’s meant to be flat…🙄 😂… but what a versatile flatpack piece of kit.

Still on the IC (auto correct spelt “icy” – how appropriate!) but I will be back when my back is back in running order!😁