Time for the Three Rs.
Resolutions, Running and Reality...
Hello.
Yes. Hard to believe I know... but, one week of the year gone and here I am in the Corner, cushions plumped, fire crackling away and just waiting to see who pops in this week .
The start of the year after the Winterval festivities can be so busy, and sometimes finding time to just take a moment and sit back and relax, may seem nigh impossible. This time of the year too, notorious for coughs, colds, bronchitis and everything in between, including now the two arch villains, Covid and Influenza, is laying many of us low and playing havoc with our running.
I, sad to say, have not run since the 30th November ! I thought I had got one December run in, but no. Since then, wind, weather, ice, snow and an early gift of Covid on December the 19th, have rocked my snail shell foundations a tad,
BUT...
Yes, you know it...there is always a but... this snail is getting back on the snail trail.
The delights of Adriene's Yoga Journey for 30 days of January, linked with RED January... are helping me , slowly and ever so steadily to find my way back to full snail power. ( It's going to take a while).
This finds me in an enviable position. I have time, more time than I usually have, time to do things I wish to do. Time to read, paint and write and oh.... lots of time, especially when resting, ( and there is still a fair bit of that going on), to THINK!
Here I go again...
The New Year, sees a lot of folk all doing the same thing; they are doing something that I have never really understood... they make New Year Resolutions, and from my own experience of knowing some folk who have done this, it seems to be something that never goes beyond January!
On so many occasions, these Resolutions are forgotten, abandoned and simply disappear. Maybe it is because they are too complex, the goals in them are, frankly, unattainable or they simply cannot be achieved in the person's life.
This is why I never make resolutions. But, what I have been thinking about instead, is a word that does not begin with R, Not RESOLUTION...it begins with G. G for goals. Goals for RUNNING. New, attainable and REALISTIC.
The three Rs.
Okay... so here we go. Some ideas, for goals, that maybe we can chat about, and take on board as we move forward into our new running year.
Set Those Goals
Well if you're on the C25K programme, then your main goal is simple, attainable and realistic. Follow the programme, keep it slow and steady and enjoy . If you're a tad further on your running journey, well, your goal may be quite different. A longer distance, a speedier pace, or even an event at some pint in the futures. But where ever we are... we can still have our own goals.
* Be different
How can we do that? We are on the C25K programme, it is all mapped out. Well, try a new route, reverse a route. Go from on road to off-road or vice-versa... run at a different time of day. Run with a friend maybe or in a group? And if you have graduated? Well that still can be applied!
* Focus on a weakness
Yes, we all have them. Mine was rounded shoulders at one time, I worked on it, got Mr OF to video me running and over time, I improved. There are still times when I have to focus on that, but generally I am a lot less rounded!
So...think how you land maybe, are you kissing the ground with your feet? Are you relaxed, face, hands shoulders, are you running tall, are you running comfortably ? The smallest of changes can make the biggest of differences
Work on the weakness and feel proud!
* Record your Runs
Keep a diary or a log... if you are not, ( unlike me), inclined to ramble, then just a quick entry of time, place, weather etc. Even a phone photo record or a scrapbook type of thing, even your own drawings could be included... and there are SO many running journals online on the sales now. I have a written record of virtually every run I have done from 2015.... They make great reading on a cold wet day... and help me see just how far this old snail has travelled!
* Love the body you are in... THIS is a great goal!
Your body is your best piece of running gear! Take good care of it. Some of us may only ever see a Sports physiotherapist when injured, but that does not need to be,. Prevention is better than cure! Physiotherapy ain't cheap, but it would be a worthwhile investment to undergo a body MOT. An expert can assess whether you have any areas of tightness or weakness that could ultimately lead to injury and can then advise how best to address this. Taking preventative action could save you a lot of discomfort and money too, in the future.
If money is tight... and it really is a very tricky time right now, then why not try some sensible, structured and properly done DIY Physio? If money and time are not available, then there are things we are able to do, to help keep our running bods in trim and injury free!
E.g. A tennis ball is perfect for a bit of DIY physio! You can roll on it to get into tight areas and it’s a great form of trigger point release, particularly for gluts and hamstrings. Rollers, foam or otherwise, are great for simulating deep tissue massage. Just make sure that you check exactly how to use rollers or any other piece of equipment. It has to be done correctly!
Make this year the year that you find time to look after all the bits of you...you are worth it!
Finally...now you have a few goals to think about... just remember that every single run you take has a purpose. ( I sound like Coach Bennett ), and it is YOUR purpose.. When you are fastening up those trainers... think, what's the purpose of my run? And, whatever the purpose is...quite simply, stick to it!
My goals right now ? To take it slow and steady and, listening to my body very carefully, try to build back to the level of fitness that is so right for me. When I feel I am back at that level... then I shall set some other goals !
Okay.... your turn now... how has it all been going since January 1st....where are you on the C25K programme... what have you been doing since Graduation and if you are just off the IC...how are you doing? have you any new goals to share with us... or are you going to think on it ?
The fire is stoked up, the logs are burning and we are all waiting to hear your stories.
Ramble over
Oldfloss x
PS
My hare is named Tarquin He runs faster than I , but waits for me, until I catch up! x
⭐️🏃♂️🏃🏻♀️Welcome to the first Badge post of the New year, January 2022 Come on in and get your 'Graduate Badge' here !🏃♂️🏃🏻♀️⭐️
week 6 run 2, after a few days off
Hi Oldfloss - great post - lots to think about. Just popping in to say I am back on the C25K journey. I started back at week 4 run 2, just so I could work off the Christmas food and mulled wine and not overdo it. I have done two runs now and so this week is week 5 for the third time
- if I manage to keep going this time, then I will have graduated by February which will allow me lots of time to consolidate and explore running in the Spring time, which is perfect. So, feeling quite pleased and determined. My goal is to get my badge this time around.
Hello !
Great to see you here on your cushion and good to know that you are back running !
Very good to listen how sensible you were.... listening to your body and taking the comeback gently! This is going to stand you in good stead for the Spring. which is surely following this Winter!
You most definitely will reach your goal and having had fun too. Looking forward to hearing about Week 5 ! x