Hello everyone.!
Well, here I am.... turning up again, this month nearly out heading into Autumn. The evenings are drawing in, the weather is changing and the last remnants of Summer are, certainly here, slowly and steadily beginning to give way to those blazing shades of Autumn.
Many of my posts at this time, reflect other posts, but the thoughts and the ideas often, are unchanging when thinking about our running.
The Corner has been open for a while, and although quiet of late, we still have a real mix, of new runners, some Graduates and some really seasoned runners, who have joined us on the cushions!
You have all been doing the most incredible things this last month with new Graduates and so many recent Graduates, moving forward to new routes in their running! We do have currently, a heck of a lot of folk repeating C25K., for a variety of reasons, and that show you just how good it is!
I am included in that group and very happy to be running again!
It is also, worth repeating that if you are a new runner, or a repeating runner, it is still really important to read the essential pinned post on How to Run C25K, either to find out how to begin or to remind ourselves of how to move forward again!
Now, following that advice, comes the old chestnut that still crops up, time and time again... speed and distance are of no importance, and yet, still, for some of we runners, there is a lot of worry generated about both those things.
We runners, we are a special breed, and we, are our most severe critics. We really do, give ourselves a hard time.
Time now, to sit down together, take a breather and just re-charge. Just to read here, what has been said so, so many times before, and not just by me!
When we begin the C25K programme, it can, without us realising it, become too easy, to feel pressure, to move too fast; sometimes comparing ourselves with other runners, and even encouraged, often with the best of intentions, by other speedier, or less experienced runners.
Fun is meant to be had on your runs towards Graduation, not just at the beginning, but in each and every week; learning about yourself and your running, getting fitter and stronger with every week. However, the definition of what I mean by slow, is a tricky one to explain. But what I intend folk to take from any advice I may offer, is, simply, to find a comfortable, sustainable and happy pace for the runs within their own running.
This is your C25K and your choice of pace; but try, maybe, to find that comfortable pace for yourself, and, if you are new to running, then do, take it steadily through those first uncertain runs of the programme, and as the runs increase in time, start to feel your stamina increasing, your strength building and those running legs growing.
f you are repeating, then the same applies; find your own, happy pace. Mine, as I am about to start Week 4, is slower than a snail on a go-slow... and bears no resemblance to the point previously where that I had to stop running . But, i am really enjoying the runs.
Get where you wish to be injury free, and having had an enjoyable time.
Many, many of us have busy lives, and are working, long hours, bringing up family, and as we all do, carry responsibility for all manner of things. At this current time too, there are things that we have little control of; rising prices, lack of jobs, world affairs, the list goes on. Overthinking too can be a real problem. Don't I know it!
So let's try to put things into some kind of perspective and try also, to accept, more; do what we are able, and be a tad kinder to ourselves. We are so worth it!
There are incredible, seasoned Graduates on the forums, amazing runners, who have proved their worth, over and over again, and who influenced and still influence my progress, with their tried and tested advice and their sound contributions to this particular forum. Please do listen to their advice. Read as many of the pinned posts as you are able, use the forums and the links to support your running.
So...Come on and let's do this... we will try to relax, follow our plans...but we will, take our time and enjoy.
Floss ramble over.
Now, I and we need to know what you have been up to. How has this month gone for you?
We are all still, eager to hear your experiences, maybe offer ideas or suggestions, or simply sit in awe of your achievements.
Snacks and smoothies are out... fresh coffee and the cushions are waiting!
Please do pop in and let us share with you.
Oldfloss x
But safely and enjoyably ...!
