Hello everyone. Here I am again !
The coffee is on, the juice and smoothies are chilled, and the fresh snacks are out... I have a new banana cake recipe and some wonderful pastries too !
Grab your cushion and sit right down!
How is everything going for all of you!
I am feeling running happy right now... as yesterday, on my repeat journey of C25K after time out, I completed Week 5 ! First frost of the year, but a gloriously sunny day! The longer runs beckon and feel very welcome for me. I am sticking to the plan and not pushing myself to move any faster than the programme states
It was a frosty, glorious run!
Now... where I live, there are a few small lakes and ponds on the huge estate that is not too far a way from me... and on those lakes... there are a fair few Canada Geese. WE call them, The Lads!
This week whilst Mr OF and I were out, we spotted a huge skein of the Canada Geese, stretched across a sunlit sky and it got me thinking, ( oh no), about a post I wrote a while back!
I am going to use that post again now... with a few additions !
Nature and the creatures in it can teach us many things, about many things.
The Geese, surprisingly, to me anyway, are no exception.
Not overly speedy on the land, ( a bit like me really), indeed, they may appear to cut a slightly comical picture, (unless they are chasing you) ! But when some of the more well known larger varieties of geese take off.... wow...the power, the strength, the determination and the stamina of those geese, is awesome.
I was musing, that it is a tad like we runners, and that led me on to find a bit more out about these creatures; and as I did so, the common features that we , in our running forums here, share with them is really interesting.
So...I'm just going to list a few things that geese are really good at... and leave you to draw your own conclusions about them and us and our running!
* Geese fly further when flying together. Each bird providing , with its wings, uplift for their fellow birds. Team work at all times, ( Supporting each other to reach a common goal).
* Other geese will remain by the side of a goose that is sick or injured. Offering help and protection through those tricky times.( Supporting each other when on the IC).
* Taking turns and giving support to each other, no one bird, leading or out ahead all the time; each bird showing its own individual strengths. ( No comparison between ourselves and any other runner).
* Remaining loyal to their progress, following the same migration route and finishing all together in the same place, ( Following the C25K programme and finishing at that podium).
* Honking to each other through the flight. Encouragement and communication at all times to keep each other going, especially when some of the flock are tiring. ( Posting here, reading the posts, replying to the posts offering advice, tips and support. Literally cheering each other on).
Now, you may at this point that I am completely loopy.... but it is really interesting and it really did make me think about us, running, and about us here on the forum.
We start out, maybe feeling very unsure and lacking in confidence, but coming onto the forum, becoming part of this running family, we are immediately strengthened.
There is always someone in front of us, ( with advice and tips), someone behind us, ( whom we can help with our own tips and advice), and always someone by the side of us, ( sharing our experiences and in turn sharing their own).
How great to be part of this!
There are many new beginners , feeling a tad uncertain and not sure of the way? Well you are, certainly, in the right place here.
There have been some incredible posts too, this last week, with many, many of you reaching that destination of Graduation, ( ready to fly on to new destinations now), but still with support.
Some folk on the Injury Couch, but still receiving support and encouragement from all the posts and replies, on here.
More than a few, who have followed this plan before, have joined us too; they know the way and they know the invaluable support and the wealth of knowledge within the forum.
I do know from my own issues over the last few months, since Mr OF had his heart attack, just how much strength I draw from my fellow runners. The support they give freely and unconditionally, has kept me flying... ! Reading your posts alone is motivation in itself, and have helped me so much as I build back to my running health. Thank You x
So wherever we are on C25K, we may in reality, be on our own when we run, but we, because of this forum are never, ever alone !
Please, do pop into the Corner when you get a few minutes, we all want to hear what's happening with you. ! Plus, you may have some Geese tales too!
Oldfloss x
I think my painting of rainbow geese, is quite apt here
