… well the answer is... No you don't …not, All the time.
This is your programme and your running and you take it at your own pace and as the weather for many of us, is cold, wet or icy... we sometimes have to take a step back!
I am so, so sorry that the Corner is late opening today... yet another appointment with MR OF kept me very busy until now. But, the cushions are plumped up, the fire is bright and the snacks and warm drinks are plentiful! Sit down and rest awhile.
Okay...I have been thinking... the Corner has not been so full lately and I do know that many folk have had illness, injury or both and that life has got in the way of our runs, quite a few times; so this seems like a good time to remind ourselves in the first week, of what may for many of us, be a very busy and hectic time, just how important being KIND is...
...to OURSELVES.
I have just replied to a post on Bridge to 10K, answering someone who felt that self care was distinctly lacking from their routine and I realised also, that maybe, I am not being quite as kind to myself as I should be!
I have said this many, many times before and it bears repeating.
I realise from your posts that many of us, have had a heck of a November and some of you have had a lot to cope with. But, as always, despite all that life threw at you, you got out there and you ran or walked, or exercised in some way.
You are all absolutely inspirational!
But sometimes, just sometimes, we do need to just accept that we need to rest. It is just as important as the running and the exercises.
Taking time out to sit back, relax and breathe. Do something, maybe just one thing that gives you time to do something for you. Some TLC for your mind and your body.
We all know the benefits of proper rest, Proper rest is essential to a healthy regime, allowing muscles time to recover and rebuild. The mind too, really, really needs that rest time.
Rest helps us feel stronger, avoid injury, hopefully, and maybe further our progress, by helping us to get into the right mind set for supportive S and F work... A great habit to build into our running routines?
If you are on the C25K programme, it is so tempting to really push yourself, even if you feel ill or the weather is against you...but the runs do wait... they really do, and they will be all the sweeter when you get out there. Fitness will not be lost because you took an extra rest day or two,,,
In other words, the rest we need, and the rest we take, even slightly prolonged rest can help make us into better runners.
So...what am I going to do to show myself some kindness? Well, I am really wanting to re-graduate from C25K again... I have two runs left to do... appointments and bad weather have kept me from running. I could, if the ice permits run tomorrow, but I have had a long, microtonal and physically tiring day today so... I am going to wait.
I am going to wait and finish my water-colour baubles! And do some work on another painting too... I will be kind to ME . Those runs will wait.
Your turn now...we would love to know the one thing or things you might do this week that shows you are being KIND...
Grab a cushion, grab a snack and share...everyone is welcome here.
Oldfloss x
PS
White Rabbits, everyone!
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I can hear the fire crackling away and am warming my toes up.
Thanks for taking the time to write such an important post on being kind to ourselves and reminding us to rest and that the runs will wait, all wise and sensible words.
I’m off the injury couch at last (hurrah!) it’s been a long 3 months of not running but I filled my time with kayaking and paddle boarding when I wasn’t even able to walk without pain. This helped my well being. I slowly returned to walking (love it) and gingerly went back to my running club (with the slower paced group) it felt amazing 🤩 I feel like I’ve got so much energy but I am keeping sensible by not overdoing it or pushing too hard.
Hoping to get back to running 3 times a week again and incorporate a lot of strength and conditioning exercises into my routine to help avoid injury again 🙏🏻
Welcome... it is really cosy here... I am so glad that you are finally off the IC! Having the chance for your other exercise has surely kept things moving....
Taking it gently when we do return to our runs, can be a pleasurable thing... your walking and those first slow tentative steps.
By listening to your body you are going to ., know exactly how much to do. I so wish some pf our newer runners drop in and read this. I feel we could alleviate so, so many teething problems for them with replies like yours.
You will, I feel sure get back to your 3X a week... *( as will I, hopefully). The supplementary exercise too.. well you are a testament to its benefits... Thank you so ,much for popping in x
Yes it’s so important to take time out to look after yourself Oldfloss , especially when your life revolves around caring for your loved one. Sometimes it’s great to go out for a run to switch off mentally and feel invigorated. But sometimes you need to switch off physically and relax.
I had a fairly minor procedure yesterday and have been told I can’t run for a few days. So I’ve have had a day of pottering, and ticked 2 items off a to do list. I will volunteer at parkrun tomorrow as they are short of volunteers so I’ll still get that Saturday buzz, wearing rather warmer clothes.
Sorry for the late reply... the session with Mr OF and the latest in a series of really unhelpful appointments, really drained both of us. We were in bed at 9!
You are so right; sometimes, a run is exactly what we need ... and I am so looking forward to the right moment... but yes, sometimes... we need to just let go !
Oh gosh... I hope all is well and I know you will rest up until you feel on form again. Wrap up well for PR... it is foggy and Real Feel is -6!!! White over, with a very heavy, icy frost too. You will need those warmer layers!
You can always pop back in here afterward...I will have fresh muffins and hot drinks on the go, all day !
Thank you for calling in, you have your cushion here, all the time x
Thank you my lovely, a bit warmer here with feels like -3! I was glad of some ski gear this morning, but when I was redeployed to make up for missing volunteers I had to take gloves off to hand out tokens. Brrr.
I’ve come in for a nice hot chocolate with Baileys. Yum 😋
Here you go! Your PR stint sounds really chilly.. it was real feel -6 all day here and felt bitterly cold, every time I had to head out to the Studio or feed the birds!
I had my fingerless gloves on when we were getting the Advent things out of the loft!!
This is a lovely idea! Water colour baubles sound really nice. Good luck with your final few runs too!
Being kind to myself this week by taking a couple of days off work to relax. I have them left over and I needed to just switch off for a few days. Agree with you that rest is very good 😊
Hello and good morning...Fresh coffee, super smoothies, a warm comfy cushion too!
The baubles, they are tricky, but so much fun to do...small runner in training and I spent a happy morning, painting some together and she did amazingly!
Now that is what I call. being kind to yourself.
Well done to you! Making what is not always an easy decision can be tricky. Enjoy those days... and do exactly what is right for you.
Meanwhile... sit back, relax and just breathe. Thank you for popping in x
🍏So lovely to find you all here relaxing by the 🔥… it’s so nice to just chill out & watch the flickering flames & enjoy the chit chat. I am being spoilt today with a back massage which is a timely gift after hours of plane travel.. Last night it was indulging in a candlelight bubble bath…. You are so right Floss.. there are times when it’s good to be kind to ourselves in order to continue taking care of everyone else!
Good Morning you! So lovely to have you back here in the UK with us.
You had a suoer holiday didn't you and you got some wonderful runs in! We were able to share those runs because of the glorious phot graphs too. Thank you!
Welcome... please do take a drink and comfy down on your cushion! The back massage... oh. bliss!!!! That will get you all relaxed and loosen the tight muscles up, hopefully ! A candlelit bubble bath... sigh.... I do miss the bath when this sort of thing is mentioned.. we have a walk in shower!!
Yes, you are so right... if we do not take care of us... who takes care of them Stay a while until it is time for the massage, and than you for popping in xxx
Morning OF! I do like the reminder to be kind to ourselves thanks. - I’m still on the IC as far as running goes, but pain dropping. My daughter is visiting, so we cosied up by the fire & had Mum & daughter time while Mr E was away! 😄
white rabbits! Just calling in for a warm by the fire after a chilly run this morning. Such good advice as ever Oldfloss
This time last year my daughter was getting married and in the same week we unexpectedly lost one of my brothers so it was as you can imagine a complete roller coaster of emotions. Sorting out my brothers affairs in the early part of this year took up lots of my spare time and involved weekends away so I had to put running on the back burner. In the end something had to give and I was beginning to stress about when I would be able to fit in a run. It’s funny because I love the headspace of running but it was the one thing I had to drop.
When I returned after the summer it felt so good and I think being kind to myself was definitely the right decision at the time.
My sisters and I had a lovely weekend away together last week on the anniversary of our brothers death and we lit a candle for him in a beautiful church and then celebrated as he would have wanted us to. So I have definitely needed to run off those extra calories this week!! And now we are awaiting the birth of my daughter’s baby early next year … circle of life. Lots to be grateful for and lots to look forward to.
Sorry I didn’t mean to pull up a psychiatrist chair in the cosy corner!!
Hope everyone is keeping warm it’s certainly toasty in here! I’ll post a pic of all my animals hogging the log burner last night 😊
Thank you...really, anyone can paint...you just do it in your own way and your own time.I am slow..many of my group finish things much faster than I. But as my art tutor tells me..no need for comparison. "Be yourself, everyone else is taken ".
This is such a timely post and I always get cheered up by a cute bunny! I’ve got a really nasty cold which has settled on my chest. No runs for me and walks in the cold aren’t happening either. It’s all self care here…hopefully that means I’ll be back to full power more quickly than pushing myself when I’m really not well.
In the meantime, I’m reading books. Once I’ve stopped coughing every other breath, I might even pick up some half finished crochet projects. Time for some more hot chocolate!
Hello you! Cuddle up and sit a while... plenty of hot chocolate here... Yes... a good time to catch up on a few simple and gentle tasks... and recover.
Thank you! My day has been mainly on the sofa with an excursion to the bath. I’m finally feeling like I’m on the up now. With the main road turning into a river, it’s not been a disaster to stay in! ❤️
Thank you! This has been a really nasty one. I’m still snotty and coughing but my chest feels less like there’s an elephant sitting on it so that’s progress.
Hello Oldfloss! I’m popping in to grab a cushion and get comfy. I’m almost ready to start C25K again and I’m getting excited about that. I’m really enjoying reading about everyone’s running stories and sharing their highs and lows. Soon I’ll be doing that too….can’t wait!! Lots to look forward to in the new year!
In the meantime, I’ll just sit, relax and enjoy a big hot chocolate with marshmallows and cream, and also a nice maple and pecan pastry 😋🖤🤗
Tuck in and sit right back.. so exciting, doing C25K again..a familiar friend and one we enjoy!Great to read posts and great to share ideas and tips. Good to support too, when we are able and get that support for ourselves x
Rest up and share the warmth...Good to see you here x
Oh my goodness, I so needed to read that today. Thank you for taking the time to reach out with some encouragement. I'm on a little break with a bit of knee discomfort and trying to accept that delaying my next run is not a failure or a disaster! I am also stressed to the eyeballs, layers of life...so a little mental break and some respite and self care is welcome. No point taking a break if you don't then seek to enjoy it eh! The power of the pause!
Hi and welcome...! There is a cushion here for you to just ease back and rest!
Life happens and sometimes it can be exhausting! Just rest ease... know that those runs are still there and that you will be all the stronger for taking this time out.
I have not run for a lot of days!!! The weather is horrible and wet and cold ... but I shall be patient... as will you.
The Power of the Pause... I love that phrase.... it is one I will tuck away if I may for a future post!
Thank you for popping in... next week's Corner will be open tomorrow with fresh snacks and a cushion here for all x
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