CATCH-up CORNER...WEEK 3.Come on inside.

[Oldfloss]

"One of the beautiful things about running is that it is direct and elegant. The formula is simple: put one foot in front of the other"

Well, hello, again you wonderful, running people. The coffee is on, the fire is warm and the snacks are plentiful.

Yes, another week has passed and here I am again. Full of the joys of Winterval and embracing each day as we head towards mid winter. Here we are, in the third week of December, heading to what is for many, one of the most exciting and frenetic time of the year!

Despite the fact that the weather and life's issues are, sometimes, at the moment against me, I am really on occasions, quite hard to get myself out there; I am, ( mostly), staying positive and biding my time, although I am not getting more than a very short run in sometimes... I am still waiting to get my last run of C25K in ( repeat)!

I am, hoping that on Sunday, I am able to run the same route I ran 8 years ago, on a dark and wet Sunday morning....peeking as I run, at the lights and decorations that the early risers have switched on .NOW! And I make NO apologies for these repeated words !

The quotation above, I have used many times before and in essence, it would appear to be simple, but we all know that in real life, it is not always that simple. In fact quite the opposite!

I have been following your posts , as usual, and some of you have had the most difficult of times over the last week or so. Illness, personal or family, injury, tricky weather, family worries and lots and lots of hard work! But, here you still are and still, somehow managing to keep running! Awesome!

I am reading your posts and replies and am grateful that I and we are able to share your runs. Hopefully there is some support for you, here in the corner.

So I just thought I would pop in, (again), a reminder in here, of how important it is to keep our bodies and our minds healthy and happy, whilst we are running. Our running legs have got a clear programme to follow, but we do need to keep the rest of our running body in trim too.

The Strength and Flex Forum, where  CBDB , myself and a while load of other contributors, hang out, has a wealth of information for we runners, at whatever level. When we begin to run, we benefit so much, from other exercise on some of our rest day. Core strength and stamina work really does make a difference . Yoga links, too, for our minds as well as our bodies and all manner of different workouts.

Rest days are essential, and yes, I do know that many of you have precious few of them. But if you are able to find some time, however short, where you are able to just rest your mind and body in whatever way you are able, then that too, plays its part.

You all know that I think of you as my running family, and yes, I do worry and care about you ,like an Old Mother Hen.

So....if you have not visited, PLEASE... do so.

In these times of all manner of stuff which may be so, so worrisome and draining always remember, that; You are your most precious asset... you need to guard it, nurture and cherish it.

Looking forward to see who pops in today!

Oldfloss xx

PS.

The picture is my water-colour class, attempt at a beautiful Red Cardinal in the style of a painting by Hersey.

[David_G]

Hi Oldfloss glad to hear you’re still getting out there and you’ve nearly completed C25K again! Sadly I can’t say the same, but I did my second volunteering stint at Cardiac Rehab on Thursday which seemed to go well. I have to say I find volunteering hugely rewarding and it gives me some purpose now I’ve retired from work😀👍

My running club are starting a C25K programme in early January so I hope I’ll be able to join that and get back into running🤞 We’re also going for a club run on Tuesday evening, taking in the Christmas lights around the town, finishing off with mince pies back at the starting point.

I’ll keep you updated with my progress- it’s going to be tough but I’m determined to get there 🏃‍♂️🏁

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to David_G]

Hello... sit down and rest a while... you deserve it.

I am so pleased that the volunteering is going well... having someone who has gone through it and knows what it feels like, has got to be so helpful! It will develop too!

The runs will wait... have fun on Tuesday and just take it steady... it will be tough to get back... I know in my own small way, how tricky I have found the comeback, this time around.

But, we are here for you... and will support you, every step of the way.

Thank you so much for calling in today xxx

[Beachcomber66 Graduate in reply to David_G]

As you know David, all we can do is find a recovery plan and stick to it. The rest we can do nothing about…except persist. Best wishes and healing waves from the North East.

[Annieapple Graduate]

🍏What an exquisite painting of a very beautiful bird. One year when we visited the lakes in East Canada we saw a few. A real treat!

Thanks Floss!!! The S&F reminder becomes more important than ever in this cold weather as many arthritic and other pains and stiffness seem worse. The longer nights see some of us sitting more in front of the TV & that lower back pain rears its ugly head. A timely reminder in order to keep us running safely in the new year.

Delighted to hear that graduate run is almost upon you. As well as jubilation there will be happy tears I am sure after all you have been through to get to this point. We will all be at that finish line 🏁 to give you a hug 🤗

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Annieapple]

Thank you... I am not sure on it, it was my first attempt at something like that. It turned out better than I expected.! Seeing real ones, must have been quite something!

I do feel for you and with you...my arthritic thumb is really painful, although I do my hand exercises every morning, when I wake up! Lower back pains so wearing and I find the YWA exercise for those so helpful!

How are you feeling right now...? Sit back and rest awhile and see who pops in, maybe?

I am looking forward to the run... It is supposed to be warmer tomorrow... so I may get a drier run than eight years ago! It will be a special run I feel.

Thank you for popping in today xxx

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Hi Floss and running people, I'll wave through the window again and keep my lurgy to myself, have a great week

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Oh my dear...this is not good news, I was hoping you may be feeling a tad better ... take a seat and relax... heal soon and rest up. Sending a gentle hug x

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks, yeah it's going on a bit, but my voice is beginning to come back, maybe my energy will too soon xx

[Annieapple Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Sorry to hear that Sue! Xx

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to Annieapple]

It's a bit rough Annie, but today has been slightly better xx

[Annieapple Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

🍏🤗Keep Resting & drink lots of fluids!

[Elfe5 Graduate]

Hi there OF - lovely painting, I sometimes see Red Cardinals visiting my brother- your painting took me straight to Cape Cod memories, where we holidayed together.

Still no running for me, but the exercise bike, physio & Pilates keep me ticking over.

Your final run is politely waiting for you - you will know when it’s the moment. 😄

You are welcome to be my Mother Hen any time! (Although you aren’t old enough!!)

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Elfe5]

Hello and welcome to you... sit down and rest a while. It must be quite special seeing those birds in reality and what a lovely memory... Cape Cod has always sounded such a romantic, distant place to me...

Yes... it is waiting and I have fished out the leggings I wore that day when I graduated... it is supposed to be warmer tomorrow... !

I like being a Mother Hen.. it suits me just fine... Keep up with those exercises and you will get back to the running. as and when.

Thank you for popping in x

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Beautiful painting Oldfloss, another fantastic post from you, I wish you good luck for your re-graduating run, yes we are all in a wonderful running family which you are the queen or the CEO, or whichever name you wish to be called, once again I wish you all the best for your graduation run ✔️✔️🏃🏾

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you so much, Al...your friendship and support is so appreciated xxx

[Karen59er Graduate]

what a beautiful painting Oldfloss - you are so talented! Just popped in as I don’t visit the forum regularly, but wishing you all the best on your run today - it sounds like it will be very special, so I’m sure you will go gently on yourself and savour every moment. Thank you for continuing to inspire and support this group. I hope there will be a festive treat on your return from the run!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Karen59er]

Thanks you for popping in and thank you... I had a lovely run, very gentle and extremely steadily... I ran the same route as 2015 and only changed the last kilometer... and ran across the fields.

I turned into the close and could hear Mr OF.... and as I came through my front gate he was leaning out of the window and cheering and clapping...thank goodness for location sharing eh?

Thank you so much x

[Teaching]

'Yes, I can see you '

[MissUnderstanding Administrator]

That’s a beautiful painting! 😍 Did you make it out for your run? Really hope it’s a wonderful re-graduation for you-it’s so well deserved.

I’ve finally got a run to report. I’ve had flu and a strained chest muscle after coughing too much. It’s taken ages to get back on my feet but today it was finallj time to give it a go. One step in front of the other and it was so great to be running again. Twenty minutes was long enough to just start to feel my chest muscle starting to grumble but also just long enough to put a big smile on my face. There was coffee shop in view so I walked the rest of the way back home with a coffee treat! The perfect way to finish!

I’ll be taking it easy and pulling back where I need to. It’s nice to feel somewhere approaching normal again. Hooray!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Hello!!

So good to see you here, and up and running too! I did get out yesterday! Just posted on Bridge! Tech' glitches for a few of us yesterday!

That twenty minutes run sounds to have been just enough, and listening to your body as every... sensible... I hope folk take notice!

The treat was well deserved and I do have a fresh almond croissant here, just for you this morning!

It is so good, isn't it to feel like Yourself again... I can totally empathise with that. Sit back and catch your breath a while... it is going to get busier xxx

[MissUnderstanding Administrator in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you! Almond croissants are my favourite.

Loved reading your run report-wish you could have an extra big graduate badge for finishing the programme again!

I’ll be channeling as much patience as I can find. At least I know short runs can work for me and that will keep me going! Thanks (as always!) for the support ❤️❤️❤️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

I shall be doing loads of short runs for the next week or so... and they can be so liberating and such fun...no pressures at all and pure fun runs?

So good to share our experiences isn't it? xx

[MissUnderstanding Administrator in reply to Oldfloss]

Absolutely! Sharing is what’s kept me going through the ups and downs. ❤️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Me also... our virtual friends are there to help us keep going when things get tough... non judgmental and so supportive! And.. there to give us the odd shove, in the right direction too!

🤣😉

[BarbieW Graduate]

Hi OF, sorry not to have been here much lately, but I was delighted to see your wonderful graduation report, it brought tears to my eyes when you got home to Mr OF’s cheers.

I developed a cold a couple of weeks ago, and I was seriously worried as it was (only!) a cold that nearly carried me off altogether exactly one year ago. So I was a bit reluctant to push my luck too hard. Fair enough, and I am better now thank goodness, and even joined the ‘Reindeer Run’ on Sunday in aid of our local Hospice. As I was a bit out of practice, I was very slow (it was only 3k, fgs!) but I did finish, so got my first ever bling. Way to go!

I did think I might be lapped by the dinosaur, but thankfully he only managed 1 of the three laps, so I was saved from that embarrassment. As my B-I-L commented, always useful to be able to outrun a dinosaur.

I now need to get back into my running 3 mornings a week routine and start (tentatively, at least) increasing my distance again, using JuJu’s magic plan. So my New Year’s resolution seems to have been formed already!

Have a good Christmas.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to BarbieW]

Welcome! A cushion here for you, all the time.

I am so glad that your cold, was just a cold. There are so many folk succumbing right now, coughs, colds, flu etc etc... and of course the pesky Covid is still very much with us.

That run sounds super and a really fun run too...very well done you! Of course, your SIL is quite right, one never knows when one will need to outrun a dinosaur!

Your thoughts for the future are great! Do you want to team up ? I am going to be, tentatively, starting Ju's Magic plan again, to get ne ready for a 10K Race in April... a few of the forum friends are meeting up again for a run on the Monsal trail HM or 10K !  Bluebirdrunner and I are doing the 10K again...

There are a few folk on Bridge Quest thinking of starting Ju's plan... we could get together and support each other maybe. I will be listening to my body though and maybe the three runs for me won't always happen in one week! Being kind to ourselves is key and a great Ne Year resolution to have too, maybe?

Lovely to see you and great to hear those colas you have in mind. Sit down, rest a while... and maybe ponder a few support exercises to keep you on target, over the Winterval break. There are some great exercises there right now.. including a super dance routine one... loads of fun!

Thanks you for dropping in! x

PS

You were not the only one with a tear in the eye! Took me a while to gather myself together ! xxx

[BarbieW Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Yes please, I will depend on you to keep me on track!

Just realised Christmas Day is a Monday, one of my regular running days, so that should blow away a cobweb or two, and get me ready for my Christmas lunch in the local pub!

B xxx