CATCH-up-CORNER...WEEK 4...Come on in!

[Oldfloss]

Winterval Plans ...? We.ve got it covered!

Good morning people...here we are in the cosy corner for the last week or so of December. Well. Where did that go?

The snacks are out, the coffee is hot and the energy boosting smoothies are ready!

There may be for some of us, a very, very busy couple of weeks, and it can be, for some of us, a bit of an issue, when thinking about our running.

So, I have been scouting around, to find some useful tips to get us through the Winterval festivity time!

I shall run tomorrow... wind and weather permitting, but it may be Thursday or Friday before I get another chance. I shall keep my simple early morning daily routines going and if I get chance, a bit of time out, for some Yoga breathing.

The runs are patient, and will be there waiting for us.

Okay.

Keep it simple....

If you are doing C25K,you probably want to keep some kind of training schedule in place over the Christmas week, and to follow your plan, BUT maybe tweak it to suit what is happening in your life over this festive time... an extra day or two days off, will not affect your progress... ( Extra helpings of lunch might , but just do, when you head out again, keep it gentle!

Normal Schedule... maybe not.

The first thing to do is relax and try not to overthink or get stressed. Maybe you won't be able to stick to your regular running schedule over the next week or so, so again, try to focus on the fact that any running you can get in will be a bonus. Use your runs too for a bit of time for yourself too, a bit of TLC for you .

If the runs are not what they should be.

You might not have time for long runs over Christmas. But 20-30 minutes is far better than nothing at all. If the runs are short, they still count...The C25K runs are part of the plan, but if you cannot manage a particular run, don't be hard on yourself. Just do a run and repeat the prescribed run when you are able.

Running will give you an appetite for your Winterval treats.

Do those runs and know that the treats you are having are well deserved.

Any extra food and treats?

Well, if you manage a run on Boxing Day, you will actually benefit from those treats. extra food you ate the day before. Your metabolism is being impacted by the runs and the treats, so use it!

*

Okay... just some ideas... but, if you are not able or simply don't want to run... then don't.

Christmas for some can be a very stressful time for many reasons... so, be kind to yourself... and do remember to take some quality time out to rest.

REST . This is a big one!

It is so, so important to make sure you are taking care of your body and allowing it to recover properly. Plenty of sleep, staying hydrated, and eating well. If you are feeling overtired or a bit uptight, please, take extra rest days and maybe , pop in some short sessions of either Pilates or relaxing yoga.

Any down time...make the most of it

There we go...just some little thoughts, which may ease your minds.

Grab a cushion, take a snack and sit a while with us..., All you need to do is sit and just breathe, and if the runs are a bit sparse over the next few days, don't worry.... they will be there, when you are ready!

The Corner will be open over the next week...the fire just gently glowing, the coffee simmering and some tasty biscuits. I may be slow in any replies , but I will be popping in, at some point on most days.

Looking forward to seeing a few folk, maybe, and sharing your ideas and plans for your Christmas running.

Oldfloss xxx

[BarbieW Graduate]

Hi Floss. Hot coffee and tasty biscuits sound perfect, as I perch on my hidden corner cushion please!

I shall be running on Christmas Day, in my effort to get back to my regular routine. We are taking my 96yo ma-in-law to a local hotel for Christmas lunch and we have no other family to worry about, so it is not any particular stress for me thank goodness! I don’t envy those of you having to do all that, in my view, excessive, catering. I’d rather take a rest and not eat far too much!

But I will admit to having more chocolate in the house now, than at any time in the last 12 months. Now how did that happen? So running will help shift some of those extra calories!

Happy Christmas everyone! And happy running.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to BarbieW]

Hello and thank you for calling in today... That all sounds really lovely and relaxed... we have a relaxed small family gathering...just five of us and SiL's mum...

More chocolate though... hmmmmmm ! Eat choc and rest, or eat choc and run A Christmas Day run sounds great... will you go early?

Do let us know how it goes if you get chance and meanwhile, have another biscuit.. x Yes... I am tempting you x

Happy, Christmas to you! x

[grumpyoldgirl Graduate]

Morning Floss - you're up early! So am I, I've been sitting by the window watching the early morning light wash over the garden. So far I've only spotted three starlings, a squirrel and a magpie. It's really blowy out there, although the starlings seem to enjoy perching on the very tops of the bendiest branches, swaying back and fore in the wind.

I haven't been for a run or even a walk for weeks now because of a very inconvenient run of infections. I'm just starting to feel like my self again after getting covid and it's left me very tired, so I'm just taking a deep breath before wondering how I get ready for Christmas. (In fact, it's mostly sorted - but the buying of presents has been affected because you need a functioning brain for that, it turns out. 🥴)

My other half has been out there representing the Grumpy family, and he tells me that everywhere is muddy underfoot, so I'm planning a gentle walk or two and a little pilates, then yet another(!) restart in January.

Although January is also when the birth of the first Grumpy grandchild is due, so there's that! Eek!

[Elfe5 Graduate in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

Good to see you GOG, my surprise morning birdwatching today was three ringnecked parakeets landing in the crabapple tree!

Sorry to hear about your string of bothersome infections- you are not alone, I’ve had a health glitch this autumn too. Go gently after Covid, time for “pacing not pushing” I think. First “grump baby” is very exciting! 🤗🤗

[grumpyoldgirl Graduate in reply to Elfe5]

Parakeets good heavens, don't get many of those in these parts!And yes, very exciting and just a bit close to Christmas so slightly nerve racking too 😂

It's been a rough autumn for illnesses, fingers crossed for better to follow 🙏🏼

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

Glad to hear you are beginning to feel a little better Gog, just in time for the festivities.

I am hoping for a restart too in January, and.... Ooooh.... a first Grumpy grandchild is arriving, how wonderful!

Wishing you a happy xmastime and joy in the New Year!🎅🎄xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

You will be setting out again.... slow and steady , and I will be right there with you x

[grumpyoldgirl Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

And to you Blue, new starts all round 🤗

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

Your morning start sounds to have been beautiful... ! What a glorious way to start any day! Those starlings are cheeky little fellas.. and they are such a beautiful bird too.

Those pesky infections... they really do hang on a bit don't they! The folk who have left overs from Covid are many, and of course anything we get after having it is impacted by its effect on us!

Just be kind to yourself... take it very gently and try to relax and recover... focus in that first wonderful new addition... use that as your time to just sit and breathe and feel happy. When I I am struggling sometimes... I simply picture my granddaughter's face... it is enough .

A gentle walk or two some relaxed breathing... you are going to be just fine... and as for starting again... then that is something to look forward to as well. I just completed it again last Sunday,,, and it felt great!

On we go... together... slow and steady. x

[grumpyoldgirl Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you so much for your kind reply Floss, it's comforting knowing there's someone out there who knows exactly how it feels!A quick birdwatching update -a little charm of goldfinches arrived after I posted, making me very glad that I hadn't "tidied away" the teasels 💕🐦

[Elfe5 Graduate]

Hi OF, have a super Christmas! 🤗🤗xxx

Lots of good advice, as always thank you.

I remember very fondly the Christmas Eve when, already poised in running gear, I put our dinner in the oven and shot straight out of the front door for my run (leaving the family blinking slightly😂). It was my only chance!

I will be on the bike because walking/running are still not possible, but you have made me wake up & realise that I must plan my cycling opportunities, or they won’t happen. Many thanks. 😄

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Elfe5]

Thank you! Thank you too for popping in today... your Christmas Eve run sounds to have been a very well timed one!!!

Yes, plan those cycle rides... it will be something to give you your exercise and some time for yourself too...

Have a lovely relaxed Winterval and this year at least,... the family will have you with them Christmas Eve ! xxx

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Hi Floss,🙋‍♀️

Those feet look very snuggly in those penguin socks 😊

We are looking forward to our small family christmas, little ones delight is magical...

I have been following Ju Ju's lead with a little intermittent fasting (missing breakfast, but then having my healthy granola fruit and yoghurt for lunch) and am down a stone now. Less knee strain when I begin my running in the New Year.

I hope not to indulge too much in the next week, and undo all my good work!☺

I will be looking to start the c25k plan gently now that my right leg feels 'normal' again. I want to get back into my regular yoga routine too, which has dropped off recently.

Warmest wishes for you and MrOF over the holidays and for the New Year!🎄

Onwards and upwards.🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Hello... Yes, I love my snuggly slipper socks... I have elephant ones too! Your Christmas sounds just perfect.. all together...lots of love and laughter.

Oh gosh... I could not do fasting.. I need all the help I can get to put weight on.. ! But you are doing what feels right for you , and that knee ! Do have some treats though... the following weeks after Winterval will give you time to recover your good intentions!

Your yoga too... you love that and getting back into your routine will be super. Thank you for your good wishes,,, and we wish you the happiest of times over the next few days...

Thanks you, for popping in ! xxx

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Hey Floss, lots of good advice/tips that are appreciated 😁.I'm popping in early while it's still quiet but sure I'm no longer infectious, still a bit chesty so I'll rest here drink tea and eat a biscuit or two, before heading out for the walk I promised myself.

Thank you for all the wonderful posts this year and kind support when I needed it most xx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

I missed this, in all the rushing about! There are still some fresh hot drinks and some snacks. I know you are feeling better now from your posts and that is really good news!!!!

That pesky, whatever it was, you all caught was a real downer! Thank goodness all of you are more or less over it!

Hopefully as we move forwards, the new Year will bring new delights as well as the challenges which do form part of our lives...I know that I have to make some real changes in some areas, and accept that some things are having to change by necessity. Trying to stay fit and strong, physically and mentally. The is where these sharing forums come into their own.

Thank you my friend... good to know you are on the mend x

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you 😊 we all coughed a bit our way through Christmas but although very different it was really good. Your past words ran through my mind a time or two, Accept.....Adapt.....what was the other one? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 . So yes these forums are great places to learn, reminisce and quietly get in with life, with some running thrown into the mix. Wishing us all a healthy 2924

Strange though, slow running and being a bit breathless gave me time to look around and enjoy just being out xx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Acknowledge...accept...adapt;)Just getting out there, is often, just enough.

Hugs being sent to you x

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Ha, thank you, I was just going through your posts to find it.....yes, I've had to Acknowledge that my life is on a different path....accept that I can't go back to the way it was and .. .. Adapt my thinking to be able to enjoy the life I have.... Very wise words even if I couldn't remember the first one. It's been an interesting time .

Hugs back to you xx

[RunningJ123 Graduate]

I just did a 20 minute run in the wind but thankfully not rain! It was good to get out... I haven't for a bit for different reasons, but hopefully now I can get into a more regular routine again 😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to RunningJ123]

Hello ! Well done to you... we have had both today, but mainly rain! I think a fair few of us are planning to get back into some sort of routine again... illness, life, wind and weather can upend us ...

Your run sounds to have been just the ticket! Not too short, and just long enough ! Look forward to seeing your posts... until then, sit back and have a warm... the fire is glowing nicely x