🍏Hi everyone 👋 The darker, colder mornings & evenings after the clock change can challenge even the most dedicated runners. Come on in, grab a sandwich & a hot drink & let’s chat about it! I am hoping Oldfloss may pop in with some of her muffins…. and her legendary wisdom. There are a number of Newbies on our forum getting to know one another, & some who are about to, or have just graduated, plus returners & Admins. We are a merry mix here at the fireside, but everyone is welcome! 🤗
🤔 I always find this is a good time of year to take stock.
Should I add some strength & flex to my day or on my rest from run day? Do I want to continue my early morning run routine or go later when it’s warmer? Maybe for you it’s, “Should I run earlier now that the evenings get dark so quickly? Should I be changing my route? We all have different schedules, preferences & body clocks. Having tried different times over the years, for me personally rolling out of bed at dawn into my trainers & out the door after a quick warm up is always best. If I take too long to think about it I don’t do it. You have to do whatever it takes to keep you going on your C25K journey. Some of you are so close to finishing & nothing will stop you now, but for those in the early weeks don’t let the clock & weather changes stop you! Plan to succeed!
Here’s a classic quote about planning to succeed:
“Failing to plan is planning to fail.”
— Benjamin Franklin
Or another option:
“A goal without a plan is just a wish.”
— Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Both remind us that a clear running plan is essential for success, transforming our hopes of running into actionable steps.
🧤 Something else to think about is dressing for success as mentioned by Oldfloss last week.
Knowing you have the right equipment can help you step out the door. My favourite is a warm woollen slouched hat knitted for me in fabulous cerise pink & purple, by a fab friend. I traditionally put it on after the clock change.
💡 Remember Why You Started: On the toughest days, remind yourself of why you run – is it for fitness, for mental clarity, or for the sheer joy of it. When I lose my mojo a little thinking back, always helps me to keep pushing forward.
Someone once said
“Running in the cold is like running twice—once for your body, and once for your mind.”
Winter runs sharpen both our physical and mental toughness
There’s no doubt about it, facing darker days is tough, but embracing the challenge will make us stronger runners. Please pop in & share any tips you have with those lingering at the fireside or just say Hi…we love hearing from you our intrepid Couch 25K runners!! Have a good week and get the run done ✅
Keep warm until next week 🔥
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lovely catch up post Annieapple ..I’ve brought a log for the fire and I have my cosy socks on…I love autumn running,,early morning or dark evenings, as long as I’m dressed for success I don’t mind either..I’m feeling motivated at the moment so I’m happy x
Great post from you Annieapple I do dress appropriately for weather conditions but don't run in the dark, I keep a note on the sunrise and sunset times.
Yesterday morning I ran at parkrun a 5K in exactly 32 minutes, this Sunday morning I walked 10K in a time of just over 1 hour and 55 minutes in quiet country roads not too far from where I live, I had the Mapmywalk app with me, my 5K split time compared to yesterday was 57:56, 3K split was 35 minutes, so there is a big difference between walking and running.
Most of the leaves on the trees have fallen off the trees and there is a more wintry look about the countryside than just last week, of course when I got back home I treated myself to a chocolate ice cream swirl, yummy 😋 ✅
🍏 Lovely to chat with you around the fire. Yay at last stats I can understand 🤣 Your fitness is amazing AlMorr and you live in a stunning part of the country. If I don’t get to Scotland at least once a year I go into mourning! Yummy treats are certainly my kind of motivation especially ice cream. 🥳
Hi Annieapple . I prefer the cooler runs, so Autumn good for me! I get very hot when exercising, so don’t wear anything particularly warm, other than changing into full length leggings! I do miss the longer evenings though, have had to get my running light out now but prefer not to be in the dark if I can help it. Hope you enjoy the Autumn colours, but watch out for the slippy leaves!!
🍏 🍂 Xmrkn20 Yes those leaves are beautiful until they get wet & slippy! Well done on your light. SAFETY first always! Glad you mentioned that! I so agree.. Autumn is definitely my favourite running season. Enjoy your next one 🍂🏃♀️xx
Well doe quote... Beachcomber66 who is quoting Woody Allen.. I turned up... !
This Catch Up Corner might have been named for me, especially right now. I have been catching up, everywhere! This incudes my running...!
I generally don't struggle with getting out there, as I, like you am an early runner. My gear laid out the night before , and maybe a route in mind too.
But, life sometimes, does upend us and we may have to rethink, as I have over the last month or so.
Early runs have not always been possible and when I have had the chance, the runs are very short. Even so, I am running. Trying to get back to my regular Wednesday, Friday, Sunday , but, if those days are not possible, then tweaking and changing.
This week... I ran Tuesday and I will, when it gets a tad lighter, head out again today. If this morning run does not happen , then I will do, what I did Tuesday... I took a leaf out of MissUnderstanding 's wonderful running book and ran later.
What! Who says you cannot teach an old snail new tricks.. ! I loved it !
The thing that gets me out there regardless is, I love my running, I love the sights, the sounds, the smells and the sensations...and however life is, I will find a way.
Now, I am going to sit a while, and ready myself for the day ! x
Well done for finding a way Floss. You have incredible mental strength. I think the Garmin Body Battery is incomplete; it tells us what energy we have in the tank pre run, then tells us what we have lost when we finish, but it can’t register how we feel. Runs at sunset(peaked cap essential!) or even later (provided we have safe territory) can be magically restorative. I know that you will keep on fitting things in as best you can, finding that bit of me time we all need so much, and remembering that we are with you in spirit.
🍏 Beachcomber66 wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a watch that records our feelings … we actually do it’s called Memory!! 😊 I treasure every one. I can still vividly recall the moment I completed Couch the very first time … it was a magnificent sunrise. The incredible “I have done it” feeling, mixed with the awe and wonder of what I was seeing happening over the North Sea….
It’s wonderful that you were able to pop in and rest here a while and chat to us around the fire … you have inspired us so often Oldfloss with the way you adapt to the tough situations & as Beachcomber66 says you find a way through it. You prove to us how running is one of the best options when looking for ways to help ourselves through stressful situations, rough patches & busy lives. Thank you ☺️
Hi all ... Just finished my week 3 redo and enjoying being out again. I set out today all togged up with an extra layer to help protect my knees so this made me smile about wearing the right gear and adjusting time to go out. I prefer morning runs but sometimes even having retired in December something can still get in the way.
I was starting a new C25K week on a Saturday but now I seem to have lost a day and am in a Mon/Wed/+1 routine for the week.
I had company during the day on Monday and added a 2 hour walk in that my knees were not too happy about but a good reminder to listen to my body and not overdo it and end up on the IC!! As a result my Wed run (which I should have postponed until Thursday) was harder going than it should have been but all better again for today 😃
All I need now is to find that log fire that everyone is talking about as it sounds nice and cosy 😃
🍏😊 🔥 It would be fun to all sit around a real fire! Thanks for joining in the chat & glad you back on target with the runs! Yes it’s amazing how our bodies respond when we respond to the little warnings sooner rather than later…
Like you I love my set routine days for running, otherwise everything feels out of kilter. However life is never that simple is it 🤣 Enjoy your next one Richard & do pop in again next week.
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