CATCH-up-CORNER...December-rrr. WEEK 4.... Let's get Quacking!

[Oldfloss]

Good Morning, running people..

Here we are in the cosy Corner, and yes, hard to believe, but Winterval is upon us!

I do know that I for one, can hardly believe it!

The corner is warm, the drinks and the snacks are ready... I have some new muffins to taste and some delicious warm pastries.

Grab your cushion and come on in.... I have finally a little time to sit, and reflect. I know for me and Mr OF these last few months have been an emotional roller-coaster, and so frantic, that, the opportunities for running and for resting have had to be really worked out!

But, somehow,,, I am more or less on track!

This time of year for many can be so busy and for some the joy is paramount, but for a few of us, our forum friends, there is so much going on, that the joy is harder to find. We all, I know send all our good wishes to those friends who are on the IC, through illness, or injury and those who are trying to handle family issues, with the strength and determination that they show here, as runners.

I am going to use a post I have used before... it does weirdly seem so appropriate, to some of your wonderful posts that I am reading right now.

Here in our running family, we support each other whatever. We are here to sympathise, encourage, empathise and congratulate. We may even offer the odd shove in the right direction, if necessary too!

But, as I have read on here, so many of you are running and are well and are nearing the graduation podium. But if you have not got the time, the weather is against you?

We have chatted about this so many times here in the corner.

Because of being on the C25K plan or just because you love your run, you may really want to keep everything going...not always easy ! If you are not on the plan, those missed runs may weigh heavy on our minds.

Well we have said it before; we Acknowledge the facts, we Accept, then we Adapt!

OK; we know runs may not happen, we accept you really may not be able to stick to any plans you have! But any runs you are able to manage, are going to be a bonus ! Many folk will still be reclining on the couch whilst you get out there.

Time to adapt!

* Some runs may need to be short, maybe not even the runs planned for whatever week you are on... run anyway! I have done loads of short runs since August!

Think of it as a bit of time for yourself... just a ten minute, “ I'm going around the block while you Read to little one, wash up, peel the 'taties” ! Time to breathe.

* Don't think about it , if there is a chance.. take it …!

*If you do get out.. use the time, to up things a tad, ( sensibly), however short, to focus on your form; your landing, your ankles, your face... are you relaxed, are you breathing happily, are you smiling ?

* If you cannot do the run you planned, make it short and fun... how many houses with Christmas trees in the window, how many dog walkers, how many folk with brand new trainers out there!!! I do this all the time and have some wonderful photographs taken en route !

* Don't use the runs to try to burn off any of the extra yummy calories you may be munching on over the next few days, but know they will fuel a lovely little run!

See, all is not lost. You may find the time and you may get a run in.

Maybe you could share any ideas or plans that you have got tucked away for the next few days?

And if you have accepted, that there really is no way, because of work, visitors, a house full of friends and family... then the runs as we all know, will WAIT. they are so patient.

I am banking on that fact, because although I got back to my 30 minute, re-Graduation run on Wednesday.. ( NINE year Runniversary), I am still not running consistently as I was before Mr OF's illness. I do what I am able. ( I still have not found time to post that run!

So come on, grab your cushion...get closer to the fire and let us know what is happening with you right now. We want to know your plans and know, are YOU going to get some time on for yourself, run time?

I cannot wait to see who finds the time to drop in …

Oldfloss x

PS

This year's Art Class. painting for a Christmas card. Teacher's choice. Ducks on ice!

Or, 'Strictly Quacking!'

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Such a lovely post Floss, and so full of wisdom. You just show us that the runs will wait and will be there for us when we are ready. I seriously was going for a short run early today but it's blowing a hooley out there , I can hear it howling round the house, so i snuck in here with my cup of tea instead to sit a while and reflect on the year we've had, the accepting, adjusting and adapting we as a family have gone through. I'll sit a while and then go and finish my Christmas wrapping.

Wishing you peace, health and happiness as we go into the festive time.....xxx

[David_G]

Hi Oldfloss and running friends, I’m glad to be here!

I’ve just finished writing out my speech for my best friend Carole’s funeral tomorrow 😢 I’ve had it on my tablet for a while now and been making amendments as they come to me, but I thought I should have the final version written on paper as a backup! I’m trying to hold myself together at the moment, which running is really helping with. It just gives me time on my own to think about what she meant to me and try to focus on the fun times we’ve had together in over 36 years of friendship.

I’ve had tremendous support from my family, friends and the running community as a whole, which I’m very grateful for at this difficult time.

I’m going out for a run this morning to collect my thoughts, then this afternoon I’m heading over to Weymouth (where the funeral’s being held) with my sister and brother in law. We’re staying overnight in a hotel then going to the service tomorrow morning, so it will all be over by lunchtime. It’s going to be an emotional time for all of us who knew and loved her, but we’ll get through it together.

I’m sure I’ll go out for a run again on Tuesday, just to clear my head and give myself some more time to rest and relax.

I may come back on here during the week if that’s OK, just to let you know how things went.

In the meantime, I hope you and Mr OF get a chance to rest and relax as much as you can!

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to David_G]

Thoughts are with you David, loss is hard to cope with especially when it's someone close to you, sending healing vibes your way and hoping running helps ease your sadness

[David_G in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks SueAppleRun 👍

[Tbae in reply to David_G]

Sincere condolences David on your loss.Praying that all goes well for tomorrow. 🏃‍♂️ 🌟 🙏.

[LottieMW Ambassador in reply to David_G]

Sending love 💕

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to David_G]

Oh David...there are no words...tomorrow will be very difficult , but you are right to try to continue doing what you are doing with your runs.Focus on those happy times, the fun, the friendship and the joy.

No one and nothing can ever take those memories away.

Caroline has been part of your life and she remains to be part of it and you.

The strength you've shown through your illness and recovery...will take you through.

We will all be thinking of you tomorrow and will welcome you here, later this week....

Sending you our good wishes...we're with you x

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

hello  Oldfloss ..I am dropping in…I haven’t quite got my slippers on yet, still lots of running about to do, but not the kind of running I’m hoping for 🤣

I was reading  Yesletsgo reply to me and she mentioned a Christmas morning run, which sounds perfect & the best way to start Christmas Day but I think the day will run away with itself & that will be the only thing that’s running!! But…I have 2 weeks off over Christmas so no excuses for no running, I’m looking forward to the opportunities 🏃‍♀️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Mummycav]

Good to see you here, time to chill a while in your busy life.Yes..getting the runs in...the runs we love, is so tricky sometimes...

It's good that you have some, well deserved time off, time to spend with family.. precious time indeed. Xxx

[Yesletsgo Administrator in reply to Mummycav]

I'm very lucky Mummycav that I'll be at my brother's for Christmas Day. He does all the cooking, all I need to do is prepare a cheeseboard for the evening, so it's dead easy for me to get a run in. If I'm lucky he'll even cook us breakfast when we get back

Not so easy if you're the one doing all the cooking but like you say, you've got two weeks to get some runs in.

Happy Christsmas 🎅🎄

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Yesletsgo]

Bliss... We are with the family too for the day.. they want to give me a complete rest for the day ... what wonders these children can be ! Mr OF will be so happy with small one !

[Yesletsgo Administrator in reply to Oldfloss]

I bet you and Mr OF will have a wonderful time, there's nothing like being with family who love you ♥

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Yesletsgo]

True xxx

[nowster Graduate in reply to Mummycav]

I'm hoping to do a Christmas morning run too. Just a short one (half an hour max) as I'll need to be helping around the house. I'm not even going to check whether there's a parkrun in Pwllheli on Christmas Day. We'll be staying with Dad for the few days round Christmas, driving there at silly o'clock tomorrow evening (Christmas Eve).

The big meal is going to be a kit which is currently in the freezer. It was my sister's idea: rather than slaving for hours over prep, get it all in a pre-prepared form which just needs to go in oven or microwave. Of course, the name "prefab sprout" did come to mind. Dad will protest that he wants to help but I suspect that he'll no longer be up to it. Last year's Christmas was all about making sure Mum had a good time whilst Dad was stuck in hospital climbing the walls (literally) on high dose steroids.

Mum's not with us this year. Like David_G I had a eulogy preparation crisis in late July. Definitely have your speech on paper: several copies in a large font!

On a positive note I seem to have lost a few kilos since summer, thanks to doing longer runs and cutting back on the sugary snacks, so I can better cope with the excesses to come over the next few days.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to nowster]

All sounding good... times change so...and spending time with your Dad... well that will be good for him and give you some time on the LLyn too.

You have had a time of it over the last year or so...time to ease off for a day or so... enjoy and run the excesses off later x

[Annieapple Graduate]

🍏 Morning Oldfloss SueAppleRun & David_G .. joining you all with a cuppa! Oh such a delightful painting OF & encouraging sentiments… so welcome on this cold 🥶 morning. Sue🍎 those 3 A’s have helped me too as I reflect on this past year. David thoughts are with you as you pay tribute today to this very special friend. Glad you can find some headspace with your runs & have some wonderful family & friends to go through this bereavement together. Wishing you all the blessings of this wonderful time of year. Xxx

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to Annieapple]

It's been a bit of a year hasn't it Annie ? Maybe the next one will be better as we follow the 3 A's towards our new paths xx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

We'll all try to do that xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Annieapple]

Good to see you here...we are all of a like mind in this safe and warm corner...supporting and caring.Xxx

[Annieapple Graduate]

🍏🤗❤️Absolutely..we live in hope! 🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍♀️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Annieapple]

We do indeed x

[BarbieW Graduate]

Hi OF. Just popping in to say Happy Christmas, and hope you have a good one with your family.

I shall be doing Parkrun in the morning, then our family will be going to a local hotel for lunch, just the four of us, none of whom can be bothered or fussed about it all. I am not a great fan of excesses like that, so we do our best to ensure my 97 yo mil doesn’t feel she has to cook at all!

But I did go to our local Carols round the Tree in the market square last night and although I can’t sing and am not religious, it felt really good to see hundreds of people of all ages there, singing their hearts out and feeling very much a community. Puts it all into perspective really after that awful summer!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to BarbieW]

This sounds positive and good! Enjoy Park run and lunch too...

And yes... religious or not religious... community, family and friendship... it means so much x