CATCH-UP - CORNER... NEW month...NEW runners... NEW graduates...COME on IN!

[Oldfloss]

Ramble rhyme !

Spring is sprung

***

The grass is riz

I wonder where

Our runners is!

***

In the country,

In the towns

On the mountains

On the Downs.

***

Where it's warm

Or where it's chilly

On the flat

Or where it's hilly !

***

So

***

Spring is sprung,

The grass is riz

Let's find out

Where our runners is.

***

I'll share now,

My place, with you

Before I know it

You'll share too !

***

Hello and WELCOME! WHITE RABBITS !

The sky is blue, the sun is shining and the Corner door is open!

The coffee is on, the smoothies are blended and there are snacks a'plenty.

Grab your cushion and sit a'while.

First of all, HUGE apologies for my Floss rambling ode, ( with apologies to Spike Milligan, also)!

I just could not resist.

Here we are starting a brand NEW month, and here on the forum, meeting lots of brand NEW runners, NEW graduates and making contact again with returning runners, who are NEW re-graduates!

Wow!

What a forum full of runners!

So... I got to thinking, which can always be worrying... I am repeating C25K again, after too much time out and a whole load of life issues, ( and dreadful weather too, that have done their very best to stop me running altogether ! )

Now I am beginning again, I am trying to choose my routes a tad more carefully, choosing the ones I know and love and as I move on, I will be, still choosing, not just those well loved routes, but ones that mix my runs up. Because I have being running so long, I feel that for me that will be my plan.

For the new runners amongst us, it may be important to stick to the same route...it is all personal choice.

This led me on to thinking, where I regularly run, and my favourite routes. My friends who know me well , here on the forums, know this already. My beloved fields. The location for many, many, many of my runs since I began and graduated in 2015 !

Those fields and the tracks on them, are a massive part of my life. They saw the beginning... they have seen me smile or frown, they have heard me laugh, cry, sing and shout, They have encouraged me, they have comforted me, wrapped themselves around me with the beauty of Nature, and they have always, always, been there for me, All weathers, and all seasons, Constant, yet ever changing.

My very favourite running location.

I am so lucky, here, because from your post and photos if you use them, you allow me to share your running locations with you.

I know where my fellow Admin's run... I know where many of my forum close friends run... I know were my besty,  Bluebirdrunner runs.

I know who runs by the sea.  SueAppleRun or inland or in a city,,, I know who runs in foreign climes sometimes  Yesletsgo , who runs by canals,  Mummycav , or by wonderful harbours.  MissUnderstanding ... those who are close to me and those further afield..  TailChaser and  Katnap ,  Dexy5 and  aliboo70 .... I run in so many great locations... vicariously !

I do not know, necessarily the name of the town or village , but the kind of area. I know where many of these folk run and I share their runs with them, when I read their posts...it is fantastic!

So.. your turn now, and I am so, so, hoping that some of you will be willing to share, in a reply, with a photograph if you are able, to. You don't have to give any personal info' like a name or anything, just tell us, where you run and possibly your favourite route?

I am really hoping you will pop in and share.

We are all runners... we may run on our own, but we never run alone. So wouldn't it be great to know , where, we are running !

Looking forward to seeing some of you here soon!

Oldfloss x

[Dexy5 Graduate]

When I was doing c25k I took a photo on each run, but we were only able to put a picture on our own posts then. I was so amazed at how the plan got me running at the age of 60. Sharing things on the forum gave me lots of support , especially from  you  Oldfloss and I have made so many friends on the HU forums.

Here is a pic from my run today.

Sunny seaside view

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

Oh my...blue and blue!!! Things have moved on so much haven't they? I didn't even take photographs at the start and had to learn to include them..now... all manner of display !So good to see you here today and what a lovely run that must have been...

Friendships forged here are a real unexpected benefit aren't they ?

Thank you so much for sharing x

[aliboo70]

Aaah lovely poem and a great idea for a post Oldfloss my friend! Sharing this photo at around Mile 11 of the Needles HM last year, I'm happy to be near the end and to see friends at the water stop who doused me with their water pistols. I love this area for its beauty ! Xxx

Always grateful for friends made here ,it's a really special forum !

After coming to the end of Tennyson down to the water stop with water pistol cool down!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to aliboo70]

Hello you...welcome...your cushion is always here, waiting. That is one great photograph! You can just see and feel the joy you have there.

You do live in such a stunning locational area...some of your runs are so spectacular...

Our friends here will be glad to share these runs..

Thank you so much for popping in...sit a while.

Take a well deserved breather x

[Yesletsgo Administrator]

Great poem Oldfloss

I suppose I do get around a bit, photo is my last run, Greece, but I've also run in France, Germany, Poland, Russia and Italy. Hottest run was near 30C, coldest around -8C.

If you've never taken your running shoes with you on a holiday a treat awaits

Having said which, the fields which are a 5 minute walk from my home are possibly my favourite - dead flat, well maintained paths, ever changing fields, the occasional horse or llama to spot and a wonderful tidal river running alongside. Plus of course our wonderful British weather means it's usually a decent temperature so you can just get on with your run.

So, feeling worn out at the recollection of all that activity I'll sink into a cushion and join you in a cuppa if I may

Older woman running by the sea with a tree in the background

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Yesletsgo]

Hello and welcome to you! The cushion is a well travelled one...like its owner! You have run in so many wonderful places, hot and cold...

Your photos of your runs, here in the UK too, so beautiful and a real mix... we really do have to get out there in all weathers!

Thank you so much for taking time out to sit with us a while...take a breather before you have to get back to things!

PS

Old woman indeed !!! x

[Yesletsgo Administrator in reply to Oldfloss]

A year older today

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

I’m old and new… where I liked to run most was the North Wales coast (though not on the beach, that hurts 😂) and the hills of the Peak District. I guess that means I’ll run pretty much anywhere as those two sets of runs are polar opposites. I shall be restarting in the hills… not much choice around here 😂

Really excited to be back with old friends and meeting some new ones is gonna be amazing. Just that run one in my way now… I can’t wait and probably won’t.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Not so old and not new

Good to see you here...your cushion has been so empty for a long while! Those hills? We just get over 'em

Your runs on the beach... ouch... don't we just remember the pain!!!! Your runs in the Peak District.... truly beautiful...

There are loads of old friends here, who will be so glad to spot you and loads of lovely new friends here too.

Welcome back !

PS

May I post our photo please?

[Jancanrunagain Graduate]

mainly in the hills of Le Marche which test you with gradients of pain, blustery winds, glorious sun and a cornucopia of locals who encourage me on, even though we are in road cycling territory really.

But this year in Le Marche will be our last so I’m not sure where the runs will find me after this. For now this will do nicely

Hills of Le Marche

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Jancanrunagain]

Oh my. Good to see you here...and some really testing running routes tackled! Beauty...and a beast?So...new routes beckon? A move on the cards .. and exciting new routes .

Well wherever your runs take you, there will always be a cushion here, just waiting for you x

[Jancanrunagain Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks Floss - those cushions are extra comfy!

[TailChaser Graduate]

A fabulous poem Floss, love it!! All the best with your new journey and enjoy the ride 🐌😍

We’ve come such a long way because of this forum and made so many friends (including your lovely self!). This evening I was out running with ShakeandRun (who amazingly isn’t on this part of the forum!) and meeting her was a real case of Six Degrees of Separation. She was a member of Katnap ’s C25k athletics club group but also Sandie1961 ’s best friend! I think I’d been on here about 18 months by that time. I’m now been a member for just over 7 years! Here’s a photo of us all in February this year after the big hill sausage run.

3 runners in warm coats after a run

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to TailChaser]

Hello and welcome... all three of you... You run in so many locations and have made so, so many friends right here on the forums... do you have a favourite route? I should think it is hard to choose!

I shall mis Monsal so much, but you will all have a great time.... ! think of me please, as you race along that most glorious route... well worth a visit from any of our runners who can get there !

Meantime, catch your breath, and sit a while... plenty of snacks this morning!

[T2runner Graduate]

Not got a running area yet, but the Norfolk broads await, my plan from my first graduation that was never fulfilled. Learnt that lesson and my beloved rivers will see a new me this year, my 1st park run was just off the broads and very scenic for a senior school. My running shoes will accompany me to Egypt in may as we celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. I will be sure to post some photos of me running.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to T2runner]

Hello and welcome! Now that location in the Broads, that you have in mind sounds really super...and Egypt ! Oh my... we shall all be waiting for those photographs!

Thank you for sharing!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Hi Floss, White Rabbits indeed!

The grass is griz, but Mr Bbr has given it a tidy up trim today.

I have been re-doing thec25k plan this winter too, as you know.

One of my run days has been a new evening one, done while Mr Bbr is at his physio class.

Its around the edge of a big parkland, opposite the sports centre. Well lit and frequented by many runners I have felt safe there running after dark with my head torch.

But, glorious upon gloriousness the clocks changing meant tonight's run was in full sunshine. Banks of daffofils and wild flowers, nodded as I ran past, green tipped branches waved in the blue sky, it was just lovely.

I have recently been lucky enough to enjoy little runs out on a coast path which were a joy too.

My most favourite runs have been the ones we have shared, and I was particularly proud to wave you off and watch your triumphant return on your HM run a few years ago.

So much has happened for both of us, and indeed all of our forum friends, but as Tbae rightly says 'the magic thread' we all picked up when we began our c25k journeys is very strong, and holds us all together. A running family.

Here is a picture from my run today. The next one is a bit more scary, but will be fun I know, I will so miss having you there this year.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Hello and welcome... grab a cushion and sit a while... ! It is good to know that you are ready for the big day! I will be there with you... whispering in your ear... slow and steady

You run in some beautiful places...that area you run in sounds ideal, location and safety too. I know you enjoyed your runs at the coast...they are so different !

Friendship has no finish line... how true that is, and how many wonderful friends have we made here on these forums... I hope your new runners do the same!

You will have a wonderful day on Sunday and we all look forward to that post! x

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

💚xxx

Tall shadow and Daffodils

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Love that ... xxx

[LiisaM Graduate]

Wow! I have not heard from you in so long! I am still running and have been wondering how you were doing. I’ve slowed down now being in my late 70’s and recently referred to my running as a “joggette” instead of a run.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to LiisaM]

I messaged you 3 months ago.. you didn't get back to me Good to hear from you.. tell us where your jogettes are !

[LiisaM Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

I will email u!

[MintT Graduate]

Thank you for the warm welcome and inspiration to keep going.

I used to run in Cornwall but now North Portugal, where the sun doesn’t always shine! Fortunate enough to live by the coast so many beautiful morning runs along the river that meets the Atlantic

North Portugal

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to MintT]

Oh my...just beautiful.. Cornwall to Portugal and a wonderful location in either one...That photograph is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing with us x

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate]

Aaah spring has sprung hoorah!! When I started we lived in a more suburban area of London and I plodded round the streets not very inspiring, always ran past the hospice where my dear Mum had her final week always gave it the 🫶 it started me running of sorts as I did lots of fundraising.

Now I’m semi rural and have had to change my style as running across fields in all weathers can be tricky but oh I have so embraced nature and love it so much!!

Currently out of action as I have a perforated ear drum due to having the cheek to fly off on holiday it didn’t end well 👂my head feels like it’s in a bucket it may take another week to heal so I’m resting but looking out at the blossom and the flowers and the fields of joy!

Happy running whatever you are all up to and Oldfloss loved the poem ♥️

Rough track up to fields

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Wavy-chick28]

Hello...welcome.Sit...rest and recover...you poor ear!

Ypu did start on the suburbs I remember and now..oh my..how beautiful your routes are.

Embracing all that nature has to offer is just amazing...all seasons have their charms. Although, a wet and wild day can test even the staunchest of spirits .

Thank you so much for sharing...heal well and enjoy the Spring sunshine x