Because...this is what friendship is all about...

[Oldfloss]

A restless night, following other restless nights; days that begin with lonely and hidden tears and end with the same.

Too many of these, lately... but;

This morning, browsing and replying to the C25K and the Bridge posts, then popping across here, as I do, in order to catch up with friends, I caught up, also, with linda9389 's Weekly Chat.

Just what was needed, when, it was needed.. I replied and then ...

...I ran.

Now ... quite unashamedly, but with apologies to John Masefield, the writer of the original poem, which I adored as a child.... here are the words that filled my head, as I ran across my beloved fields.

*******

“ I must go down to my fields again, to the lonely field and sky,

And all I ask is for strong legs, and a trail to lead them by;

And the earth's kick and the bird's song and the white clouds racing,

And the sunlight glow on the field's face and a new morn' breaking.”

*******

I returned home, refreshed and renewed.

Thanks for the gentle reminder, Linda. We are indeed, all, extraordinary.

Oldfloss x

Original Poem

Sea Fever.

By John Masefield

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

Nice poem for runners Oldfloss, what I remember from primary school regarding John Mansfield Sea Fever original was *I must go down to the sea again to the lonely sea and sky, all I ask is for strong? *forgot the rest, but your version is excellent 🏃✅

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to AlMorr]

That is the one Al... I knew it then and still do, off by heart. I thought it was so evocative and conjured up so many wonderful images.

You know that I have these images as I run... the world is still full of wonder, even though sometimes, our view may be dimmed.

Linda's post reminded me how strong I am able to be. x

PS

Here are the lines you forgot..

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;

[AlMorr Half Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks for the reminder Floss👍✅

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to AlMorr]

It is a lovely poem, Al... my Mum and Nan were great poet lovers and taught me so many, as I grew up...x

[Annieapple]

🍏🤗 A really big hug !

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to Annieapple]

Oh gosh... that was a HUGE one... grateful thanks to you xxx

[Elfe5]

Hi extraordinary OF 🤗🤗

I love that poem too - and your version.

Big hugs & healing running to you. Xx

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to Elfe5]

Hello you x How are you.... ?

Thank you so much... the words just popped into my head this morning... and took me across the fields and across the years to my childhood.

All hugs very gratefully received xxx

[Elfe5 in reply to Oldfloss]

Good thanks, I reached end of C25K week 5, including running in Iceland, then caught Covid. Still tired & tight chest, but planning to get back in my running shoes this weekend. I’ll go gently & see how the breathing goes.

Poetry evokes so many memories- I was brought up sharing my Mum’s passion for poetry.

Go gently dear OF & enjoy your running 🤗🤗

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

A gentle hug from me too OF. Keep running. Keep looking for the wonderful. And keep being extraordinary xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to linda9389]

Thanks you... you made my day, literally. xxx

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Glad the run did you the world of good🏃‍♀️😊 you are a very valued lady here with plenty of friends to support you, life isn't easy but keep on going , love the poem xxx 😘

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to aliboo70]

You know that all too well Ali... you have had more than your share of tough times and you have shown us by example, how strong we can be...x

Thank you so much for your wise and kind words... and thank goodness for our running x

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

😘

[Bluebirdrunner]

Hi Floss,

I love your poem adapted from John Masefield's Sea Fever, and that you felt like writing it on your run shows that you truly find yourself in these moments, and just be... extraordinary. 😊

As Linda said to you, remember you are not alone, you have so many caring friends 'met' through running, and we are here to share and listen and to give support to each other.

We have a date, next April. It is what keeps me inspired, keeps me trying my best, keeps me moving forwards.

Your poems and runs and those of our many running friends are so much more than about running, they are about being our best self.

Life goes on, we do our best, its enough.

Happy running I will be there.🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️💚💚xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

I can hardly wait... BBR .... It is so good to be reminded and to remember that however alone we may feel, we are never truly alone....

You are right. We do what we are able... and that is enough x

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

And sometimes it is more than enough 🥰

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

A lovely Floss rendition again. It looked and sounded the perfect morning for that run today  Oldfloss

And to quote from Animal Farm “All animals are equal but some are more equal than others”. I would change that to all runners are extraordinary but some are more extraordinary than others. You never fail to support the folk on the HU forums despite the other things going on in your life.

Wishing you sone good night’s sleep tonight. And a gentle hug from UTS. 😉

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

😍

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to linda9389]

UTS is a very good, hugger !

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to Dexy5]

Thank You.... kind words make comfortable sleeping companions.... and do thank UTS too.

It was indeed, a short, but very sweet run x

[Mudita11 Half Marathon]

A gentle hug from me Oldfloss . You are extraordinary and I do hope that you get better sleep tonight.

Spike Milligan had his own version of your poem which has always amused me and I hope it makes you smile.

I must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and sky. I left my shoes and socks there, I wonder if they’re dry.

Xx

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to Mudita11]

I remember that one!!!! I loved some of his rhymes !!! He was very funny at times...

It has made me smile and your words are so kind... it just proves that friendship can reach so many of us, all over the world, through our runs... Thank you x

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Mudita11]

😀. Spike was hilarious. Such an amazing chap to listen to - and read of course 🙂

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to misswobble]

I have one of his books somewhere. I need to fish it out!

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

So have I! It’s in my hall as I type as we’ve turfed out a bookcase to have a new floor laid. All the books I’ve not seen for ages have resurfaced 🥰

My sister was like a kid in a sweet shop. I fear I’m now short of a few Agatha Christie’s 🙄

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

Watch the Parkinson episode where he talks about an hilarious train journey 😁

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Oh, I love the original but I love this tribute too Oldfloss ! So glad the run helped a little…I shall pop over and read your reply on Weekly chat. Take care lovely lady.x

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks you...Weekly Chat was just what I needed. The run was good...and I even managed a little burst at the end! X

[misswobble Marathon]

lovely poem 🥰

I loved Cargoes! My mum would reel it off. ,I thought it sounded so exotic 😀

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to misswobble]

I'd forgotten that one...just had to find it in my poetry books! Thanks you xxx

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Gosh, that turned on a light in what is left of my brain Floss! Poetry, school days, A levels …….and Spike Milligan, the Telegoons …..life before work, lots of laughter. I hope that your run lifted your spirits and they stay that way. Warm Yorkshire hugs on their way to you 🤗.

We have 40 mph gales and rain at present, but the worst is supposed to clear by 11 am. Unusual for me, but I think that I will leave my run for a while and let things calm down outside, and enjoy this peace within. 🙂

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to Beachcomber66]

Laughter is the best! Spike Milligan's sketch on sellby dates? Do you recall that?The run did indeed lift the spirits and the kindness of friends here.. immeasurably so.

I hope the storm has ababated and the calm and peace remain, with you.

Thank you x

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

I don’t remember the sell by dates!! I do remember the tale about him falling off his bike when he said “ luckily the ground was there to break my fall.”

I have had a good day and run to come..sun is shining…can’t be bad.🙂

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

I ran a midweek 7km when it was blowing 🌪. I put my long run off to the weekend as the Beeb weather gave a glowing forecast 😎🌝

Hmmfff! I got drowned 🙄. Still, it wasn’t windy 😁

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Very windy is worse than rain!👍

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

I walked to the supermarket and back today. Good job I was weighed down with shopping as it was really windy 😀

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Better tomorrow 👍

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Good morning Floss ❤️ What a lovely post to read first thing in the morning.

I am so happy that you can get so much pleasure from your runs and poetry 🤗 and friends of course 🥰

I wish we could sit by the fire and share a cuppa but in the meantime, I send you a very big, tight hug and wish you kinder days xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you. To have the support of friends makes a huge difference x .It would be so good to share time together...and who knows? One day?

Hug gratefully received x

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

Lovely 😍 just lovely, so many kind words and hugs from running friends. Have one from me 🤗xx

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you... received gratefully.

Folk are supportive and so understanding,...it has lifted me up immensely x

[drl212]

What a beautiful poem! Thanks for sharing.

I’ve been struggling to get out these last two days and feeling a bit weary. I think it’s just a delayed reaction to the how busy it’s been and stressful.

Hoping the poem will inspire me…

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to drl212]

A bit of fun on a much needed run... thank you

You are amongst friends here... they will support and empathise. We are here for each other, Keeping each other afloat . Maybe a gentle , off plan run will do the trick for you.