I could have continued with “ and what have you done? “, but maybe a New Year’s Post is the right time to pose that question and invite reflections on 2024. Christmas can be so busy; writing cards, shopping, making food, receiving guests or visiting family and friends, or maybe going to carol services or musical events. Running and thinking time can be slightly squeezed out. I usually escape on Boxing Day morning for a gentle 10k (Thursday will be the sixth anniversary of my first 10k) by the simple device of getting up and out before anyone else is awake (bar Molly; but she won’t tell!). It is usually what Coach Bennett would call a Thoughtful Run, reflecting on my past life, the people who have featured in it, including those I so desperately wish were still here and only a Skype call away. Maybe this is a personal thing. Sometimes I just need space.
Whatever you plan to do, your team of admins, temporarily transformed (transmogrified?) into elves, are still around. We would like to thank everyone for their helpful, interesting and often hilarious posts and comments which have kept us all going throughout the year, whether we were nursing niggles or worse, celebrating an achievement or anything in between. We will be responding to posts over Christmas of course, although replies may be a little slower than normal and, in some cases, slightly less coherent 🥴! So do share your news and thoughts as usual if you find that you have the time to spare. We are always pleased to hear from you👍.
Of course, the Christmas Challenge is still going (week 3 closes at Midnight on Tuesday remember; half points are still available for “late” challenges completed before the end of the four weeks of the Christmas Challenge!), so keep those responses pouring in. Have a wonderful time.
Thank you lovely elves for all that you do for us on this forum. I hope you all have a lovely break over the festive period.
Having done parkrun at the weekend, there’s another one on Christmas morning, then I’ll be volunteering on the Saturday as timekeeper 😱. Fingers crossed .
Merry Christmas everybody, and a big hug sent your way Beachcomber66 .
Good morning Dexy5. 🤗 to you too. You will ace the time keeping. I am sure that the RD will deal with what is left of anyone who suggests otherwise. 6 months in the Brig I reckon!!
I'm getting excited now! 1 more sleep until our Christmas Eve services. We've got just over 1000 booked in. I'm going to try & get out early for a Christmas Eve run as I've got no chance on Christmas day. Teenagers will sleep, but the little ones will be up at dawn, I'm sure.
1000 people is amazing! We will have our two boys together today, plus one partner and their dog, which will be great for Molly. Hoping to get out for a trot this morning before they descend upon us 🙂
Hi Beachcomber66 and all VRBs and hope you all have a great Christmas. 😘Things not great here. As well as Kennys daughters operation being cancelled last week(and strike action called off at last minute!) Also no water at Southampton hospital meant transporting to London on Friday for her regular treatment!
I now have Dad in hospital after a fall on Friday. I couldn't get hold of him before going to my works Christmas dinner so popped in there to find him on the floor with a bang to the head,looks like he had been up a ladder( he can't remember anything!) Not sure cause yet,they're thinking an infection has caused extra confusion. Waiting to see Docs today. So more stress and worry, shall be glad when 2024 has gone,not been a great year!
We're possibly at Christmas day parkrun ,are due to do closedown! Xxx
Your family is really going through the mill Aliboo! So sorry to hear that. Mrs BC fell down stairs last Christmas; she didn’t know why either. Hope you manage to get your run in; a good way to manage stress!
Oh that’s so disappointing aliboo70 , you have been building up to that op. I hope it’s not long to the next appointment for her. Sorry to hear about your dad too. I can imagine you will be celebrating a new year more than most. Sending hugs.
A very happy Christmas to everyone, and especially to those of you that give up your time "admin'ing" and generally keeping this forum going, it has kept me going at times this year. You're dead right that running and thinking time are hard to come by in the few weeks leading up to Christmas. In my case it has been particularly hard, it's my first year where I am doing much longer runs (which require more time to be put aside) and this Saturday I went to my Father-in-laws birthday breakfast straight from my run still in my running gear....!
Mother in law's currently in hospital too so not looking forward to Christmas much this year, but we'll try to make the best of it.
I'm well into my HM plan now and this weeks long run is the 15k, so I'm planning that for either boxing day or the day after. Hoping to find a new pair of trainers under the tree (this is a guarantee as I bought them) to do it in. It'll be nice to get out and feel free after a busy and tough couple of weeks.
Thanks IRunning. I am pretty confident about making a Boxing Day run; I will have new trail shoes( also bought by me) but they will take a bit of walking in; a big change from my Brooks Adrenaline. Oops guests have arrived !!
New shoes are in the house, but Santa has them in his secret store for wrapping purposes. They are a bit stiffer in the sole than I anticipated (had a try out run from the shop). Maybe needs an insole or perhaps just careful breaking in. I see my physio on Friday anyway; she will tell me exactly what she thinks! I just need my Boxing Day run 👍.
Thank you Beachcomber66 and to all the lovely admin on these forums - you make it such a wonderful place to share our running journeys. I hope you and everyone else has the best possible Christmas!🎄🎅
Having run today, I think Boxing Day before family arrive, is my next likely run day… I love your idea of a slow contemplative run - a little time for reflection.
Before that, I am looking forward to time with the family and a fab turkey dinner on the big day!
2x sons, plus daughter in law to be, visiting today. I was the steak chef (and shopper in chief!) Mrs BC is playing sous chef 😉. Run couldn’t be accommodated this morning, but having a really nice day anyway. I now have the peace which comes when all presents have been bought, food is organised and guests arrived safely. Enjoy the big day 🙂
I hope all goes well with the physio BC. Your Thoughtful run sounds quite lovely. I'm taking a different approach - risking the wrath of my daughter (head chef for the day), myself, my two boys and her partner are heading to Didcot on Christmas Day for my 50th parkrun! (I almost forgot to go for my 49th parkrun this past Sat which would have rather scuppered my plans 😅.) I'm volunteering on Saturday and on New Year's day which should keep my conscience clear for a few more parkruns in 2025 😍 All in all I'm looking forward to a family Christmas, then tidying it all away and clearing the decks for 2025!
Organised to the nth degree as ever Linda. I might just sneak a 5k in early in the morning. Our younger son is staying with us, but he may well sleep on! Hope your 5Oth goes well; nice to do it with family around. Enjoy your Christmas 🙂
I’d call this a good year overall thanks BC. Mum still keeping me on my toes when I’m there and family mostly in good health. Sad to lose my last remaining Italian relative (other than mum of course) but thankfully there’s always plenty of fond memories to draw upon.
I’ve never been in better shape physically. It’s a battle against time but every little bit helps. For example, as many of us do here, I always take the steps as opposed to escalators or lifts, wherever I am and make a point of squeezing my butt cheek each side as I climb them. No idea if it looks weird or not though 😂 Sometimes I’ll even sprint up them.
Disappointed that the beeb it seems have decided not to air the Repair Shop episode as it features Jay. 🤷♂️
I’ll be spending Christmas day with my mum, brother and his family and then I’m off to spend Boxing Day with my boys. Hopefully I’ll not have eaten and drunk too much as my race is on the Sunday. Gulp 🤭😁😬
Wishing all you VRBs a very merry Xmas and I’ll be reporting back here on my last race of the season.
You have had an outstanding year Brian. It is true that we become more niggle prone as we get a bit older (don’t I know it!) but I think our niggle management improves too; or maybe I am just lucky with my physio! Enjoy your time with family; really precious.🙂
Transmogrify is another of my favourite words so I am very happy to think I might be subject to a magical transformation 🤩🪄✨
Well, I think I have everything done now but, no doubt, something will pop up that I’ve forgotten about!
Our Christmas visitors arrive in the days after Christmas so I can chill out and relax for a few days and, of course, get some running done. I am heading out later this morning to attempt some art for the challenge but I am not at all confident as I am rubbish at running images! But it will be fun trying 🤗
Have a very Happy Christmas BC and all my VRBs 🎅🎄🎁 x
Hi IP. I am up, breakfasted, quietly digesting and still hopeful of a little trot today. This morning might turn into a “I meant to get x from the shops…” scene. We will see how things look a little later on.
We used to joke that Transmogrification meant being changed into a cat! The Art challenge is a tough one for we country runners, but I am sure that you will find a way. You always find a way! Oops; BC junior has appeared….breakfast service required 🙂.
No I couldn’t do anything on the country roads apart from a ribbon and maybe a balloon at the end 🤣 so I headed to the arboretum. I was trying for a sleigh - what do you think? Santa’s bag is hanging out the end.
After looking at my previous runs I noticed that I had done great Santa hat shapes there before but I thought that was a bit tame so I went for something a bit more adventurous. If you don’t think it looks like a sleigh then don’t give me the points.
I think that this is a very fine piece, which I will entitle “Santa on Sleigh with Full Sack”. I can detect underlying neo-impressionist influences with a subtle, but unmistakable, hint of Picasso. In years to come it may grace the Tate Modern or be sold for a fortune at Southeby’s. Is it worthy of the points? Res ipsa loquitur 🙂
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Weekly Chat.... 20th to 26th Merry Christmas! 🎄 🎄 🎄