Saturday 13.11.2021 - Squid Run 29.5 miles (#178)
Following a slight dip in form and mo-jo since the Halloween 100, I was a bit unsure of myself and my ability to hold it together this weekend! Turns out I needn't have worried - too many friends there to have anything but an amazing weekend!
Andrew's first runs back since having Covid - super proud of him for knocking out two solid marathons back to back!
Saturday was Rob's 150th marathon - superstar! Absolutely loved being there on the special day, and sharing some miles and smiles on the towpath. Some more miles with Andrew, and some with Richard (thank you for filling me in on the rules of the Squid Games!) plus many more chats made the miles fly by. There were a couple of hairy encounters with some of the more "assertive" swans near Walton Bridge. Saw the cockerel out for a walk with his owner (this is a thing, yes). He had an almost fight with a small dog, who was approximately the same size as him, but after a couple of enthusiastic and self-assured run ups, the small dog took note of the cockerel's crowing and wing flapping, and beat a shame-faced retreat back to his owner.
We got two medals today, which was very exciting. First, the Squid Games one. After some further education on the Squid Games when discussing the medal with the barmaid in the Weir afterwards, I learnt it has a triangle on, because it is the symbol that armed guards wear on their masks, and that there are also circle ones (normal workers) and squares (managers).
The other medal was a pick and mix medal, and I love it as a whimsical reminder of Covid lockdown rules (not that we all need reminding).
I ran 9 laps, 29.5 miles, in 4:56, which is a PB for me for that distance, and I'm pleased about that, and it has helped build my mo-jo back a bit!
After completing the runs, I spent the afternoon in the Weir pub with Andrew, Rob and Annabel, drinking hot drinks, eating chips/crisps/soup/Andrew's giant meal, and some fruity cider (watermelon and lime!) and discussing all manner of things, including but not limited to, celebrating a 150th marathon, Maleficent and Disney costumes, Las Vegas, the pointlessness of spiders and flies, wasp stings versus bee stings, the dangers of open water, 100 milers, and dogs. Such a fun afternoon - thank you guys!
We caught a lift with Rob over the river, and stayed at the Holiday Inn. I was very excited by this, as it had a swimming pool, with a jacuzzi and sauna, and I hadn't been in a swimming pool since before Covid! Great way to stretch out and relax after a run, plus a delicious meal with the nicest waiter in the world, and it was the perfect day.
Sunday 14.11.2021 - Remembrance Day Marathon (#179)
I tried a porridge pot of coconut and chia seed porridge this morning for breakfast. It wasn't nice. Fortunately, I had brought emergency hot cross buns (hot cross buns are always great in an emergency situation), so breakfast was saved. After a short confrontation between Andrew and the hotel receptionist over the taxi, we were soon on our way in said taxi to pick up Rob and head back to the Excel Centre in Walton for the Remembrance Day Marathon. There were about 400 runners there today I think, and it was such a brilliant day. Saw so many people I haven't seen for ages, since before Covid in some cases I think. It felt like old times (BC - Before Covid). Such a buzz. Had an amazing day, thank you everyone! Huge congratulations to David and Peter on your #99 Flake Marathons!!
The Remembrance Runs are really lovely, they are built around the 2 minute silence at 11:00 - there are marshals out on course with airhorns signalling the start and end, and everyone stops for the 2 minutes.
Ran the whole way with Sarah and Andrew, and had another chat-athon/ laugh-athon. We covered a range of topics, almost as varied as on 100 chats, including; which houseboat we might have/ if you could get sea-sick on a house boat/ if Rik could get a Phoenix houseboat, soup, gorillas on the Thames, bellringing and half-muffled bells, sad dog stories and Andrew's favourite dog joke, and the seafood section of the aid station and how foam shrimps must not be too cold. During lulls in the conversation, we spotted house boats with faces. Surprised houseboat.....
And melancholy houseboat....
Saw so many friends that it's impossible to capture all the moments I will remember with a smile from today, but here are some!
Beautiful medal!
And thank you Sarah for my cute pin for my Halloween medal!
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