Saturn Running Chasing Numbers 50 km (10.02.23) & The LDWA Punchbowl 30 miles (12.02.23)

Saturn Running Chasing Numbers 50 km (10.02.23) - 04:53:47

50km Friday! I was not feeling at all like I could run this morning. I got to Egham on the train, then had a wobble, and decided I couldn't do the run, so put it off for a bit by walking around Waitrose, under the pretence that I needed to get water and sweets, neither of which I needed to get in the slightest, as Saturn Running has an excellent aid station. After this procrastination, I still felt like I couldn't do it, so went on another detour to get coffee. After this, I seemed to have exhausted all the distractions Egham had to offer at 08:00 on a Friday morning, plus the coffee started to kick in and I felt a bit more like seizing the day, so I eventually made it to the start of the run, at Wraysbury Skiff and Punting Club in Runnymead. Once I got started, I felt much better, and enjoyed the run when I'd got going. It was a wonderful sunny day, so I made the most of being out in the sunshine, and stayed out to do a 50 km. Lovely to see lots of friends out and have some catch ups. Thanks Andy for some miles! And thank you Team Saturn for a great day!

Afterwards, it was nice to stretch the legs with a wander around the Kew Orchids after Hours event, and to stay at the Barnett Hill Hotel in Wonersh for a treat.

  

The LDWA Punchbowl 30 miles (12.02.23) - 06:51

Today was my fourth time at the Punchbowl, and it's one of my all time favourite events. The LDWA put on such good events; good value, friendly, great aid stations, and always the best routes that an area has to offer, and the Punchbowl is definitely one of my favourite ones. It was great to be back  for the first time in four years. Lots of familiar faces there, and it was a very sociable time indeed. 

Run/walked around with Andrew, and it was the best adventure! With GPS and a route description, we found our way around the new route with no problems. The route started and finished in Tilford Village Hall, and went south past Frensham Ponds, around the Devil's Punchbowl, north to Elstead and Puttenham, and then back over to Tilford. 

I love the legend (or, legends, as there are a few) behind the name, The Devil's Punchbowl. The best, in my opinion, is that the Devil (in the Middle Ages) was becoming very irritated by the number of churches being built in Sussex. So annoyed, in fact, that he started to dig a channel from the English Channel, and all through the South Downs, in order to flood the area and destroy everything. How dastardly. Digging commenced, but the Devil reached only as far as the village of Poynings, when he heard a cockerel crow (Dimitiri? Ken?) The Devil upon hearing the cockerel, assumed that dawn was about to break, and (for reasons that are beknown to only the Devil), he jumped into the neighbouring county of Surrey, and landed with what seems by all accounts to have been quite a thump, and created the Devil's Punchbowl. 

Although it was overcast and drizzly, the scenery was still beautiful. The combination of sandy trails, pine trees, and hazy blue horizons is so splendid! Spring is definitely on the way, as the snowdrops were in full bloom.

It was great to see my Auntie Nicky and share some miles just before CP1, and later on, catch up with Kasia and Ellen. Great to see as well Rob and Jan, Victoria, Dimi, Dr Rob, Costas, Tracey, Matt, Jeff and Andrew. 

Thank you Surrey LDWA for a top class event!