52 Marathons in 52 Weeks ... all done!

Today (20.10.19) was back down to the river near Reading, with Saturn Running, for the Zoolanders Run, for marathon #52 of 52 in 52 weeks....

It didn't go entirely smoothly.... I enjoyed the first lap which I ran with Richard, but then had a right nightmare for the next 3 laps, felt sick and had stomach cramps, so didn't eat anything and then ran out of energy and felt dizzy. I gave myself a talking to at the end of lap 4, that if I didn't get out of this rut and eat something, this was going to get worse! So had some coke and some cookie, and fortunately I started to feel better again soon after, so enjoyed the second half more, so at least I wasn't a complete disaster!

Thank you so much George and Saturn for making it special, from the really nice announcement George made at the start about my 52 marathons, to all the encouragement at the aid station, and all the kind words and support!

Now I have a vague sense of emptiness, which always happens at these moments, when I have achieved a goal I set myself. I have started some therapy for my depression recently, which is proving to be very helpful, and I'm really glad I started it. My constant sensation of feeling like I've not achieved enough, and instantly comparing myself to others who have done other things, and immediately setting another goal, is something I have been exploring. I am meant to be validating my experiences/ acheivements out loud, and stop and think about it, instead of moving straight on the something else. This thought makes me feel a bit cringey to be honest, but I'm trying to be a good patient and do my homework, so here goes, I guess.....

I've tried not to worry about what I'll do next, and instead look back at this journey, and realise what a great ride it's been, and how lucky I am to have had a year full of new experiences. I did 1579.1 official miles altogether, plus probably quite a few extra free miles, due to navigational issues (a.k.a. being lost), including 14 ultras. 33 of the runs the were along the Thames! Along the way I completed my 100th marathon, did my first 10 marathons in 10 days, and did my new PB for 100 miles. I made loads of new friends, and explored some new places. And, very special to me, we (thank you for all your support!) raised over £1200 for The Royal Marsden and Pelican Cancer Foundation in support of my dear friend Hannah (who will always continue to be my inspiration and my hero), when I did my Running for HANNAH Challenge in the summer.

Other things of note, I got better (well, a bit better - I'm not going to get carried away with this validating myself malarky) at map reading and using a compass, so maybe my 'bonus miles' will start to reduce now. Or maybe not. I was lucky to celebrate with others on their own different journeys, had my first shots of vodka during a marathon, followed up shortly by my first trip to a pub during a marathon (although, I've gone back to just drinking water now, and coke in emergencies). 

I got many opportunities to be in that special moment, very early in the morning in London, on the way to a race, the quiet moment before the city wakes and it's still dark, when the promise of a new day and the adventure that awaits is in the still air (well, if you can block out/ navigate the drunk people swaying home from the night before). And I love that feeling at the end of a day of running, when you're totally knackered and hurting, but it's a good feeling, becuase you did something you wanted to do! 

OK. That's enough validating myself for a first attempt. I found that easier than I thought, once I got going. Don't want to get too carried away....

...so back to today.... Thanks a million to all the other runners who were so kind and supportive all the way around, and shared laps, hugs, words of support and smiles - you are all brilliant, and it was perfect to spend #52 with you all! And thanks again to Saturn for an extra special day. And I love my new Saturn buff! Today was a really great day 😁

Going to chill out for a couple of weeks, then my next marathon is Athens, which I'm really excited for.... 

...I know I'm not meant to be jumping straight in to the next thing (but let's be realistic...a lifetime of a habit isn't going to change overnight), but international marathons are definitely something I want to do more of... plus, I want to complete my A-Z of marathons, of which I still need Q and Y..... and then there's......

OK. Sorry. Enough. For now....

52 in 52 - I did it! 😊😊😊

Marathon 51/52 in 52 Weeks....The X-Run, 19.10.2019

Saturday morning (early, very) and time for a marathon! Quite excited for this weekend, as it's (hopefully) going to be number 51 and 52 of my 52 Marathons in 52 weeks. I never really thought I'd do that, and actually I haven't yet, but it's looking like I might, so I am feeling pretty excited that I might manage it.

So, time to stop swanning around...

...stop ducking the matter...

...and...

Back to Saturn this weekend, on the course near Reading, which I really love. It's even changed a bit (to avoid the busy bit by the lock) and now goes through the nature reserve, as well as through meadows and along the river, so it's even better than it used to be. Saturn runs are really good, relaxed, super friendly, and a great aid station (including three of my favourite things: peanut pretzel parcels, watermelon, and grapes) and I always have a good day there. Love them!

I felt like today was a big hug, with lots of friends there. Got to run the whole marathon with Sarah, which was really good fun, and the miles passed quickly. Thanks Sarah! 

Lots of laughs, including running past the rowing club, when the coach shouted "don't move the body!" Blimey. Glancing apprehensively at the river, expecting to see a body float by, I was relieved to see only a boat full of rowers all out of sync. Phew.

It was a bit hard today. I think my legs are still a bit knackered from the hills last weekend. But whatever. It was a beautiful sunny day by the river, running with friends, and a few sore muscles aren't going to spoil that. 

Thanks Saturn, and everyone for a great day!

So, will be back at Saturn tomorrow, and hope to do #52....

Running adventures in Wales....

I've done almost four full weeks at work since my last holiday, which is far far too long, so this weekend came around at just the right time. A four day weekend (which, if you ask me, is how long every weekend should be, at least) was on the cards, and an adventure in Wales was awaiting! My friend Alan has just completed his PhD (congratulations, Dr Alan!) and had planned a group trip as a celebration/ beacon of light to aim for at the end of the long, dark, and despairing tunnel that is writing up a thesis. 

I've never been to Corris, which is in Snowdonia, the destination for the weekend. I was excited for this because 1) one of my favourite things about running is exploring new places, and 2) I am one quarter Welsh, but have spent only a few days there in my whole life. 

Corris is a village in south Snowdonia. It's name is derived from corres, which is Welsh for "a female dwarf", which probably describes the small river it is next to, which flows into a bigger river. The closest train station is Machynlleth, the ancient seat of the Welsh Parliament, which is a short bus ride away. It is quite a long way away, in fact....

It also has a great independent hostel, which is fairly simple, but comfortable and homely. it had all the things you need to relax after days in the Great Welsh Outdoors, plus plenty of things that I hadn't realised you would need (Tutankhamun, for example), but made me all the happier for them being there.

We pretty much had the place to ourselves really, apart from Krav the friendly cat...

After we had settled in and refuelled with tea and biscuits, it was time for a circuit training session in the garden, followed by a Krav Maga session run by Alan and Tom. I wasn't sure what to expect about Krav Maga. It's a self defence system, I believe developed for the Israeli Defence and Security Forces, and is very practical, teaching how to deal with real life physically threatening situations. So I wasn't too sure I would be very well suited to it, not having any sort of experience in this type of thing, but I think it's always good to try new things, and go into it with an open mind. Plus, Alan and Tom seemed to be the best teachers to have, and it's got to be a good thing to be more aware of what sort of things could help improve your chances, should you find yourself in a bad situation. Did lots of drills around punching, kicking, escaping from grabs, and putting it all together at the end. I was really surprised I enjoyed it so much! I learnt a lot, and that being small doesn't mean you can't defend yourself against someone bigger!

Saturday was time for some good mountain running. Cadair Idris is the closest mountain to Corris (893 m), and we did a big loop up the mountain....

...with a stop for wild swimming (Tom/Alan = very brave) / wild paddling (Andrew/Hisayo/me = brave enough)

As we got close to the top it starting tipping it down, but a mountain isn't a proper mountain without bad weather....

Happily, there was a stone hut at the top to shelter, and have a snack, to warm up a bit. The weather cleared up a bit later, and it was fun running down the mountain, into the valleys and through forests, and having a picnic in a church yard before getting soaked again a bit later, but it is Wales, after all. What a great run! Feels so free to be somewhere as beautiful and wild as this. 

Refuelling after a long run must not be neglected, and careful attention paid to making sure you have enough cheese...

Sunday it rained a lot, but this was a good opportunity to do a Pilates class and foot exercises lead by Hisayo, and then try the local tea shop, catch a ride on the steam railway (that used to serve the local slate mines, and tourism in the area).....

....mixed in with a short hilly run between showers....

Followed by the pub, of course......

Monday was time for a quick hill session, and some more Krav, this time learning how to defend from a knife attack (which Krav the cat seemed keen to join in with). Then, it was time to head back to Machynlleth, which although doesn't have a Parliament anymore, does have lots of tea shops, and a modern art gallery, which is a good way to spend some time before catching train.

All too soon it was time to head home. Thanks Alan, Tom, Hisayo and Andrew for a great trip! Thanks Wales for being only quite wet, not a total wash out. Felt like a proper get away, and feeling stronger in body and mind.

The Great Barrow Challenge, Autumn Double Marathon Day 2, 06.10.2019

Today it became clear why these runs are called Great Barrow Challenges, not just Great Barrow Runs! Same course as yesterday, but not the same weather. Which was terrible!!! Torrential rain for most of it, and parts of the course were totally submerged in water. Through the forest part, I wished I had my head torch, such was the gloom of the morning, and by the last lap the wind had whipped up to epic proportions.

I found it pretty tough, and I was a bit slower than yesterday, but hey, some runs are tough, but that's OK, because this is a challenge after all! And, although my body was chilled, my heart was warmed with the good cheer and support of the other runners and the marshals. Ducking under the gazebo at the end of each lap to shelter from the rain, and have some laughs and sweets was fun, and lifted me up enough to head out on the next lap....

Plus, getting really cold and wet, makes putting on dry clothes and having hot tea and a nice sandwich from the fabulous lady in the cafe, and laughing about the dreadful weather with everyone, seem like the best thing ever. To be warm and dry again is indeed heaven!

Despite the challenges of today, I absolutely loved this weekend, and my first outing with Suffolk Running Centre/ Great Barrow Challenge. Definitely going to be coming back!

So, that's 50 done of my 52 marathons in 52 weeks challenge. Still have three weeks left, so I think I can do it now. Hopefully I'll do #51 and #52 in two weekends time at Saturn Running.....

The Great Barrow Challenge - Autumn Double Marathon, day #1 05.10.2019

Today was my first event with Great Barrow Challenge/ Suffolk Running Centre. I'd heard really good things about these events, but hadn't done one before, as they aren't easy to get to from home on public transport, and I hate driving after races when you're all tired and stiff.  Well, I hate driving anyway, but especially then. But, thanks to Jon for my prize of a race place with GBC in his charity prize draw, I was galvanised into making myself get there, and I'm really pleased I did, as it was a really great day!

Almost didn't make it, as the car broke on the way, which was quite stressful at the time, but I now appreciate that as I wasn't travelling by public transport, and so didn't have anything to add to my regular "complain about public transport" section of my blog, that the car was just helping me to give me something to talk about. Turns out it's OK, it's wheels were misaligned (don't we all know that feeling) and the tyres were unevenly worn. Thanks Andrew for being there, and knowing everything there is to know about cars. I would still be crying somewhere in a lay-by on the A11 had it been left to me. Told you I hate driving. 

I'm always a bit nervous at a new race, and not knowing anyone, but there was no need. The team were so friendly, and there were several familiar faces running today as well, so I felt right at home at the start, which is really well set up at the Suffolk Academy, with registration, a cafe, toilets, campsite, and even a hairdressers on site. And even a gym, for that post marathon workout. 

The runs start just outside of Barrow, and this weekend the runs are 6.55 mile laps, 4 for a marathon. Laps 1 + 3 go in one direction (yellow arrows) and laps 2 + 4 the other direction (red arrows). I found that set up really good, alternating the direction of the laps made them feel completely different, plus you could see the other runners all the way around so it was nice and sociable too. The routes were along tiny roads and on trails, and were easy to run along, although there were several "undulations" each lap. Undulations is a pointless word I think, we all know it means "hills". So, it was a good challenge, and I felt like it was a very good workout, with nice views all around.

Even though some of the route was on roads, they were very small and quiet, and the cars that were around were all very considerate. I was a bit alarmed when a big convoy of 4X4s turned up just as I was about to start on my next ascent of one of the hilly (undulating) bits, and men dressed in shooting gear all got out. One even wound down his window, and smiled at me, and then started tapping his watch, which was puzzling. I was anxious he meant if I didn't speed up, he was going to start shooting at me, so I then completed my fastest hill of the day.

Turing around and starting on lap 3, I was minding my own business, running by the side of the road, when a **** in a car shot by, ignoring all the "slow down runners in road signs" and beeped at me to move out of the way. I didn't, of course, because I was right and he was wrong. So I gave him evils at him all the way as he drove down the hill beeping away at other runners. I was going to run after him and throw jelly babies at his back windscreen, but I was was worried he was on the way to the shoot and might be armed, so I left it. Plus, it would have been a waste of jelly babies.

Honestly, some people.

A minute later, a massive shiny 4X4 with the number plate MI6 something or other drove past. Oooh. Maybe he was after **** face up ahead, which would explain his reckless speed! He must be a spy, a member of the shooting party must be holding a secret, and he was trying to reach them, before their cover could be blown!

Fortunately, it was now well over half way, so there was limited time to make up too many further far fetched stories. I felt great on the last lap, and loved the finish, and getting to meet everyone there, and refuel with delicious food and cups of tea in the the cafe.

Thanks GBC, the marshals and the other runners for a fab day. Looking forward to tomorrow!