SVN Zodiac Series - Leo and Cancer Runs (marathons #165 and #166)

On Friday, I went to my dear friend Becca's Hen Do. It was a fabulous affair - afternoon tea in Windsor, much bubbles, cocktails, and long overdue catch ups with friends, some of whom I haven't seen literally for years! My head was so full of bubbles and joy, that on the train back home, I decided that going to Gravesend with Andrew in the morning, to run a marathon with him, was a good idea, and so I entered. 

The idea seemed less good, when I had to get up at 05:00 the next morning, and actually do the idea. The marathon was #1 of 12 of the SVN Zodiac Series in Gravesend, the Leo Challenge. Had a 3 mile cycle, a second breakfast at St Pancras, a train ride, and a 2 mile walk to to start, so by the time we got to the Cyclopark in Gravesend, I was feeling ready for bed again. But it was all very exciting once we got there, and there were so many friends there too. I ran my fastest time (4:07) since the Malta Marathon just before Covid started, which was rather surprising, given my preparation for it had been a lot of prosecco, having a crisp sandwich for dinner at 11pm, and getting 5 hours sleep. But there you go, the world is a random place. 

We stayed overnight in the Purple Palace, with a room overlooking the running route. It felt quite nice just to sit and look at it, instead of running around it. And today, it was more of the same for the Zodiac Cancer Challenge, but a slower one today to relax, and again it was fun. Loved seeing everyone, and thank you Traviss, Rachel and Karen for taking care of us all!

I wish I was there for the full 12! I never have liked the Cyclopark much, but I loved this weekend, and I think the course is growing on me, and I'll miss it and seeing everyone this week! Good luck to everyone doing the 12, and will be back next weekend for some more!

Lancaster Mountain Running Weekend 13-17.08.2021

Time for the recce crew to be reunited, for the first time being altogether since before Covid! A long weekend up to Lancaster for some running in the hills and countryside. Caught the train up on Friday after work with Andrew, with a cocktail and a murder mystery and a chilled dessert....

...and met Alan and Tara at the Purple Palace (Premier Inn)....

On Saturday we ran a loop up into the Forest of Bowland and back to Lancaster, a marathon overall. A major research project had been undertaken in the Purple Palace the night before, to try to ascertain if grouse shooting would be underway (Duke of Westminster owns the forest, and grouse shooting starts on the 12th August), but happily (for us, and for the remaining grouse) the shooting had only been for a couple of days so far, and there was none this weekend. Confident we would therefore escape an untimely demise, we set off. First along the cycle path along the River Lune, to Caton and then up into the Forest of Bowland (which interestingly, for a forest, has no trees).

Nice run along the valley, with views up to where we were headed for...

Found an abandoned church, so stopped to explore....

After a few miles, it was time for checkpoint 1 and some vodka shots...

And a quick check of the trusty Marble-ometer (used to test if a gradient counts as a hill or not)....

Soon after, we found a unicorn (perhaps had too may vodka chocolates)...

Before embarking on a part of the route that was a little "tricky"...

We continued the gradual climb up the ridge...

And had a checkpoint at the top, to admire the views....

From here, we continued along this ridge, before dropping right down and having a paddle in the stream....

Before heading up the ridge on the other side of the valley....

Our destination - The Ward's Stone, called for more vodka chocolates...

...before it started raining, so we legged it pronto along the ridge, taking in the "atmospheric" (or, cloudy) views....

Next destination was Grit Fell...

And shortly after, Clougha Pike...

Before heading off the fells and into the valleys towards Lancaster, stopping to look back at clouds gathering on fells.....

In Lancaster, we had takeaway pizza near the castle, not a bad spot for dinner! 

Day 2: caught the train up to Arnside, to do an LDWA route, The Silverdale Circuit, which with the run to and from the station, turned out to be another marathon. 

I love this area so much; growing up near here, we used to come here a lot at the weekends for outdoor adventures, and so as well as being a beautiful part of the country, it has many happy memories for me! Not least, the Fairy Steps! Legend has it, that if you can climb the steps without touching the sides you will see a fairy at the top/ the fairies will grant you a wish. It was a lot easier to get through as a kid, I can tell you! 

We made it, and at the top our wish came true, and we were granted a checkpoint.

There did look to be some fairies living around there, but upon knocking on their door, they didn't seem to be in (off busy granting wishes, I expect).

A few more miles of dreamy scenery, before Tara sustained a nasty insect sting, and there was a pause for first aid and to admire the views over Morecambe Bay.

Soon we approached Milnthorpe...

And had a checkpoint in Dallam Deer Park, where we were ambushed by the local ducks. 

Before setting off again through the park.

Did someone mention a marble?!

Views to the bay above Leighton Hall were a bit cloudy, but still quite something....

Then it was some nice flat running through the Leighton Moss RSPB Reserve, to Trowbarrow Quarry.....

....a loop around Hawes Water, with some helpful direction....

....and back to the coast of Morecombe Bay with a great section along the coast path.

 

And a final climb up Arnside Knott for fabulous views over the bay and the Lake District.

And then back down the other side into Arnside, the train back to Lancaster, and another pizza by the castle!

Fantastic weekend - the recce team rides again, thank you guys!

Marathons #163, #164 and #165

A triple marathon weekend - trying to get back into back to backs, and been missing the marathon circuit over lockdowns! Fortunately, in time for this quest, the forecast was for wall to wall sunshine, and beautiful sunny weather. Oh wait, no, that would be a crazy idea, what with it being August and all. It was more along the lines of, how shall we say; bucketing it down/ it never rains but it pours/ tipping it down/ lovely weather for ducks, etc etc.....

Saturn, Midweek Chasing Numbers - Practically Perfect in Every Run, 06.08.2021

 

First one down in Egham, 6 x 4.4 mile laps with Alice and Craig along the Thames. On the train on the way there, there were two policeman in my carriage. 

Policeman 1 to Policeman 2: "I've cancelled my CAT"

Lady sat near to policemen: "I wish my cat would die."

Policeman 1: "What?"

Lady: "My cat, I wish it would die."

Policeman 1: "Oh, I was talking about cancelling my leave" (and followed an explanation about the acronym of CAT and annual leave) "But, do you you not like your cat?"

Lady: "No, I love my cat. It's just it's very tying, having to be back all the time to feed it, you know, you can't just go out and change your plans, and when you go on holiday......." etc etc, and so followed a long conversation about cats and dogs....

Which was topical, as it had been raining cats and dogs. Escaped the worst of it though while we were running, and it was pretty much dry the whole way. Felt good, and it felt comfortable doing 4:18.

Saturn, The Runners' Memorial Run, 08.08.2021

 

Loved this event and the idea for it. Saturn Running put on a run that was free to enter, and all donations for entering went to charities that were nominated to remember runners and runners friends/family who have passed away recently, and there were signs up all along the course with those peoples names. At 11:00 the air horns went off, and wherever you were on the course, we had a minute to reflect and celebrate those people. I think starting again after that minute and remembering how many people used to be around and who aren't any longer, made it even more special to be surrounded by friends. Ran with Andrew, and had plenty of other catch ups with friends along the way. Got wet a few times, but not as bad as I thought it would be. I love this part of the Thames, running east from Staines, 6 x 4.4 mile laps for a marathon, it felt nice and comfortable in 4:32, and got to catch up with lots of friends along the way. Thank you Saturn Running for a brilliant idea and a lovely day. Off to the pub with Dave and Andrew afterwards, eating giant chips and skinny chips, and discussing the Jersey trip, halloumi, and the exchange rate in fresh fish of a painted canvas.  

Phoenix, The Solar Series Uranus Morning Run, 09.08.2021

Today didn't go entirely according to what my plan for it was, but then, that is not unusual! Been fighting with migraines the last couple of weeks, on and off, and it had decided to almost come back, so my double marathon I was planning for today was in jeopardy! I almost didn't go this morning (looking at heavy rain pouring outside at 6am has the effect of making a migraine worse), but I'm glad that I did, because even if Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head, if you're Singin' In The Rain with your friends, it turns out that every cloud has a silver lining.

Today's run was in Harlow in Essex, which is quite easy to get to from my house, so I decided I didn't really have an excuse not to at least go and see what happened. Got soaked on the way there, but Craig was starting his 3rd lap when I started my 1st, so we ran the next 6 together, and even though the weather was a bit "temperamental" it was fun, chatting away the laps. Thanks Craig! The route was pretty tough underfoot - loops along the River Stort, so the towpath side was quite nice, but the other side through the woods was like a very long and very deep bog. I made it to lap 8 before falling into the bog. I was so muddy that members of the public actually pointed at me and said "look at that!". Thanks very much for the support. At the end, I had to hose myself down with the hosepipe at the rowing club. I only did the morning marathon in the end, as my head was starting to hurt, it was peeing it down again, I was covered in mud, and I felt that the phrase "don't rain on my parade" was a bit redundant in this situation. 

But, it was the perfect day to be feeling under the weather, as never was there a day when it was so obvious that we are, always, underneath whatever the weather decides to do. Which of late, is rain. A lot. But there's nowt we can do about that. So we should think of rain as being just confetti from the clouds, so let's dance in the rain, and let a smile be our umbrella!

Thanks Rik for a great event, and for making my Garmin watch make a coffee! Good luck to all the people doing the 10 in 10 or 20 in 10 - you are all amazing and I hope the weather gets better, and the mud dries out!