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Saturday 19 February 2022

Sci-Friday Marathon with Phoenix Running, 18.02.22

A Friday marathon along the Thames, with Sarah, and Storm Eunice. 

It was a marathon of two halves; one way was like running into a wind tunnel and being pushed backwards, the other was like having someone very strong pushing us along! It was a full body workout, trying to stay upright. 

There was the bit by the rowing club which became known as the "red zone", where it was so strong we couldn't run, and grit and spray pelted us.

My favourite moment was when we ran past Alice and Craig, they were going in the direction with the wind behind them, and we were running the other way into the wind, but it was a calm moment. Suddenly, there was a giant gust, Alice and Craig took off and accelerated in one direction, and Sarah and I came to a complete standstill in the other direction. And then we stayed there for a bit, firstly because we couldn't actually move, but also becuase we were laughing so hard into the wind. Laughing and shouting into the wind is such good therapy.

Quite a lot of things happened. A boat became detached and floated off (saved by a man from the marina, and a runner). A tree fell down and knocked over the turn around sign. 

Plenty of other bits of trees fell off. The poor daffodils were putting up a fight trying to stay rooted. Most of the swans were in the Swan Spa by Walton Bridge, sheltering from the worst of it, but a few hardy souls were braving the river and riding the waves. I never seen swans in waves before. Or waves on that part of the Thames, come to think of it. There were seaguls over the river, just staying still in the air. There were musical noises from the derelict bit near the leisure centre, sounded like recorders, and gave a new meaning to wind instruments.

It only rained on and off a bit. It hurt when it did. It was very very sunny sometimes with bright blue skies. The clouds were dancing up above. The sky went dark amd stormy. Then it did it all again. 

Sarah and I were pleased to see there will still planes flying. Its Pete's 100th marathon this weekend, in Seville, and we knew people would be flying out today, so were worried they wouldn't make it, so were happy to see the planes. Afterwards,  Jon told us that of course there were planes in the sky, becuase it was too windy for them to land! Hope everyone made it there OK.

Thank you Rik and Phoenix for a very Fun Friday! Half way Freddo, plus an extra emergency Freddo, and cake.

I know nothing about sci-fi but I think the medal is Star Wars, and I like it. It's also heavy, so will come in useful for weighing down in the next storm.

Thank you Sarah for another adventure! I love running into the wind with you! And thank you Jon for the lift! 

Sunday 13 February 2022

Marathon #200 weekend - Runificent (12.02.22) and Hug, Marry, Run Away (13.02.22)

 A great weekend in Walton-on-Thames, with Phoenix Running - thank you Rik and Team Phoenix!

Saturday was the Runificent Run - the lovely Annabel's birthday run. Annabel loves Malificent, hence the name, and the theme was all things Disney. There were some fantastic outfits out on the towpath, and some very memorable ones as well. I loved being Minnie Mouse with Sarah, and Andrew as Mickey Mouse, and Jon as Elsa. I've only even run in fancy dress once before, as a cat, but that was at night time, so I suppose no one really saw. It was the best fun. So many smiles and comments ("these mice are a bit lively") on the towpath, children waving and shouting "Minnie Mouse!", a little girl in a car winding down the window to shout "bye bye Minnie Mouse" and cars tooting. And the little dog that ran round the corner, saw us, and turned right back round again. Thank you Annabel (and Happy Birthday!) and Rik for such a great idea, and a fabulous day - smiling and laughing is good medicine, and I felt much better. Thank you Sarah and Andrew for your company and the smiles. Who is your foot? And are we here, or there? 



Sunday was the Hug, Marry, Run Away valentines run, and my 200th marathon celebration. I'm quite surprised I've got to 200 to be honest, it sort of just happened, which I guess is a good sign that I've just been enjoying running and pottering along with having fun at events, and they just sort of all add up really. It's only been 3 years since my 100th, and my first 100 took me 9.5 years, so things have sort of escalated I suppose. I am really very lucky to have this all as a part of my life, and be part of such a wonderful community. I am really grateful for it, to be able to escape from the world and be in a little bubble of running and smiles is such a nice thing. 

Happy birthday to Vicky and John today, and my, was there a lot of cake!! This was just a little bit of it.....

There was also a lot of pink (it was Valentines, after all)...


We got away without getting wet until the last 2 miles, which was excellent, given the forecast, and if we'd stopped less and eaten less cake on the way round, we would probably have escaped without getting wet at all. But that would have meant less talking and less cake, so obviously wasn't an option. 

It was great to see so many friends today, and thank you everyone (both there today and who has sent me lovely messages), for all of your support and kindness. Thank you Rik for presenting my 200 patch!



And thank you so much everyone for the lovely cards, gifts, and cakes. I am so very lucky indeed.





And I love the sparkly medal 💜💜💜


Thank you everyone. Here's to the next 200 and more adventures (sherry glass at the ready)..... Lots of love 💜💜💜