Liverbird New Year's Eve Marathon, with GB Ultras, 31.12.2023

Last marathon for 2023! 

I've never run a marathon in Liverpool before, which being half-Scouse myself, needed correcting. Being home for Christmas meant it was quite a short drive to the start, at the Mersyside Police Social Club, on the River Mersey, just outside Liverpool.

Andrew and I woke up at 5.30am (which was a relief, as I was having a nightmare about chairing an online meeting, wearing just underwear, with all the Big Wigs at the Whittington, and the microphone on my computer wasn't working, so I switched to my i-pad, but in the process the i-pad slipped so that everyone could see I was just wearing underwear). 

It was a relief to wake up and run a marathon, to be honest.

The course was 4 laps, along the river and back. It was really nice, running along by the sparkling water, looking at all the new views and landmarks. The other runners and the the public were all so friendly, it was really good fun. 

It was very windy, making running in one direction very difficult, and the the other direction quite nice (like all runs of late). The rain mostly held off, which was a nice surprise, given the weather of late. 

I fell over once, on the second lap, and landed very gracefully (if I say so myself) by sort of sitting down (any excuse for a break), and on the third lap ran into a bollard at the exact same place. 

It was great to see lots of familiar faces up north!

It was nice to round off the year with a marathon. 2023 has been a great year of running adventures, I've just been looking at my spreadsheet and thinking back over them all...many with Sarah, and lots with Andrew. And been lucky to spend time with many friends along the way. I ran 54 official events this year, of which 27 were marathons (3 in Spain), and 27 were ultra marathons (including 2 x 100 miles, 1 x 112.3 miles in 24 hours, and 1 x 200km). Plus plenty of "non-offical" running adventures too (am up to almost 80 non-official marathons/ultras now) with Alan and Tara!

Happy New Year to all, and may 2024 be filled with the happiest of times and all good things! 🧡🩷💛💚💜💙🩵❤️

Christmas Jubilee River Run, marathon with Running Miles/Phoenix, 21.12.2023

Just time to squeeze in a last chat-athon with Sarah before Christmas, at the Christmas Jubilee River Run with Running Miles powered by Phoenix. 

It was a new route for me, along the Jubilee River near Slough. 5 laps made a marathon, and I found it a very nice place to run. 

Met Sarah in the front carriage of the Elizabeth Line very very early (thank you Sarah for getting up at a completely unreasonable time of day, so we could be finished by lunch time so I could go to work in the afternoon!). We got off at Slough a bit after 7am, and realised that it was still dark, and we didn't have headtorches. Oh.

Happily, it soon got light. I say light, I mean relative to being in total darkness. The morning was drizzly and murky, and overwhelmingly grey. Storm Pia also seemed to have sent it's winds down south, making running one half of each lap very difficult, and the other half quite nice! Plus screaming into the wind is exceptionally good therapy, and irons out all wrinkles. 

Many animals to spot along the way; cows (moove over), Christmas and non-Christmas horses, a giant flock of parakeets waking up for the day, tiny dog, three legged fluffy dog drinking a puddle, geese, and seagulls. And by the last couple of laps the sun came out, and we could see Windsor Castle!

We had a lap and a bit of tough northern love with James (everyone's either first or second favourite northerner, subject to ongoing debate), which if I was of a more sensitive nature, would have given me a complex about being old, being too bendy, and serious cause for worry about my hair falling out. Fortunately, I am EQUALLY Northern (as proved by the figure below), and thus relatively unaffected by tough love such as this. Much northern love to you James, and thank you for some really fun miles! 

Congratulations to Louise who ran her 100th marathon today, with guide runner Jon. Absolutely amazing!

Thanks Rik and Team Phoenix/Running Miles for an excellent morning. Merry Christmas one and all! ❤️💚❤️💚

Phoenix Running - Christmas Jumper Friday Run, marathon, 08.12.2023

All train journeys are now marathons in themselves. 

I got up at 04.50 so as to be able to catch the 06.50 train, to discover on the way to the station that the 06.50 train was cancelled, due to lack of staff. I assume that was due to the strikes going on for however long they are going on for at the moment. Is a strike that lasts this long actually still a strike, or is it now normal?? Could I drive a train? I can drive a car, can it be that much harder? Could they privatise individual trains? So a group of you could buy a train together, and run your own service for yourselves, then if it was late or cancelled, you would only have youselves to blame? In fairness, I would strike every Monday, given the opportunity. These were my thoughts in all of the copius time I had, waiting for a train that was actually running, whilst wandering around London in the early morning darkness. Saw the Christmas lights. Did some online shopping. Had a coffee. Finally (and feeling quite acomplished with all the tasks I had completed), a train left, and off we went!

A Christmas-y day by the river, to celebrate Sarah's 350th marathon - WOW! The theme was Christmas jumpers, and there were some excellent choices on display. Bizarrely, given it is December, it was far too hot for Christmas jumpers, a balmy 11oC and sunshine. This was all thanks to me, as I had forgotten to bring my sunglasses. 

Many, many dogs out (some love Christmas outfits, some really don't), and all of the swans, but no Dimitri. I expect he is wintering in Spain, and who could blame him.

A chat-athon was completed.

Congratulations Sarah! 

A mint Chocolate Orange for finsihing! Or, is it a Chocolate Mint? Anyway - YUM! 

Thank you Gavin for my amazing surprise gift! 

Thanks Rik and Team Phoenix for an excellent day of festive fun.

The Lanzarote Marathon, 02.12.2023

A Spanish adventure with Andrew, Sarah, and Jon (and Soup and Audrey, Andrew's new sliders).

It was my second time to do the Lanzarote Marathon (first time last year), and again it was great fun! 

Flew out early on Friday, and 4 hours after leaving chilly London, we got off the plane into the warm. Admittedly, it was like a monsoon, but at least the rain was nice and hot (and not unlike a power shower).

Headed off to pick up our numbers for the marathon, and signed up to the Santa 5km, too. Happily, the rain stopped in time for the start of the Santa 5km, and it was the best fun running around Costa Teguise dressed as Santas, and the whole town seemed to be smiling! Ho ho ho!

The marathon the next day was also excellent and good fun. Sarah and I were told more than once by supporters to stop talking (even when we weren't at one point, which seemed a bit harsh). Even after all these years of talking our way around runs, we still learnt new things about each other!

It was hot and windy (especially on the way back). I like the route, it's a bit undulating in parts, which mixes things up, and I love running by the sea, past the palm trees and cacti. The atmosphere was great fun, and the aid stations were very good. Each had little 330ml bottles of water, which are my favourite size to carry along. Plus coke, fruit, and electrolyte drinks were available too. We had brought shrimps and Kendal mint cake, to feel at home!

There were so many people there from back home, it was great fun bumping into everyone during the runs, and during the whole weekend.

After the run finished on Saturday, we had a couple of days to relax, which we mostly spent swimming in the sea, climbing volcanos, drinking sangria, visiting the market in Teguise old town, and magnet shopping (which took longer than usual). 

A fabulous adventure altogether! 

Running Miles Ricky Races Marathon (23.11.23), a half marathon with Tara (24.11.23) & Saturn Running Beer and Bear Marathon (26.11.23)

Running Miles, Ricky Races, Marathon, 23.11.23

A cheeky Thursday chat-athon with Sarah! Lovely day for it, and apart from a couple of hours of greyness, it was a beautiful sunny day.

I love this route, and it was my third time here. Plus, the route is a little bit long, so that means extra chat time for free! For a marathon, it was 8 laps all around the lakes (Swan Lake, and Seagull Lake), and through the woods. As the light changed, the colours on the trees changed, so each lap was like being in a totally different place. Autumn is definitely the most beautiful time of year.

Favourite bird of the day award went to "teenager swan", who for the entire morning stood in the middle of the path, with brief moments of getting in to the water to submerge his head, before stepping back into the middle of the path, and totally ignoring everybody.

Chat agenda included work angst (tube ride PLUS 2 laps), packing lists for Lanzarote, benefits of afternoon tea, mountain weekends, dogs (including lost ones, and ones in coats), football (yes indeed), jumpsuits, November snot, and the pitfalls of instant communication. Also, fabulous to have some Sean miles, and lots of catch ups too. 

And, we reinstated our half way Freddo strategy. Hurrah!

Nice to catch up with Craig and Tony afterwards, and brave the journey back towards London together, just like old times! 

Half marathon with Tara, 24.11.23

A Friday adventure to Guilford, to meet Tara at the Pilgrims Way post box, to begin a 13 mile loop up to St Martha's (to earn our Cake Pass for later), along the Downslink, Fox Way, and the River Wey, and back to Guildford for waffles, shopping, and making ourselves smell nice in Lush. 

Saturn Running, Beer and Bear Run, Marathon, 26.11.23

You could tell the temperature had really dropped today - it was freezing, and there was a lady walking along knitting gloves (she actually was!) But, wrapped up, it was a fun Sunday saunter along the Thames with Andrew and Sarah, with lots of the usual crowd out - to celebrate Kerrilee's birthday - happy birthday Kerrilee! 

Remembrance Double Marathon weekend

We Will Remember Marathon with Saturn Running, on 11.11.2023

This event was at the Lee Valley White Water Centre, which is not very far from our house at all, and so it was nice to just have a short and easy journey to the start.

I love it here, and have not run here for a few years, and it was so nice to be back, running along the paths and trails, by the water and through the autumn colours. The weather was outstanding. Imagine!! Bright blue skies and sunshine, and chilly but nice to run in once you'd warmed up. The autumn colours of the trees was just beautiful against the sky. 

The route was 6 laps for a marathon, including a first lap of northern abuse (aka encouragement) with James. There was also a two minute race freeze at 11:00, with it being Remembrance Day, where everyone stopped, and the park fell silent. 

I enjoyed the run, and felt happy just running along. Its funny, I think, that although you are moving so much when you run, that you can feel so still and calm inside your mind when you are doing it. I suppose that it is quite a meditative process, and I am reminded on days like this how helpful I find it and how much better it makes me feel.

It was great to see many running friends out, and thanks Saturn Running for a great event! 

Remembrance Marathon with Phoenix Running, on 12.11.2023

A not so sunny day, by the River Thames! Although, all things considered, the weather really wasn't even a tiny bit as bad as it was meant to be.

This was a huge event, about 400 people doing the half marathon (two laps) and marathon (four laps). It is built around the 2 minute race freeze at 11:00, which is a very special and beautiful moment to be part of.

The sun actually almost came out for eleven, and the bells were ringing half muffled beforehand, so it was a reflective and peaceful atmosphere. 

I find this route difficult, especially the part through Hurst Park, which seems to last for million miles, and the stones are too sharp 😆

But it was the best day, and it was fantastic again to see so many running friends out and about. Had some good chats and catch ups, and it was a brilliant day all around. 

Thank you Sarah for our chat-athon! And according to Facebook, this weekend was our 5 year friend-versay! Chat X 5 years! 

My first ever Phoenix events were 7 years ago almost to the day, which was also my first double marathon event weekend....I just re-read my blog about it ( here ) and I have loved it since my very first event!

Thank you Rik and Team Phoenix!

Saturn Spooktacular Chasing Numbers Run, 50km, 03.11.2023 & Phoenix Tiaras and Tutus Two, Marathon, 05.11.23 (my 300th marathon)

Saturn Spooktacular Chasing Numbers Run, 50km, 03.11.2023

Three weeks of chatting to catch up on with Sarah made for a fabulous Friday 50km!

And (finally) a run with (barely any) rain!! In fact, a lovely sunny day running along the Thames from Runnymead, amongst the autumn colours and leaves.

There was a lot of work angst to work through, so we had some therapy laps. 

Then we spent some time catching up on the status of some new houses being build on the river, and chose which ones we would buy (sigh).

Also spent some time trying to work out what the willow sculptures were in the meadow (Sara Holmes willowtwisters ) and the big bronze chairs (Hew Locke's The Jurors ).

And the rest of the time we spent catching up, and also lots of chats and hugs with the troupe on the towpath. A fabulous day! 

Thank you Saturn, Nathan, Katie and Tracey for an excellent event and for looking after us (and keeping the cookie box full up despite our best efforts!)

Phoenix Tiaras and Tutus Two, Marathon, 05.11.23 (my 300th marathon)

For my 300th marathon celebration Rik very kindly made a Tiaras and Tutus Two event (after the Tiaras and Tutus event for Sarah's 300th at the start of the year). The medal was now green, and so outfits were planned accordingly!

I loved every moment of the day!

(Apart from the journey there, which included the bus not turning up, the Plan B taxi also not turning up, not being able to get into the underground, and then the train being delayed. But I am sure there is a moral to this story somewhere? Maybe, never give up?)

The whole day was amazing, and I loved running around in a tutu and a tiara again. Fancy dress, I feel, is like dressing up for a wedding, or having pancakes on pancake day. When I do it, it's such fun, that I vow to do it every day throughout the year...and then never end up actually doing it again until the next occasion.

The fancy dress generally seemed to be a hit with the public, and we only had one conversation which could be perceived as less than positive, with a cyclist who, after weighing up our explanation, concluded "you do look a bit weird, but fair play". I was most offended by the "a bit" part. I was going for "total" weird, but there you go. 

The Swan Spa was flooded, and all the swans were looking extremely clean (as well they might, I suppose they have been having a constant shower for about the last month, with some power showers thrown in from the various storms). Dimitri seems to have moved, which is a shame firstly because I miss him, and secondly because the council have redone the part of towpath his boat used to be moored on, so now it's nice to run (or strut, in Dimitri's case) along. 

I was so delighted that the cake from Rinkoff's Bakery went down a treat!

I am really feeling so grateful for everyone who came, dressed up, smiled and laughed, for the presents and cards, and for all the kind messages. I really don't deserve any of this, and I am feeling so overwhelmed by it all. 

Thank you so much Rik and Team Phoenix for putting on the event! And thank you to you all! I love the friends I have met through my running, and the wonderful community that I am so lucky to be a part of. Running has been a part of my life for so long, and I appreciate every day that I am able to do it, and know that I am very lucky. 

Some memories of the day! (thank you David for the photos!)

The LDWA Founders Challenge, 30 miles, 21.10.2023

 A trail adventure with Andrew, in the Surrey Hills.

The Founders Challenge is an annual event, remembering the founders of the LDWA - Alan Blatchford and Chris Steer. It starts and finishes just outside Guildford, and is a circular route, all around many of the places that are significant in the LDWA's history.

It was the 26th running of the event, and that first time I have done it officially, but I have done versions of it with Tara and Andrew during our Surrey Hill adventures, and I love the trails in this part of the world. When I run here, I feel free, and happy and calm. 

As no run is complete presently without the addition of a storm, this weekend it was time to be joined by Storm Babet, who was not shy about putting in an appearance.

We registered, and drank a cup of coffee, slowly, whilst delaying going out into the rain. Another participant arrived, and registered, and the marshal asked "is it brightening up out there?" He replied "I'm confident it's going to brighten up", whilst zipping up his waterproof to the top.

Thus instilled with confidence, and caffeine, we headed out into the mud monsoon.

To be fair, the weather wasn't really as bad as it could have been, the torrential rain was only torrential on and off, and it was actually really mild. Pretty nice to run in, all in all! 

The route was a big muddy, hilly, bog fest, and I loved it! It is such a beautiful place to be, and being at one with nature (literally, after launching knee deep into a bog in the first mile) is just the best medicine for everything (and mud is good for your feet and skin). 

Andrew and I marvelled at how there are so many nice places to run in the UK, and how few dangerous animals there are to contend with, compared to say America. I said, that despite this, I would still like to look in to doing some runs in America, even if there were bears, which along with alligators, were Andrew's top dangerous animal to consider. This lead to naming all of the types of bears we could, which included (and was limited to): black bear, brown bear, polar bear, panda bear, Bear Grylls, bear left, bear right, and teddy bear.

It was lovely to see some familiar faces, and to see Tara who was expertly running CP3! Thank you for the cup of tea!

It was a lovely day out on the trails. Thanks London LDWA and all the marshals for a most excellent event!