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!)