Weekend round up

Running Miles, Ricky Races, Marathon, 25.01.2024

A run around the Rickmansworth Aquadrome, which is a very lovely place to run, all around lakes and pretty woods on good paths. 8 laps made a marathon. 

Ran a lap and a half with Tony, chatting away and learning about horror films. Then had half a lap on my own, reflecting on my new horror film knowledge (including how to take revenge on satanic worshipers by baking cakes with the blood of a rabid dog, but being mindful of how that can quickly get out of hand). Then 5 laps with Alice, chatting about many things, covering topics such as biscuits, desserts, holidays, books, and other random things. It was a lovely morning of running, and feeling better for it. Thanks Tony, Alice, and Running Miles! 

Phoenix Running, Mermaid Run, Marathon, 27.01.2024

A day of mermaid mischief on the Thames! A chilly day running the Walton Bridge route. The medal was a mermaid, so we dressed accordingly. 

Disaster struck just before half way, when I made a close acquaintance with the floor. Thank you everyone who checked I was OK, and thank you Rik for sticking my knee back together at the aid station! No harm done, just missing a chunk of knee, and got a bonus bashed elbow thrown in for free. Woo hoo! 

Lots of bird life out, including Dimitri on his morning walk, and the lovely black swan was around today, looking pretty.

 

Phoenix Running, Unicorn Run, Marathon, 28.01.2024

Today was the turn of the unicorn. Some fabulous unicorn outfits! Any excuse to dress as a unicorn is good enough for me.

We ran in the Sunbury Lock direction today, which is always nice, and especially so on a sunny day. 

An altogether fabulous weekend of running. Thank you Team Phoenix! And to Sarah for putting up with me and my clumsiness for another two marathons! 🧜‍♀️🦄💕

Phoenix Fridays New Years Run 19.01.2204 & the LDWA Winter Tanners 30 miles 21.01.2024

Phoenix Fridays New Years Run, 29.5 miles, 19.01.24

A freezing Friday down by the river, running 9 laps with Sarah. Even some of the river had frozen! It was cold to start off with, but after a couple of laps of running and chatting, our muscles and vocal chords warmed up, and then the sun came out (sunglasses on!), and it was a stunning and bright day down by the water. 

Saw Dimitri, which was a relief, as I haven't seen him for a while. He was fluffing his feathers and looking resplendent in the sun. The swans and geese were out in force on the towpath/ swan spa. Learnt some "educational" facts about geese. Two birds had a fight right in front of us, necessitating an actual diversion. The fallen tree obstacle was still there, until around lap 3 when a man with a chainsaw arrived on the towpath. I was hoping he was headed for the tree, and not just a random man with a chainsaw on the towpath, which would have a been a bit disturbing, but by the time we came back the tree had gone, so all good there. 

Thanks Phoenix for a fabulous Friday! 

LDWA Winter Tanners, 30 miles, 21.01.2024

I love this event! It is my 4th time doing it (2018, 2019, 2022 and now). It's organised by the Surrey LDWA and has 20 mile and 30 mile options, and each year they create a new route. This year's was especially super, and was 30 miles of trails, hills, mud, chatting and laughing with Sarah, amazing checkpoints and marshals. 

One of my favourite parts of any LDWA event is the route description, which as well as guiding you carefully around an intricate route, also contains guidance on how to approach any challenges you should face whilst completing said route, such as "ascend relentlessly", and "keep ahead without deviation or hesitation". There are also reminders to carry out certain instructions "WITH CARE", and even "WITH GREAT CARE", but there are also suggestions that it is OK to approach other sections with a more relaxed attitude, such as "continue ahead regardless for 4 furlongs".

I can never remember how long a furlong is. I've looked it up again now, and it is 1/8 of a mile, but I expect I shall forget that again immediately. But no worries, for the main purpose of the furlong instruction, is that it gives permission to gallop along like a horse for a few steps (or maybe that's just how Sarah and I interpret it). 

In weather news - the weather today was about 12 degrees warmer than it was on Friday, which meant I really should have amended my clothing choices, but didn't, so got too hot. On Friday I was complaining of being too cold. Literally, I am never happy. Also Storm Isha was also heading in the Tanners direction; as the day went on, the wind was really picking up, and cunningly seemed always to be blowing in our faces, whichever direction we were running in. 

There were many many different types of mud (each with it's own different noise); squelchy mud, sandy mud, sticky mud, slidey mud, over the shoe mud, good mud, bad mud, minor mud and major mud.

Almost fell down a hole, but that's OK because it's Holy Sunday! And learnt how geese wash their necks!

Such a great adventure! Thank you Surrey LDWA for an excellent event. Lovely to see so many friends out too.

Saturn Midweek Chasing Numbers Run, 50km, 05.01.2024

First event of the year, and back into the groove! I wasn't altogether feeling the groove first thing, really, but once I'd met Sarah at Staines, and we'd walked to the start and begun our (2 week overdue) chat-athon warm up, I was feeling motivated again.

Due to the recent slightly damp weather, the course was changed from Runnymead (underwater) to Staines (only slightly underwater). 7 and a bit laps for a 50km, and the river level was rising by 1cm per hour, so the parts of the path that were underwater were becoming narrower each lap, which was a good motivation to keep moving! 

We added on to our "choosing a favourite house" lap, the extra criteria of "how high are it's stilts?" 

Great to share some miles and chats with Tony and Andy, too!

When running on this part of the Thames, there are always many swans and ducks swanning around on the river banks. Now the river banks were submerged, they were paddling furiously around in the currents, seeming quite confused as to where their usual perching points had gone to.

The baubles were being taken down from the big pine tree on the river bank, which officially marks the end of the Christmas season. Boo, bah humbug, etc!

Afterwards, time for hot chocolates and Christmas celebrations (5th January will now always mark Christmas!) and lots of catch ups in the Last Hop. Thanks Saturn and all the marshals for a brilliant event!