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!
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.
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