Phoenix Running Hawker Challenge Charity Run (marathon) 29.01.23 + Old Skool Fridays (32.8 miles) 03.02.23

 

Hawker Challenge Charity Run (marathon) 29.01.23

A bit of a grey day in terms of weather down by the River, but big celebrations for Annabel's 200th Half-Marathon! Congratulations to you, lovely Annabel!

Sarah and I somehow managed to get each other around 8 laps, probably mostly by chatting enough so that our legs didn't get a word in, and employing the shrimp/ pretzel/ Freddo strategy. Thank you Sarah for making a tough run still feel fun! 

The Phoenix runs last weekend were all in aid of raising money for the Rays Of Sunshine charity , which works to make wishes come true for seriously ill children 💛💛💛  

Old Skool Fridays (32.8 miles) 03.02.23

Train strikes mean getting around is a bit of a hassle. Ended up staying over in Walton-on-Thames on Thursday night, and it was strange coming down in the commuting rush on Thursday evening, instead of the usual empty early morning train. I think the change in routine upset my delicate balance. I had an M+S picnic when I got there, which was of course very nice. I have this strange thing (which I think is my Dad's fault, as he sneezes a lot), where whenever I eat, I straight after feel really very sick, and then I sneeze, and I feel fine again. It's weird, I know. This time, the feeling of needing to sneeze was so intense, much worse than normal, but I couldn't sneeze. Then I started coughing, and I got into such a state with it all, that I was sick! I'm never sick, hardly ever. It was all very awful, for about 10 minutes, and then all of a sudden, it passed as soon as it came, and I was fine again. 

So, although I was sorry to miss a pub session with Craig, it was lucky I was in bed, where I recovered and watched the Hairy Bikers (who were in Elmbridge, doing Meals on Wheels!) and read a book, and went to sleep to forget the whole episode. 

In the morning, I seemed to have no ill effects, and met Craig for the walk to the start. When when Sarah arrived, we were treated to a Lovelock Lap, when after charming us and doing some bucket list progression work, Lovelock ran off in to the distance. 

It was the most beautiful sunny day on the Thames, and it felt like spring was coming. We were in much better spirits than last week, and the laps went by quickly. We did 10 laps, which is 32.8 miles, for Sarah's 99th ultra-marathon. Congratulations Sarah! 

We talked about reconstructive surgery and having parts of you replaced, the oldest embryos to be adopted and born (30 years after being made), the world's oldest dog (also 30), strange exhibitions on in London, bruises, shrimps and coconuts, the obligatory lap to talk about work, Brazil/Seville, inspected Sarah's 300th medal at one point (beautiful!) and discussed the outfit co-ordination and nails that will be required for the big day, what to eat the day after 100 miles, and canal boats and rescuing cows from canals. We also shared some miles with Dr Rob. 

The journey home was "interesting". After quick power walk to make the 14:10 train which said it was running, we did a final sprint to the station, only for the train to pull out as we approached (you try sprinting after 33 miles and with one of Rik's giant Remembrance medals in your backpack). All the next trains were cancelled! We put into action Plan B - "The Buses". We hopped on the 458, which had the biggest bus tickets I've ever seen, and after initially going in the wrong direction, eventually took us to Kingston. Here, Sarah went on a shopping expedition, and I got on the number 57 bus to Wimbledon. It was all going well, spare for a few traffic jams, until it turned out it was school time, and 100 school kids all piled on. Reaching Wimbledon, a little frazzled by the experience, I found some coffee to regain some energy/ enthusiasm, and jumped on the District Line. At Earls Court, I realised at the last moment I was on the wrong branch of the District Line, and did another jump off that tube and onto the right one. From here it was all plain sailing, to Whitechapel, to catch the Overground to Hoxton. 

Thank you Rik and Phoenix Team for a fun couple of days on the towpath! Well done to everyone, and especially to everyone reaching milestones!

Saturn Running Chasing Numbers Run, 27.01.2023 - 50 km and a PB

I wasn't really feeling enthused for running, or anything, this morning, if I'm honest. But, you should always get up, show up, and give things a go.

The run today was with Saturn Running, on the Runnymead course, which I like a lot. It's nice and traily, and at a pretty spot along the Thames. It was muddier than I was expecting, which was a shame for my new trainers, but hey ho. It was chilly, but very nice for running in, and the sun even came out after a while. 

Thank you Craig for the first three Lovelock Laps, and for cheering me up. I was feeling much better after that, and I had a good run (although missing my partner in crime Sarah), and was pleased with my marathon time. So I thought I would crack on, and have a go at beating my 50km PB. About 1 mile after making this decision, I started to quite significantly regret my choice, when my legs got tired and I started feeling sick. But when things are tough, just keep on moving, eat kendal mint cake and ginger, and in the end you will get to the finish. Thank you Craig again, for picking me up in a low moment, cheering me up again and pushing me to keep going. Plus, well done on your Saturn #100! 

I finished in 4.44.07 which is 27 minutes quicker than my previous 50km PB. I'm really happy about it, as I havent done any kind of PB for ages, and thought I would never do one again. 

Thank you Team Saturn! And well done to everyone!

The Doughnut Dash Marathon (14.01.2023) and the Colliethon (15.01.2023) with Phoenix Running

 A double marathon weekend at Phoenix Running.

Saturday 14.01.23 - Doughnut Dash

The weather was awful, all windy and rainy (until we stopped running). Some of the route was even underwater. But who doesn't like a nice relaxing paddle during a marathon? Just like a foot spa.

A very fun day running with Sarah and Craig, with 8 laps of bucket list negotiations, 10th July holiday preparations, and dodging Dimitri. 

Congratulations to the double 100 celebration of Sam and Denise! And all the other celebrations too. It was quite the party on the river today!

I don't like doughnuts (which is a shame, as they are pretty much the only cake related item in the world that I don't like), but the aid station looked very beautiful, in all it's Krispy Kreme glory. 

Thank you Sean for the lift to the station!

Picked up my 100 marathons in 100 weeks certificate, which I completed in December.

Sunday 15.01.23 - The Colliethon 

Up at 5am for the same again, and Sophie's 100th Marathon! Congratulations, lovely Sophie!

After a little bit of a palaver with finding a bus that was actually leaving, and leaving at the right time, made it to Waterloo and met Craig on the train. After a brief pause as the "train driver was on a different train, which is late" the train driver arrived, and we set off and picked up Sarah on the way. 

8 more laps of fun (excluding a fight with a scoop of jelly beans, which almost turned nasty) with postman Craig and peachy Sarah, and the last lap with the lovely Theresa too. 

The weather was very much nicer today!

Chip buffet in the pub after, with lots of catching up and laughter. 

Learning Section: Running injuries, ribs, and related/unrelated items:

The Bible Lesson today for Sarah and I focused on the story of Adam and Eve and the creation of man from dust, and women from a man's rib. Our Biology Lesson for the day can be summarised in that men and women do in fact have the same number of ribs, and some ribs float. And in my Egyptology Lesson (completed on Friday, with Tara) I learnt how to spell my name in Hieroglyphs (it is a bird, and owl, and two knives, which sounds a little ominous, and I'm not sure what says about me, but I'm sure it says something). You learn all sorts from your running friends. 

A fabulous weekend. Well done to everyone. Thanks to Rik and the Phoenix Running Team! 

December 2022 Marathons

Friday 09.12.22 - Phoenix Running Christmas Jumper Friday Marathon

A chilly day by the Thames at Walton-on-Thames, so the chance to give our Santa jackets from Lanzarote another outing. 

Saturday 10.12.22 - Saturn Running and Band of Runners Pantomime Dame Marathon 

Another chilly run along the Thames, this time from Staines. It was cold, but a nice sunny day, plus every runner got a Saturn giant bobble bobble hat, which was nice and toasty warm. It was fun seeing them all bobbing up and down the towpath as we all ran along. There was some good fancy dress outfits.

Sunday 11.12.22 - Phoenix Running Christmas Jumper Marathon

Today was my official 250th marathon, which I would like to dedicate in memory of my beautiful, brave, and dear friend Hannah. 

It didn't feel like a day to celebrate anything, or even be running, but sometimes I guess you just have to put one foot in front of the other and get something done.

The weather was so cold that the water jugs on the aid station had ice in, and everyone's hair froze, which made for some fabulous hair styles.  

Saturday 17.12.22 - SVN Usual Suspects Marathon

A Christmas holiday weekend in Dover for an SVN double, starting on Saturday for the Usual Suspects, where all the runners names are on the medal. This is the first, and let's face it, probably the only, time that my name is seen on a medal.

It was good to be back at Samphire Hoe, a tranquil little oasis away from all the world and worries. It was a nice sunny day running by the sea, followed by the Christmas Party of the Fenix Four in the Walmer Fish and Chip shop, which surely must be the best fish and chip shop in the land!

Sunday 18.12.22 - SVN Bobble Hobble Marathon 

After a night in the Purple Palace of Dover, watching a cruise ship and marvelling at how many lights it had, and also why a cruise ship would stay in Dover for two days, it was time for round two of the Samphire Marathons. It started off nice with an amazing sunrise, but the weather didn't turn out so nice today, and we spent the laps dodging the waves splashing over the sea wall, which added an extra element of excitement to the proceedings. By the last lap, when it had started raining as well, Sarah and I lost our sense of hummus/ humerus whilst rounding the cone of doom for the final time (whilst being splashed by a wave, and hit in the face with some hail-rain), and were quite content to have finished when we did.

Today I completed my 100 marathons in 100 weeks challenge (I took 87 weeks to do it, and the 100 was made up of 67 marathons and 33 ultra marathons including 8 x 100 milers).

Wednesday 28.12.22 - Phoenix Running Year End Marathon

There was a slight hiccup trying to get to the start, due to the train strikes making the trains start late, and then the actual train that was meant to be running turning out to be faulty. But no worries! I enjoyed spending an hour at Waterloo, I did. I bought my ticket, visited the loos just for something to do, did a lap or two of the station, went to Starbucks, sat in Starbucks, sat on the train, found it was faulty, sat there a bit longer, found it was cancelled, walked all the way back down the platform, found the next train, sat on that for a bit. I was quite sad to leave when we finally set off. Due to these hiccups, we arrived a bit later than planned at the start, but it all turned out fine. The towpath was nice and muddy, and it was nice to be out and about.

Friday 30.12.22 - Phoenix Running Zico-thon Marathon

Today, Sarah and I were treated to 8 Lovelock laps! What a great day on the towpath, and the rain and gloomy weather didn't matter when there were smiles and laughing and catching up to be done. 

Me and medal Zico are now at Gatwick.

Thank you Phoenix, Saturn, and SVN teams for some top events! And thank you Sarah for putting up with me for 7 marathons!

Wishing a very Happy New Year to you all! 💖

The Lanzarote Marathon, 03.12.2022

My first time to do this race, which has been on my wish list for a few years, as it is a big event for the 100 Marathon Club, and many many people have told me how much fun it is.

It's nice that the race is in December, as it's a good time of year to leave chilly grey London for a few days, to catch some winter sunshine. It was a nice temperature there, about 23oC, and for less then 4 hours on a plane, it's a good exchange for the UK winter!

An early morning flight from Gatwick, and met up with friends there for breakfast.

Once we landed in Arrecife, Sarah, Jon, Andrew and I hopped on the Hopper Bus, which took us to our apartments (the Celeste Apartments) in Costa Teguise.

We headed off to the Expo to pick up our race numbers, and signed up for the Santa 5km that evening. This was fun! At sunset, we ran the last 5km of the marathon route, back to Costa Teguise, all dressed up as Santa. It was a great run, but I have to say, it wasn't really hat weather 😂

Afterwards it was time to fuel up for the race, at Juanita Mexican restaurant in the Square (deconstructed fajitas), and catch an early night.

The marathon started at 08.00 on the Saturday, and it was only a 10-15 minute walk from the apartment to get there.

Great to see so many 100 Marathon Club members and friends there. There was a bit of a delay getting started, as there had been an accident on one of the roads the run went along, so we set off about 08.20, after an extra 20 minutes of chatting at the start.

Sarah and I ran together, and it was an excellent run and great fun. The course was 13.1 miles along the coast to the airport, and then back. It was all along nice paths, and was scenic running by the sea. 

It was harder than I thought it would be, and especially the first quarter and the last quarter were quite undulating. It was hot and sunny for the first half, which was a bit of a shock after running in the cold in the UK, but about half way it started raining, which was nice and cooling. Made a mistake in the first part, by following the pacer who I thought was the 4 hour pacer, but if I'm honest it was feeling a bit harder to stick with him than I really thought it should be feeling, and on closer inspection of his flag, it turned out he was the 3.45 pacer, which would explain the punchy pace. So we overcooked the first bit really, but it was a great race, felt good, and it was fun!

Good aid stations every few kms with water, coke, fruit and electrolyte drinks. We also had our own 4 x emergency shrimps, some Kendal mint cake and salt tablets. 

It was a well organised race, apart from going through Arrecife there was a turn that didn't have a marshal or a marker, where a lot of people went wrong, but luckily for us some people in the town pointed us the right way.

The end of the first half and the second half were the best parts, as runners were going in both directions by then, so we saw everyone, which was fun.

Also saw a plane landing!

Saw Jon and Helen at half way, waiting for their start of the half marathon, and Andrew at 10km before the end, waiting for his 10km start.

The finish was brilliant with plenty of crowds. We finished in 4:00:34. Beer and food at the end!

All the heavy rain had caused a problem with the electrics in Sarah's apartment, so the post marathon routine was a bit disturbed! Hairdryer and diffuser, football, post run drinks, poinsettia spotting, and another deconstructed fajita. 

Marathon Boxing Day involved breakfast at Bully's Scottish bar, watching egrets, a walk, spotting grey canaries/pigeons, listening to Andrew and Jon's top facts, lunch by the sea, shopping, a paddle/swim in the sea (warm!), cocktails, watching England win, and a belated post marathon night in Jesters.

 

Marathon Boxing Boxing Day involved another breakfast at Bully's, another walk, lunch, and then travel home.

Thanks Sarah, Jon and Andrew for our first international trip on tour! A fabulous weekend indeed. Well done to everyone. Lanzarote Marathon weekend is definitely as good as everyone had told me it was,  and looking forward to next year!

Phoenix Running Intergalactic Friday Marathon, 25.11.2022 and Saturn Running Autumn Marathon 27.11.2022

Phoenix Running Intergalactic Friday Marathon, 25.11.2022 in 04.00.45

Found a new route to Waterloo, saving half the the time of the 26 bus! Met Sarah in the front carriage of the 07.12 from Waterloo, and walked to the start at the Wier Pub in Walton-on-thames. Lovely sunny morning!

Started off about 08.30 and ran the blue bridge route, 8 laps for a marathon. Saw Dimitri the cockeral, who seemed to do an early wake up call, another one mid morning, and then a lunch time reminder. The swans were in the swan spa, the seagulls and ducks pottering along the river, and it was a nice peaceful morning on the towpath. Lots of catch ups, and a good chat-athon with Sarah, and we finished in 04.00.45, which was our fastest time running together/chat-athoning!

Mint tea, a walk back in the sunshine, and sharing the train with loads of football fans, who seemed to think it was ok to go for a wee without shutting the toilet door.

Thanks Phoenix! And Sarah!

Saturn Running Autumn Marathon, 27.11.2022 in 03.57.12

An extra bonus chat-athon! Today in Reading, which was an interesting place to try to get to with the train strikes on and what not. Worth it though! Timed it well to avoid the rain, and it was a strange, misty, humid type of day. 

Because of all the recent rain, the route was changed to the other way to normal, along the path back towards Caversham Lock. I hadn't done this before, and it was a nice route, with the exception of the giant bridge with the wrong length steps for short people. Enjoyed watching the Sunday morning football in the park we ran through, which was more entertaining than the World Cup has been so far, especially the part where they moved the goal posts (to avoid the mud). Ran over "Halloumi Bridge" which squeaked whenever we ran over it, and through "soggy cornflakes and shredded wheat sections" (to identify the differnet sogginess of the fallen leaves). The swans were all looking smart and unruffled. The man at Caversham Boat Club was putting up Christmas lights all morning, and they looked pretty sparkling across the water, especially the seesaws.

Shrimps, pretzels, and chocolate ice creams! Thanks Saturn Runnjng for a great day! Lovely to see lots of friends. Thank you Sarah for another chat-athon, and for our first time sub-4ing together!