October Running

"I'm too sexy for this shirt", marathon, with Saturn Running, 05.10.2024

For lots of reasons, I didn't feel up to a big run today, but I did want to celebrate (northern) James' 300th marathon. So I made myself go, had a good run, and a brilliant time celebrating James' achievement. The run was from Staines, along the River Thames, and it was really beautiful and peaceful in the sunshine with the leaves starting to turn autumnal.

"Jelly Cat Run", marathon, with Saturn Running, 06.10.2024

Back to Staines for another celebration, for Amanda's 100th marathon. There was a lot of cake, a chat-athon with Sarah, more cake, some running, and lots of celebrating.

"Oktoberfest Friday, 29.5 miles with Phoenix Running, 11.10.2024

A misty, sunny, chilly morning, and 29.5 miles completed, for my 350th official marathon/ ultra.

The Palma Marathon, Majorca, 20.10.2024

Return trip to Palma, after Sarah and I had such a good time out there last year, and this time Amanda came along too!

We caught a flight from Gatwick late Friday morning....which actually turned into early Friday afternoon once the plane had been delayed due to fog (which was fine - just meant more time for chatting). On arriving, we caught the A1 bus into Palma, and checked into the Hotel Artmadams ... and got the exact same room as last year! The hotel is sort of a fusion of hotel/art gallery, and it had some new pieces since last year, and a new exhibition. 

Saturday we picked up our numbers from the race Expo, bought some matching running tops to wear back home, and then did the guided walking tour that the marathon organisers put on for participants. We had the same guide as last year! A very interesting and informative tour. We fuelled up with poké bowls at Poké Mania, and caught an early night.

Sunday, the marathon started at 8am, and it's a about a 20 minute walk to the start from the hotel. We got there around 7.20, braved the portaloos, which were actually not bad, and then got stuck in the queue for the new wardrobe (aka drop bag) system, missed the mass start, and everyone was starting in dribs and drabs. 

Once we finally got going, all was well, and it was an excellent run. It's my third time here, 2012, 2023 and 2024, and I've loved every one.

There are 9km, half marathon and marathon distances as part of the event. The marathon is two loops, first going west along the marina and back, then east along the coast, and back for a wiggly meander around the old town. It's a lovely route, with plenty to see. The aid stations are well stocked with water, isotonic drinks, bananas, and gels, and the volunteers are brilliant. The event also has great crowd support and music on the way around. It was pretty hot, up to 29oC! So a toasty and altogether enjoyable run. Great to see Bushy, Jasvir, Martin and Dawn on the way round, and to catch up with Zophanie at the end. 

The rest of the time there, we spent refuelling, sightseeing, and chatting and it was the best fun - thanks Sarah and Amanda for a wonderful weekend!

SVN Thankyou Run, Marathon, 27.09.2024

This weekend is the last weekend of SVN events before Rachel and Tills hang up their Race Director hats - they have been a really big part of my running journey, so I have mixed emotions of feeling very sad that SVN has come to an end, but also really happy for Tills and Rachel to be starting on their next and exciting chapters! 

Travel report: On Friday, I pottered over to Gravesend, via an almost all dry walk to Kings Cross, the fast train (almost missed it), and then a very, very wet and uninspiring walk from Gravesend to the Cyclopark. 

Weather report: The weather carried on being terrible all morning, so Sarah and I completed/swam a marathon through puddles (which turned into lakes) and streams (which turned into rivers), but that just makes it all the more memorable! 

Physical wellbeing report: 

- Our legs seemed to be feeling fine after last week's 100 miler, which I was (and am still) very excited about (I always think they will stop working/ fall off), and it was a really good run.

- Due to wearing waterproofs, we resembled boil in the bag fish by the end (actually, by quite early in), and had the sensation that we had evaporated somewhat. 

- We also had hostage (aka sausage) fingers from getting cold/hot/on repeat.

Snack report: The aid station was as amazing as always, and as it was our last time being treated to this level of awesomeness, we had a chocolate treat per lap. I will miss Rachel's rocky road (but I feel it is dangerous she has shared her recipe!).

Wildlife report: squirrel count - 2! Bedraggled dogs - many.

Post run report: its worth getting all wet and horrible, for how nice it feels to change into dry clothes! Orange hot chocolate for the walk (now dry) back to the station, to head back to London to meet Andrew for Humble Crumbles at Spitalfields market (thank you Sarah for my Christmas voucher!) 

Reflection report: I will miss SVN! I've done 47 of their events since 2016, and 6 of my 100 mile + events have been with them. Andrew and I also did an "accidental 10 in 10" with them in the winter of 2021, which is still one of my favourite/ most memorable holidays ever, and I will never think that ice cream is just for the summer ever again. It's been nice looking back through my reports of these events, I don't often look back at what I write. So many happy memories, and many friendships made! Thanks you Tills and Rachel for everything! And now, it will be great to hopefully share more adventures with you both on the trails :-)