Fun Before Fifty Diaries: Cheeky Double

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Cheeky double, a phrase typically referring to a lovely Guyanese or Bajan rum (that was until I became teetotal at the start of this year!) or to my days as a highly unsuccessful pool shark in the Student Union bar. In terms of ‘sharkery’, the level of fear I’d instil in potential opponents was more akin to a juvenile reef shark than to a Great White!!

For the purpose of this Fun Before Fifty diary update, it inevitably refers to a couple of days of marathons with the absolute caveat that there will be no accidental streak beyond. As I write, I am lying down on my sofa with cricket on the television from Manchester and the rain in London hammering the window… I’d describe that as a reversal from the norm!

My feet are up, the autumn quilt is covering me and, once I’ve posted this, I shall look forward to a nice kip!

Yesterday – Friday 4 August 2023 – Saturn Chasing Numbers Hawaii 50 Run

Friday morning took me back to Runnymede (for the first time in two whole weeks if you exclude the Cinnamon Bun Run of last weekend). I felt surprisingly fresh and awake all things considered as I jumped off the train in Egham – a quick double espresso at Starbucks later, and I was walking across a field towards Wraysbury Skiff & Punting Club, the start and finish line of the Runnymede course.

A different kind of week!

I say surprisingly fresh on the back of a slightly chaotic week. A family member being ill and hospitalised meant a swift and unexpected exit from home last Sunday afternoon and living more out of a rucksack than suitcase all week. Not great preparation for a cheeky double, or any double for that matter.

I found time to run every morning during the week but was wearing old running shoes that were in the boot of the car, in unfamiliar surroundings, and battling the autumnal elements. In short, I had run but it had not been fun and I’d been feeling exhausted from a combination of lack of sleep, most likely the recent TiT, the ongoing anxiety around job search, and the day to day uncertainty of said family member and being away from home.

To say I was surprised at feeling quite fresh is an understatement (Garmin reckoned I’d slept for 5 hours 11 minutes the previous night and Garmin typically overestimates my sleep!).

The Runnymede course is six loops each of 4.37 miles, most of which is on a firm gravel or paved surface with two short stretches of mud track. When I arrived at the start line just after 8am, I was surprised at how many people were already out on the course and, moreover, how many people had entered the event.

Slow out of the blocks

My first few miles were sluggish; I think cheeky double felt optimistic. That said, I was soon into my running and felt so much better than I’d done earlier in the week. I certainly had no time target in mind so was simply able to relax.

The beauty of the lap format is continually having that reference point through which you can tick off the miles and mentally know you are moving forward. I know I’m relaxed in my running when I start talking to other runners. I was quiet and reflective in those first two laps but became more responsive to others the longer I was out there.

Strong second half

It is always a great sign when you get stronger as a race develops. I do feel in great shape right now and definitely felt stronger with every lap. Today was the same. It feels great when you are counting down the laps and feel progressively fresher.

I was definitely not over exerting myself with over 65% in heart rate zone 2. The wind was a factor on a dreary and overcast day (there’s a part of the Runnymede course by the Magna Carta legacy statue of Queen Elizabeth II which is very exposed) but mentally it didn’t impact me.

I had run a very satisfying time of 3:31:48 when I crossed the finish line. I have worked hard to be in top condition for this campaign but the level of consistency has really surprised me.

Saturn hosted a great event as usual so huge thanks to them, There is no rest either for the wicked or the fundraising so it was a quick exit to get home and start refuelling for today’s challenge.

Today – Saturday 5 August 2023 – Phoenix Summer Marathon

I was chatting with my wife on the phone as the train pulled into Walton-on-Thames at 7:24am today. “Do you think anyone will notice if I walk across the platform and get the next train back to Clapham Junction“, I asked. I will know, was the predictable response, and I have a habit of holding myself accountable. The opposite platform was not an option, so on to the race it was.

I felt tired this morning. Garmin was, admittedly, slightly more generous in telling me that I’d slept for 5 hours 16 minutes last night. I respectfully suggest to myself, and anyone else, that two nights of next to no sleep is no way to prepare for a cheeky double.

It was throwing it down when I got off the train and continued to do so during our taxi ride to the Phoenix start line alongside the River Thames. The weather forecast was hardly encouraging so I was not brimming with excitement when we got there.

The Summer Marathon

The Phoenix Summer Marathon is a special one for me. Actually, Phoenix Running is very special in itself and has created an eclectic, sometimes eccentric, but always incredibly supportive band of runners.

The Summer Marathon is different to usual Phoenix events in that it will attract the usual suspects BUT also a much larger number of first time Phoenix runners hoping to run a PB on the flat towpath. I’ve learnt, over the years, that it’s a great course but not one where I’ll try to run fast. I will save that for the roads!

The Summer Marathon was my first Phoenix events back in 2016 and today was my 21st marathon with them in addition to several shorter runs. I’ve made lifelong bonds and friendships and hope to celebrate my fiftieth birthday with them next year … maybe running my 100th marathon in the process.

The irony of it all

As I ran through Sunbury Lock for the first of sixteen times today, I already felt that it was going to be a long day. I was surprised to see so many people out on the course already. I was, like yesterday, very much in my own bubble for the first couple of laps (Phoenix events are typically 8 laps of 3.3 miles) and my overriding thoughts was the irony of the name Summer Marathon on a day like today.

The towpath was already muddy in parts, even on the first lap, and was cutting up a little. I was convinced it would be a long day.

Nice and dry on the towpath!!! 🤣
Something out of nothing

I have never run a marathon in a running jacket or anything with long sleeves – that is for cool training runs.

My mindset this morning, however, was simply to get through to the end, however long it took. My second lap was almost complete when I suddenly realised I had no idea what kind of pace I was running at. I had not looked at my Garmin once and it was, of course covered by my long sleeve.

I was running completely by feel and felt easy. There and then, I decided to keep my long sleeved layer on all day and to not look at my watch.

I enjoyed today, as it transpired, but it was not fun! Garmin is not gospel but it is clear that I was working hard even if it didn’t feel that way for the most part. I have typically been spending over 80% of my recent marathons in heart rate zone 2 but today’s figure was 7%. I spent most of this run in a much higher effort zone.

That is no issue at all in itself. There are obvious contributory factors in the form of fatigue (lack of sleep) and being cold and wet from the start. It means that I will definitely not consider adding a third run tomorrow to this cheeky double.

I felt good out there despite my misgivings. 3:40:58 was still a pleasant surprise when I crossed the line and raised my sleeve at the end.

The wet and windy conditions prevailed so it is testament to all of the runners and everyone at Phoenix Running that spirits were invariable high.

What next?

The next week will combine living out of a rucksack again but also job interviews. It is an apt time to ease off the running for a few weeks. I have run 774 miles in the last 7 weeks and sustaining that will be of no benefit. I qualify that by saying that I do have another marathon next Saturday!!!

More importantly, we (me and my wife) have a century cycling sportive in September so I need to start building up my cycling legs with the bike having been significantly redundant in the last two months.

There is a significant amount of running, however, between now and that UK Cycling New Forest Tour on 17 September. The month of September looks decidedly spicy but one I can’t wait for.

The highlights are THREE marathons in 24 hours on 1st and 2nd September, 3 marathons in 4 days between 7th & 10th (including a cheeky double!), and said 100 mile century sportive.

Quick photos!

Day one of a cheeky double at lovely Runnymede
A cheeky double … and a lovely 0.0% beer!
Obligatory Phoenix selfie with Rik. Smiles despite the wind and rain.
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