Also found the time estimates I gave the OH when I did Ironman UK 2007.

Estimated finish: ~15 hours,
Worst case: miss the bike cut off,
Best case: ~14 hours.

Actual finish: 13h 39.

While cleaning out a cupboard I found the results of the 1997 Taunton marathon.

It had a 4h 30 cut off, 153 male finishers and 15 women. I was last woman in 4h 18 (which is still my PB…) with a dozen men behind me.

Pondering future adventures…

Inflation has piled pressure on STFC's budget, which has stayed relatively flat in cash terms

I think this says a lot about the pressure STFC is under: its budget will not have risen (in cash terms) between 2023 and 2030

Inflation is obviously going keep eroding that, and more so with the Iran war

(Details of STFC budget figures over the spending review have not been published before now)

I haven’t yet had time/energy to write a proper blog about the Lapland Arctic Ultra. So for now I’ve written some short snippets to try and capture the experience while it’s still fresh (thanks to the OH for the original version of the spoof newspaper report).

anne-green.net/personal/blo...

Had been planning to spend today writing a blog about my Arctic adventures.

Instead, I've written (in a personal capacity) to my MP, regarding factually incorrect statements that have been made regarding cuts to postdoctoral research positions, in particular in theoretical particle physics.

This is pure 1984: Lord Vallance promises that there will be no reduction in UK particle theory postdoc numbers from ~20 per year. The actual number awarded in the last round in 2022 was 58.
committees.parliament.uk/publications...

In a letter to @chionwurah.bsky.social the Science Minister states:

"~20 particle physics theory post-doctoral researchers [are] funded by UKRI each year."

That’s not typical; that’s the post-cut baseline from 2026.

The previous cycle supported ~60.

Framing this as “normal” obscures a ~70% cut.

Reaching the finish line of the 500km Lapland Arctic Ultra, this time 2 weeks ago. Feels like a million years ago now, and I yearn for the simplicity of pulling my pulk through wilderness. (Photos courtesy of Callum Joliffe.)

A random story:

Once upon a time, an Air Koryo flight I was on to Pyongyang had a minor crash landing.

As some of the passengers (understandably) panicked, one of the cabin crew told us that 'nothing has happened'.

Meanwhile, the pilot could be seen unfurling the emergency escape chute.

PPT grants work very differently from astronomy. We have consolidated grants composed of science areas, and a single round every 4 (formerly 3) years for the entire community.

Enjoying some R&R back in Jockfall. It’s ~30 degrees C warmer than when I first arrived here 2 and a bit weeks ago!

The contrasts of my last 4 sleeping places: a storage cupboard at a checkpoint (escaping from the snorer in the communal sleeping area), Polar circle cabin, an old farmstead, and back in civilisation post finish.

And done. One of the toughest but best things I’ve ever done. There were various moments (over the last 10 days/8 months) when I thought it wasn’t going to be possible.

Breakfast! I have become a human eating machine.

Stunning views crossing a frozen lake last night. And the trail was firm and fast too, which made a nice change from slogging through wet snow (at one point the night before Pulkee and I were doing 1 mph).

Day 4 and the going is slow due to slushy snow. But (for now) I’m still going.

Today has been camping and fire lighting practice. Plus, in a classic example of Swedes not knowing how rude some English words are, (the theory of) ‘how to shit in the woods’.

Even better tonight!

Northern lights!

Arrived in Jockfall for the pre-race training course

Arrived in Lapland (and my pulk has made it too):

To my great relief my pulk is checked through to Lulea and I’m relaxing airside (Manchester T2 is much nicer than it used to be). Thought my power banks and huge stash of batteries would cause issues at security but it was actually the 500 calorie meal bars which got a close inspection.

Thanks!

Thank you!

Two large holdalls.

Off to Sweden tomorrow, for the Lapland Arctic Ultra. My bags are packed and the pre-adventure blog is written (anne-green.net/personal/blo...).

Pro-tip: before emailing someone to point out 'a reference that they may find relevant', first check whether their paper did actually cite your paper.

"Your tips are patronising. And some of your recommendation are poor. I am Green and I know that my paper that you suggest did not even mention this scenario."

I've reached the point of arguing with ChatGPT:

Back home, sat by the fire, but Tyree isn’t allowed in as she’s rather muddy: