June 2009

[Sweder]

It's been an odd running week. I managed a couple of early workday local outings followed by a visit to the Brighton & Hove ParkRun 5k on Saturday morning.
Despite an ale-fuelled evening with the Seaford Allstars I managed a respectable (for me) 23:27, finishing 51st in a depleted field.

This morning I peeked out of the bedroom window to see lush, rain-fed grass glistening in cool sunshine. The promised overnight rains had duly landed, softening the ground before the clouds drifted inland on a chillled offshore breeze. It was all I needed. Tom Roper had suggested a plod around the Seaford Half might be just what the doctor ordered. The thought of flogging my burgeoning carcass over the demanding Sussex course in baking heat had seemed improbable at best. With soft ground and a soothing wind all that remained to worry about was fitness and injury. I felt sure I could cover the distance, albeit at a gentle pace, and ibuprofen would take care of the rest.

The Seaford Half was the last run I took with Moyleman. I'd also completed each of the last four in the series. With all these factors taken into account it seemed churlish to go back to bed. I scarfed a bowl of muesli laced with blueberries, chopped banana and maple syrup before scuttling off to register at NPS Lions HQ.

Before the off I met up with Tom, Irish Michael, Ade and Chris. With my lack of preparation and minimal expectation I felt supremely relaxed, enjoying the fact I'd decided as late as this morning to run simply because I felt like it.

For those who'd like a detailed description of the course take a look at last years' report. Suffice to say I chugged around today, starting slowly and getting slower, soaking up spectacular downland and riverside vistas, snapping photos along the way and posting updates on Twitter at mile intervals before crossing the line in a Garmin time of 2:06:30. The following dip in the powerful, foaming ocean was the highlight, ice-cold water dispersing lactic acid and flushing the salty sweat from my body & clothes. Feeling terrific I changed clothes before heading for the Beachcomber to down a brace of Guinness; one for me, one for Chris.

This remains one of the most beautiful half marathons in the South of England; I recommend it highly.