April 2010

[Sweder]

A Run In Two Parts: Part One, Inland Plodder

It was an honour & a privilege to host the mighty Seafront Plodder for a lope in the hills this morning. We'd shared a pint or two on Friday when, in the midst of our mutual appreciation of Harveys fine 2010 batch of Olympia Ale, we'd agreed to meet up at mine horribly early on Easter Sunday.

The Great Man is no fan of hillage. It's fair to say he was impressed when, shortly before 8am, we stood at the end of Kingston Ridge gazing up at the imposing chalk tracks of the Big W. He was a good deal less happy when I told him we were heading up there next, but to his credit, and despite being ill-equipped for the task (wearing road shoes for a Sunday run with me is like bringing a knife to a gunfight) he set about the task with admirable gusto. Stood at the summit gazing over the broad, sun-dappled Cuckmere valley and the Mordor-ish hills of Glynde & Firle beyond he agreed it was worth the effort.

We loped east along the Big W ridge, past the first V (which we would shortly descend) to the top of the Yellow Brick Road. I was pleased as punch to be able to show off these sections of the Jog Shop Jog, ever mindful that my endorphin-fuelled enthusiasm might be getting on SP's wick. The Plodder almost kissed the eponimous gold-tinted concrete, such is his preference for a thick crust on his running trails. He was equally happy when he found out a similarly sturdy, man-made coating adorned the steep drop into Kingston. We took the same route I had last Sunday, jog-walking around Lewes before climbing away from the swollen, brackish waters of the Ouse.

Two hours after we'd set off we returned to Chez Sweder for coffee and toast, pleased with our early morning's work.
SP looks in good form; I'm sure he'll be fine for next Sunday.