JANUARY 2005 - Back in Action

[Sweder]

Time of day: 07:50 Hrs
Location: South Downs (Black Cap, Falmer, Lewes)
Conditions: Breezy, light rain, mild
Distance: 5 miles
Run time: 1 hour
Soundtrack: SP
Companions: Gypsy, Tess, Willow, Jody (SP's hound), SP

SP agreed to accompany me with his Garmin to measure this circuit and to get some offroad work under his belt. We opted for an early start to minimise the impact on our working day, and I was a little disappointed to see the overcast conditions. This run is best experienced in clear, dry conditions for optimum view value.

As the start is the best part of 2 miles uphill we set off at a very gentle pace.
I’ve said before this is far from ideal – I’d like to get at least a mile on the flat first, to warm up before the hill work. SP voiced his agreement with this view. Maria, local speed merchant, shot past us in the opposite direction with the obligatory raised palm. She was on the down slope but I'm sure she was exceeding the speed limit.

Onwards to the racing stables, and we’re still climbing.
‘It’ll be lovely on the way back’ I panted to SP.
‘Grunt’ said SP. He didn’t sound convinced.

Light drizzle greeted us at the stables. At this point I start a running dialogue with my hounds, convinced they’re about to mount some nefarious assault on the equine population. Of course this is unfounded paranoia on my part. Besides I’m sure my constant whittering is getting on SP’s nerves. He’s either too much of a gent, or too knackered, to mention it.

Our first walk break is taken after the stables, partly due to congestion on the bridleway – 3 racehorses have just embarked on their warm-up walk, jockey’s chatting and apparently at ease with our close proximity. Also, mindful that the thin air at this altitude might have an adverse affect*, partly to give SP a breather. He later said the walk breaks were for my benefit – I won’t engage in Wenger/ Fergie style bickering here, but read my previous Thursday posts

* Black Cap is 669 feet above sea level.

Onward, ever onward . . . and much to SP’s evident dismay, upward.
Black Cap, it transpired, is 2.44 miles from the start of the downs (I’ll call that 2.5 miles from my house then). This is a slight disappointment to me, although I had always accepted it may be less than the previously estimated 3 miles. The views, though hampered by the conditions, were still impressive, and we took a moment to pick out various landmarks. Seaford Head was a vague smudge on the horizon. So too the high-rises at Shoreham, although the vista inland was a little clearer.

‘Let’s push on for a bit’ I offered, mindful that a turn-around here would yield a modest 5 miles when I’d hoped for 8. ‘Err . . . could do’, replied SP. ‘Then again, we could head back.’
To be fair the rain was a little heavier at this point, my windcheater starting to show signs of fallibility in the wet. ‘OK, let’s head back’.

We set off on the down slope, and I muttered a silent prayer of thanks that Sp would at least find this part more enjoyable. Not so.
‘Running downhill is just as bad as running uphill’ he announced.
‘My blackened toenail’s getting bashed about, It’ll be off soon.’ Nice visuals, SP. He kindly revealed the offensive article after the run, and I can confirm the black bits are now turning white as the nail detaches from the toe. Yummy.

Still, it was easier and our pace picked up to a comfortable lope. SP had another observation, and I agree 100 percent; running on uneven terrain, albeit better for the knees and back, is extremely dodgy. You have to keep an eye on the ground immediately ahead, hence my continual stooping style. Both SP and I have turned ankles in the past (non-running related sports injuries) and have a pathological fear of this most painful and debilitating injury. For my money I prefer the risks off-road, saving my joints for the punishment that is a road-run Marathon. SP favours tarmac training.
Is this the Odd Couple or what?

That said he was grinning like a fool when we got back to mine for a coffee.
‘I feel fantastic’ he declared.
‘Should have bloody well gone on then’ I replied, a little ungraciously.
He also made in improper suggestion which, to retain some decorum in this post, I shall refrain from sharing. To be fair, it was affectionate.

Actually, though, this was a very useful session for both of us. SP is resolved to mixing a few off-roaders into his schedule, and I can stop fooling myself about the mileage on my local run.

Footnote: At the end of our run, in the (vacant) sheepfield, we attempted a little Garmin Art experiment. At time of writing I have not seen the results; no doubt if they’re totally naff SP won’t post them, but it did raise the spectre of a Garmin Art section of this (or perhaps the Garmin) website. Can you see what it is yet?