February 2005 - Week 4

[Sweder]

Location: Lewes – Black Cap round trip
Distance: 5 miles off road
Time: 46:59
Conditions: Very cold, some snow under foot, windy
Companions: 3 musky dogs
Soundtrack: Planet Rock (Guns n Roses, Genesis, Thin Lizzy)

This should have been Monday’s run, but frankly I bottled it.
My legs were pretty sore after Sundays’ half, and a gentle lope would probably have been ideal, but by the time I got home from work it was dark, and Lewes snoozed under a light blanket of snow.

There will be a perfectly reasonable geographical explanation as to why heavy snow fall avoids the South Downs. From the layman’s perspective it is thoroughly frustrating. My family would love to be snowed in. Just once. Every year a little white, powdery snow falls and our hopes are raised. Winds blow, the air is filled with fluffy white promises for an hour or two, and then . . . nothing. And so it proved last night. Still, the pressure was on to get a fire lit, and, well, once you’ve started something you’ve got to see it through, right? Besides, my lot can’t be relied upon to feed the fire at the appropriate time and . . oh, all right; I bailed out.

I was filled with regret this morning as my oh-so-stiff limbs levered me out of my pit. Having decided to ditch the track work (I’ve heard from several sources that the Withdean running surface is extremely hard on hamstrings) I realised that there was nothing stopping a morning pop up to Black Cap. A twitch of the bedroom blinds – nope, nothing.

I took the camera on the off chance that some snow had survived the weak winter sunshine to present a pleasant wintry scene. Even if it hadn’t (and it hadn’t) it would be nice to share some of the vistas enjoyed on this 5 mile lope.

The ground proved less hard than I’d feared, and I set off at modest pace on the 2 ½ mile climb. The hounds were happy and raced ahead into the sheepless fields as I warmed to the task. It’s amazing how quickly the stiffness leaves your limbs – about 10 minutes in my case. I chugged along, comfortable, one area of my brain still focused on the right hamstring, but as on Sunday no hint of trouble detected.

At the dewponds we met a forlorn snowman. Seemingly exhausted following some magical nocturnal adventure (the Raymond Briggs cartoon was based on this area – the Downs and Brighton pier clearly detailed below the early aerobatics) this poor iceman slumped facing the rising yellow orb, apparently filled with sad resignation.

Willow decided this stranger was not to be trusted and barked furiously at him. Tess dealt with him in her usual direct style, cocking her leg (most un-ladylike), adding some colour to his lower extremities. Willow, also relieved, sped on to the dewpond, diving under the protective fence and straight into the icy waters. I was sure she’d come yelping out as fast as she’d flown in. I was wrong. The plucky Spaniel wriggled down into the murky depths, eyes and nose protruding, and proceeded to wallow. Willow the wallower. Mad dog indeed.

Onwards, upwards to the stables, quiet this late in the day (it was 10 am), horses safely housed in their warm, hay-laden stalls. And on ,past the sheep fields and the gallops, up the flint-laden muddy track and through the gate. At the penultimate crest I stopped, invigorated, warm, and snapped Black Cap just ahead. Beyond the peak the sun illuminated the next hilltop, laden with sheep, and in the far distance the snow-capped Ditchling Beacon.

We finished the ascent and I stopped the watch – 25:56, not bad for a gentle lope. I took on some cool water and surveyed the views. As suspected most of the snow had gone, surviving only in the shelter of gorse bushes and lea of the hillsides not yet touched by the sun. I took a few snaps (posted below) before setting off for home.

The return was uneventful, the wind strong from the east biting a little harder. I kept myself in check, still monitoring the leg and maintaining a short stride pattern. Back home and some serious stretches (ouch).

I answered a few work e-mails and plugged in the camera to review my pictures. Not bad for an amateur snapper. Then I logged on to RC and saw Nigel’s’ photo from his skiing holiday. Hmm. The abundance of snow’s not the only difference between our pictures. Still always room for improvement. Rumour has it we may get another layer or two this week. If it happens I’ll be back up there, but it’ll have to come in pretty thick and fast to match the Pyrenees