Seaford Half Marathon - 5th June 2005

[Sweder]

Time of day: 09:00
Distance: 12 miles
Terrain: Offroad dirt and grass tracks, hills
Location: Brighton Marina, Telscome Tye, Downland Shortcut, Snake, Madeira Drive, Brighton Marina
Duration: 2 hrs 2 mins

I fancied a return to the South Downs this morning. Wobbly from the long flight on Friday night/ Saturday I wondered if a brisk morning thrash would banish or at least postpone jetlag. West/ East jetlag is, for me, infinitley worse than the other way around.

Strapping on the radio (5 Live Sportsweek with Gary Richardson from 9 till 10, Planet Rock from 10 onwards) and scoffing a swift banana and maple syrup sandwich I headed for the Marina. Once again as 9 o'clock came and went I remained alone on the Brighton road. I remembered (at about 9:05) that post Marathon the group had agreed to meet at Hove Park. I shrugged and set off alone. The sun shone in a blue sky, mild Easterly wind cooling my face. I'd made no decision on distance, but as I loped lazily along, the laconic Richardson grilling various Footballing luminaries on the Glazier/ Man United debacle, 12 miles seemed likea good idea. Seaford Half is a fortnight away and I needed to make sure I'd held some form over the last month.

Dogless today, I made steady progress. I greeted the occasional mountain-biker and hill walker in the customary fashion, and set my mind to wondering why there were so many black lambs around this year. Not only that, but I saw four sets of black twins (at least, they appeared to share the same Mother) on my travels. A reflection on the general moral decline of our age, perhaps?

I reached the Snake in good shape, and thought of Andy and his commitment to Loch Ness. He's going to need some offroad hillwork, I reasoned; best invite him down for a Sunday 12 miler to get a taste; this is perfect territory. I glanced down into Death Valley, following the path with my eyes up through the Nature Reserve to the brow of the hill over which I knew lurked the evil Big W. I'll need another month's training at least before I head back that way.

At the top of the Snake I considered a rest, but I still felt comfortable so on it was at a leisurely lope. The last time I descended Wilsons Avenue I pulled a couple of G's; today I barely raised a ripple as I allowed gravity to dictate my pace towards the finish. 2 hours 2 for around 12 miles - quite acceptable. I'll need to up the anti this week, and to get a swifter circuit in next Sunday. Seaford beckons, and I'm looking forward to it.

As for the jetlag, I've managed to get to 9 pm without so much as a yawn, so perhaps it worked. That, or the raw passion and exitement eminating from my radio this afternoon, bringing tales of heartbrake and unbelievable joy from the last day of the premiership, has something to do with it.

Well done Baggies - Boing Boing.