January 2010

[Sweder]

Opted for a Lone Wolf lope across the spine of the South Downs this morning. I say that but you're never truly alone when you take your pack of hounds with you. To spice things up a bit I chose to loop down into the BlackCap Nature Reserve, adding the notoriously brutal climb back up to the top of the hills that features mercilessly in the closing stretch of the Lewes Downland 10. The idea was to run to Ditchling and back on tired legs; it worked like a charm.

Up on the ridge I encounted a new phenomenon; ultra-sticky mud. The combination of warm weather (a balmy +9C today) and melted snow left a tacky trail of mud in which to plod. It felt like running in freshly-applied No More Nails. I felt certain that given the viscocity of the mud and my laboured, tardy progress I would soon surely stop, stuck fast, forever to stand there, a rotting folly testament to the madness of running folk. I skipped to the grassy bank, leaning away from the barbed-wire fence, where a more boot-friendly traction was aquired.



NB: I googled No More Nails under 'images' and this was by far the most popular hit. Clearly it may offend some; that is not my intention. I do thank my lucky stars I live in a country that, for now at least, tolerates humour in many spheres and on many levels. Thank goodness it wasn't Mo(edited).

16.8 kilometres, 5.59 ascending (with an elevation change of +/- 315 metres). I've posted the elevation map below to show the severity of that early hill; compared to that the rest was a doddle.

A note for Niguel; nice to see the 'Appy 'Ammers receive a shot in the arm with the part-purchase of the club today by Gold & Sullivan. With the former's connections in the soft porn world you can expect the matchday programmes to get a good deal more interesting I'm sure.

Musically I plugged into my iPhone and hit 'shuffle'. Some terrific stuff on there, not least Zeppelin's magnificent 'Since I've Been Lovin' You', perhaps one of the finest ensemble pieces from that wonderful band, showcasing each players' talents yet still the whole exceeding the sum of the parts. From the sublime to my track du jour. I'm not making excuses (honest) but I'm sure Number One Daughter downloaded this for a dance routine or something. It wasn't me M'Lud, gawds troof. Nevertheless when this track popped up amongst the catalogue of gritty rock along the homeward section I burst out laughing, rising to embrace the joyful spirit of the record whilst picturing the jolly round ladies singing it.

Yes, it's the Weather Girls and It's Raining Men.