January 2017

[Sweder]

Runnin' With The Pack

Took on an 18 kilometre hill run this morning. Ladyrunner called this one, a gathering of various Canine Runners (runners with dogs) plus CharlieCat5, Mary-Lou, Brian and Naomi (Moyleman veterans). 

I was pretty nervous about the run. The planned route would take us over ten miles, easily the longest run for me since the (flat) Key West Half last January. Once I got to the car park and saw the class of the field, rather than feel at home I wished I'd stayed home. These guys are all in great shape. 

We took off along the banks of the Ouse, heading south out of Lewes along the slippery mud-trail to Southease, the halfway point on the Moyleman. Here we turned West on the South Downs Way and into the eastern foothills of what becomes the Yellow Brick Road. I ran with Duncan, then Brian and Naomi, then Cam and Mary-Lou, gently slipping back through the pack. Mary-Lou is working on a piece about Chris and the origins origins of the Moyleman. We chatted about the place names on route, mostly born of the Jog Shop 20. The North Face, just south of our route today; the Field of Incontinent Cows, The YBR, The Big W. Sussex Folklore.

Once we hit the slopes of the YBR I'd settled into a mildly distressed flog. Halfway up my legs seemed to say 'hey, we know this. Relax, we'll get you to the top'. I actually sped up a bit, side-stepping CC5 as he stopped to despatch a wounded pigeon. It's been two years plus since I took this on and I grinned as the false summits came and went. It was going to be OK.

Having regrouped we took off across the top of the Big W, dropping down the third slope towards Kingston. Here the mud was like slick porridge. We slip-slid our way down, perilously close to going arse over tit at every step. I actually whooped. As we hit the outskirts of Lewes, people peeled off, the remaining peleton ending up back in the car park, mud spattered, grinning like fools, steam pluming off damp, colourful shirts and matted, panting hounds. 

Cracking run, a couple of metres shy of 18 kms.
Hats off to Ladyrunner for putting this together. Almeria feels a step closer tonight.