November Chills

[Sweder]

Another pleasant couple of hours in the company of the downland hills. Is there a better way to spend a Sunday morning with your clothes on? I’ve yet to find it. Commiserations to Steve who had to withdraw after a few hundred yards, his sore calf griping too much to be ignored. Paul the Goat chose a North Face/ YBR route leaving Michael, Gary, myself and a new companion (shame on me for not asking her name. An accomplished ‘newbie’ who fancied a little more than the eight miles on offer for the main group) to enjoy the hospitality of the Snake.

Unlike last week the mighty serpent today joined forces with a harsh, head-on howling wind. Seven days ago I’d felt elated, given her ‘the eyes’ and slipped up her scaly back unchallenged. It was a case of hanging on for grim death this morning. This was no cheeky victory, more like survival.

A solid two hour run on a beautifully cold yet sunny day, the thirteen (or there abouts) mile trail peppered with muddy pools and slippery flint. I finished running hard, pleased with my form, a few minor niggles ensuring a stern stretching session at the finish. It’ll be a shame to ‘step back’ next week, but the pleasure of meeting fellow forumites on the Brighton esplanade will more than make up for the lack of mileage.