The forecasters’ prediction for today was very wet, but as it turned out it was instead very warm. I found this out as I ran down the road carrying both my Gore jacket and beanie hat as insurance against being caught out in the rain.
I had decided against driving to the Downs as there was a 30-mile race starting from Clayton & I thought the car-park might be busy… or I might get dragged in! Instead I ran out with no clear plan, which I intuitively think makes it more difficult and easier at the same time. More difficult as you’re not quite sure how hard to push, but easier as you can kid your unconscious that you’re only going around the block!
I ran out across the Common and on down through the woods to Westmeston at the base of the Downs. The going was mostly baked dry, but there were several points that were incongruously muddy – all sections that are generally knee-deep in mud in the winter!
The going might have been relatively easy, but I mad hard work of it, having to resort to jellybabies after only 20 minutes… although to be fair, this was partly because of IronMan Jim’s advice about sugar intake from last week. He said that you need to get sugar in your system before you need it, otherwise the body produces insulin which counters the effect… or something like that.
I started up the Westmeston Bostall having snuck a couple more jellybabies, but opted to then turn right for the more direct ascent… this must be a comparable gradient to the Grouse Grind because the isobars on the map are too close together to read the heights!
I reached the Beacon at one hour ten minutes and turned for home down the nearest path before any of the 30-milers came past to make me look slow!
The return leg was through Ditchling village, up to Oldlands Mill and then back via Ockley Lane and took me 48 minutes, which is a passable time. Overall, one hour 58 minutes to do 11.35 miles. 5.35mph on the way out and 6.4mph on the way back… more to do with the initially favourable gradient and a larger proportion of road running in the second half than anything else.
Judging by the paltry amount of rain we’ve subsequently had this afternoon, I may actually need to go out & water the pots later! Forecasters? Fraudulent soothsayers morelike!