Long shot

That is actually short for Longs Summer Hibernation Over Today.

I had sat inside reading since just after 6am, watching the dawn break grey and cold.  Since the ice on the car outside still had not melted at 7.30am, I left the house wearing longs, my Thurloe woolen socks, two top layers plus my Gore jacket, hat AND gloves.  Oh, and my warmer, orange mud-plugging trainers.

This possibly sounds a little over the top, but I didn’t feel hot at any stage, so I feel vindicated in my decision.

I ran a very different way today.  Out to Ote Hall then left and across to Theobalds Lane.  Almost to the end then right onto a footpath across to Wivelsfield Church.  Right after the church then left and across to the north of Wivelsfield Green, dropping down through the middle of the village and up Hundred Acre Lane.  Right into the woods and along towards the industrial estate, but then right and right again in order to cut back across behind St Georges Retreat and down to the Royal Oak.  Then back the way I normally go out.

I’ve no idea of the distance at this moment, but it took one hour 15 minutes so I would guess around 7 or 8 miles.  (Postscript – it seems to be about 8.5 miles, although I went off the map briefly so I’m not certain)

Then I walked to the office and, losing my footing on the stairs, managed to wow the four people watching as I skied noisily down to land on my feet at the bottom!