Duathlon

I’ve had an interesting week of meetings, networking and training events, but I had not managed to get out for a run.  I’ve also not had the opportunity to write, so there was a dual imperative that I got out there this morning and did something at least.

Cliff had decided to run (too) early from the kayak club so I had opted to run from the house for a change and when I went to bed last night it was with half a mind that I would get up this morning and run up to Ditchling Beacon and back.

But the day dawned cooler than expected and I’m reading a really engaging book at the moment, so I settled deep into an armchair for the duration of two large quadspressos.  I watched obliquely as it first started to drizzle, then rain lightly, then more heavily, all the time cognizant of a reducing desire to run.

It finally came down to the writing, as in ‘no run, no write’.  So I reluctantly pulled on my gear and headed out into what was now a torrential downpour!  I can’t think of the last time that I got this wet, this quickly… it was actually hilarious and to such an extent that there was good really bonhomie with other folk who were out and about.  None of whom, on reflection, had umbrellas and most of whom were laughing as I was.

If there was an event that involved swimming and running at the same time, then this was good training for it!

I had already given up on Ditchling Beacon and opted instead for my short woodland route.  This took me out past the Royal Oak, which, from the well tended garden and amazing new deck at the back, looks as though it has recently completed a refurbishment.

I then touched on the back of Wivelsfield, where the rain started to ease, before running through West Wood to the Industrial Estate and then on down the Magical Path.

After that it was a short run across the Common and back up to the house, where I arrived in 47 minutes, dripping wet as if I had been standing in the shower all that time.

I’m clearly not on good form at the moment as I had painful hips on the way round and I’ve felt really wheezy since returning… and whilst 6.6mph is okay, it’s certainly not the fastest time I’ve set on this route by a long chalk.

At least I now have a great excuse for curling up in a warm place with a good book for the rest of the day!