χαιρέτε νικὠμεν χαιρέτε νικὠμεν means "Greetings, we've won" and are the words attributed by Plutarch and Lucian to the runner who brought news of victory at the battle of Marathon to the people of Athens. They both wrote some six hundred years after the battle and the story is unlikely. Herodotus, who was closer to events, writes of a runner called Pheidippides who ran from Athens to Sparta to ask for help before the battle, but says nothing of a run to tell the Athenians of the victory.
"So, when Persia was dust, all cried, 'To Akropolis!
Run, Pheidippides, one race more! the meed is thy due!
"Athens is saved, thank Pan," go shout!' He flung down his shield
Ran like fire once more: and the space 'twixt the Fennel-field
And Athens was stubble again, a field which a fire runs through,
Till in he broke: 'Rejoice, we conquer!' Like wine through clay,
Joy in his blood bursting his heart, he died--the bliss!"
Yesterday a rest day. 930 this cloudy morning to Seaford front, five sessions of fast pace for two minutes at a time, and a hard ascent of Seaford Head (five minutes, heart rate up to 184)
Time: 51:45
Distance: 5.8 miles
Average heart rate: 152
815 this morning, sunny and frosty, up through East Blatchington Golf Club, on the path to Firle Beacon as far as the bench, then along a path (called the Camp?) to Frog Firle and High and Over, back to Seaford on the Alfriston Road.
Significant as this was a part of the Beachy Head marathon route where I had trouble with my knee, so good to do it in proper style.
Time: 52:03
Distance: 5.08 miles
Average heart rate: 143
A bright sunny late-December morning, so at 9.30 I ran to Bishopstone, down to the sea, the length of the sea front and then up Seaford Head, down again to the golf club and home again through the town. Time: 1:06:09 Distance: 6.86 miles Average heart rate: 150 A cold wind in places, and legs felt tired, but the Seaford Head climb was a spur-of-the-moment addition to the route and I felt much better for it
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