I've done this the wrong way round: I posted the official results before my account. Still, better late than never.
The wind blew like anything the day before the race, with grey skies and a little rain, so it was a surprise to find perfect conditions, sun and only a light breeze when I arrived at race headquarters, the Wallands school. I changed al fresco and made my way with a fellow Strider up the hill to the start by the old racecourse. I envied the entrants for the five mile race, who had an easier task. Off they went at 11, to the cheers of the 10 milers and spectators. There was a good turnout, with runners from lots of local clubs, and even a strong contingent from Blois in France, which I believe to be Lewes's twin town.
Fifteen minutes later it was our turn. I was chatting and didn't hear the starter, so my watch may have been turned on a little late. Paradoxically the race starts facing the wrong way, for what in sailing we would call a hook, running downhill towards Lewes and then turning to start an ascent. The first couple of miles go uphill slowly, reaching Blackcap for the first water station. I was well to the back of the field and found it hard going. Then it was on to the chalk path, hard running for a mile or so, until we turned south to begin a descent.. This was familiar territory: in the good old days when I worked at the University and could run at lunchtimes I would often come out this way, once memorably in thick fog, losing my way. What goes down must come up, and so there was a stiff ascent up the side of a hill, and then a turn to run back north-eastwards along a path. From this point I could see part of the course of the cow run I used to run with the BSMS runners. I understand they now run it in reverse, making it a woc run. This path was narrow, and the gap between the tussocks of grass narrower still, so it was difficult to run fast or steadily, and I found myself proceeding with a curious mincing gait. A little distance form Blackcap the route turned once more, heading in the direction of the A27, before descending into a pretty wood, Ashcombe Bottom. This section is frequently muddy, but the dry weather meant it was perfectly dry. After a mile or so among trees and bracken, runners are faced with a demanding climb back to Blackcap and I have to confess I walked up this hill. Then, after water at Blackcap, a slightly different route took us back by way of the beacon. I was touched to be cheered in at the finish by my fellow Striders. See my other post for their times.
I have been meaning to do this run for years, but it's never come at quite the right time. Either it was too near the Jog Shop Jog, or I was aiming for Beachy Head and needed a longer run at this point, or it was the year my mother died. The views are magnificent, and give a subtly changing perspectives: south-east to the meanders of the Ouse and Firle Beacon, south to the escarpment with the big W, south-west to Brighton and north over the Plumpton plain.
I shall be back next year. And running over familiar terrain like this proved to me what I already knew: that I'm slow because my training is limited. When I ran faster I was running four or five times a week. Now I run at best twice, and sometimes only once.
Time: 1:47:45
Distance: 9.81 (sic)
Pace: 10:58
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