Seven miles today, and whenever I have to do seven miles, the fact that it is more or less exactly seven miles from home to the end of the east pier at Newhaven harbour and back impels me to choose that route. It was worth it: high seas, a stiff wind going, but behind me on the way back. There was an odd moment: just after turning at the end of the pier and heading back, I had an episode of vertigo. I am prone to vertigo, and it was that same feeling of panic that I remember from taking my daughter and her friends on the London Eye for a birthday treat many years ago. Why this should occur on a firmly constructed, not very high pier I cannot explain. I am used to the sea, and if I'm on the water in a dinghy or RIB, am perfectly fine. I ran back to terra firma as quickly as I could. It was warm and I went out in shorts, t-shirt and top, and took the top off during the return leg.
At last night's Seaford Striders awards evening, I came third in my age group, Super Vet Men (50-59). I think faithful readers who have read my entries throughout Janathon deserve a look at my medal, don't you?
