Tom Roper's Running Training

The Horsham 10k: running to the sound of peacocks

The Horsham 10k is, with the Barns Green half, of the two races in the Sussex Grand Prix that I have never run, so I took myself to Horsham Rugby Club on a fine, not too hot, Sunday morning. Lining up for the start, I saw that there were pacers for 50 and 55 minutes, each holding a silver helium balloon with the time written on it. A nice and unusual touch for a 10k. I thought I might try to stay with the 55 minute pacer, but it was not to be. I kept up for the first 3k, but began to lose her on the hills. 

The race starts with a circuit of the rugby field, and then heads out on the road, then along a bridleway and a country lane, before a tour of the suburbs of Horsham, and then round again for a second lap. On the second lap, its harder, and the hills which seemed easy enough on the first lap, become more difficult. More and more runners passed me, though I kept my pace steady. Towards the end, as I slogged uphill towards the rugby club, I heard the cries of peacocks from behind a wall, like the screams of the damned in the lowest circle of hell. 

Then into the rugby club for the finish. My fellow Striders did well. I haven’t seen full results yet, but I understand Josh Rudd came sixth overall. 

Longer runs, fire and Land Rovers

i’ve been in a rut, and realised that, with entries in a ten miler and a half-marathon in the next few weeks, I needed to get more miles into my legs and my mind. Fortunately @charliecat5 was of a similar opinion and, after last weekend when we found that we had each run similar distances over much the same ground, it seemed to make sense to team up and run together. 

My knee was still a little dodgy, and had held me up a little during Saturday’s Bevendean Down #parkrun, but a day off with nothing more than some light strolling round London had restored it. The Cat is tolerance itself when running with slower athletes, and so we set off, down the west bank of the Ouse to Southeast. This section was dry - it isn’t always - but it was clear that the light drizzle would not allow us the fine views of the previous weekend. 

At Southeast we joined the course of the Moyleman, and running in the opposite direction, set off, across the C7 and along a farm track. Then we turned, and found ourselves in front of a slope of Eiger-ish steepness. The Cat disappeared up it into the mist, and I followed some way behind. At the top we met the route of the Jog Shop Twenty, which every Sussex runner will be delighted to know will continue, and off we went towards the Yellow Brick Road. Visibility here was minimal, and the mist enriched by thick smoke from a burning pile of something agricultural. A Land Rover charged me, but missed.

Photo by @charliecat5

At the end of the Yellow Brick Road, we followed the side of the hill, remarking on the splendour of the views on clearer days. We took a downhill towards Kingston, but the Cat asked, with mischief in his eyes, if I fancied a contour run. Since this sounded flat, I agreed, and off we went on sheep-paths. The Cat is, I’m sure, part-goat, and sped off round the side of the hill; I followed, picking my way along the narrow path with care. 

Then down to Kingston Ridge, turning into Kingston village, and across fields to Lewes. For me, 11.5 miles and around 250m of elevation. The Cat ran before our rendez-vous, and homewards, making a half-marathon. You may read more of his adventures on Running Commentary.