The first week of training for the Brighton half marathon is over, and there are fifteen more to go. This week comprised some speed work with the Striders on Seaford seafront, an early morning run on Friday, and today the second event in the East Sussex Cross Country League 2016-17 season, the Warren Hill race.
Warren Hill takes place just outside Eastbourne, on the downs inland from Beachy Head. After some reading and a minute’s silence, it being Remembrance Sunday, we set off. The route takes runners through the car park where we left our cars, and on a long descent, till we saw BIrling Gap and Belle Tout not far away. A herd of kamikaze sheep decided they had to cross our path. At the bottom, I expected mud, after heavy rain the day before, but apart from the odd puddle, it was reasonably firm underfoot. Then, after running along the bottom, at about the three mile point we turned and started the long climb back to the road. On the lower slopes, I was overtaken, but as we neared the road, I was able to overtake others. Back on the road, and then a short uphill to the finish. Here too, I caught up with some other runners, and was ticked off for my lack of gallantry in overtaking a lady near the finish. The results have yet to appear, but according to my own records I was 2 minutes 20 second faster than 2015.
Next week training will have to fit in with a strange week. I have to go to London, so may miss Wednesday night with the Striders, and Sunday is the day of the Brighton 10k. So it will probably be a low-mileage week. The only other race in the offing is the Crowborough 10k, the following Sunday, the last event of the Sussex Grand Prix.
Total mileage this week: 14.4 miles
105 days till the Brighton Half.
I’m running the Brighton Half for the Stroke Association. Find out more and sponsor me.
