The run tomorrow evening needs to be short and [hopefully] sweet, so everyone can get to the AGM on time. This one is only about 5 miles and the route can be varied, according to the state of the terrain.
Author: Hugh Martin
Saturday Morning 22nd November
We are meeting at HLC this Saturday at 8am, as usual, then driving down to Findon to join up with a BOSH group (A group of runners that exist as a Facebook group and to whom a few of us also belong – search on Facebook for more details) who are running basically the same route round Cissbury and Chanctonbury as we did last week. The cross on the map below shows the location of the car park at Cissbury if anyone prefers to go straight there. The run starts at 8.30am and is between 9 and 11 miles, depending on whether a circuit of Cissbury is included.
Saturday 15th November updated
OK – this is a revised, updated route for tomorrow as the original 18 miler was the subject of much Facebook discussion! It involves driving down to Steyning Bowl and is a lovely undulating run of about 9 or 11 miles, depending whether Cissbury is included. Meet at HLC as usual at 8am and transport will be provided!!!
Saturday Morning 1st November – Pinch, Punch First of the Month
I suggest Lock Farm on Saturday – it’s just under 11 miles and there are variations, such as heading east at Moat Farm onto Honeybridge Lane to shorten the stretch along Spithandle Lane. I won’t be pushing the pace after Beachy last w/e, so it might be an opportunity for people who haven’t done a Saturday morning run to give it a go.
Beachy Head Marathon Review
After a miserably wet day on Friday, last Saturday dawned dry and reasonably bright, so the weather was no excuse for not setting out for Eastbourne, anticipating a reasonably good time, despite my lack of training. However the contrast with Clarendon a few weeks earlier could not have been greater! Firstly it was just Mark and myself, rather than a whole minibus full of Joggers, and secondly Beachy is a very different course.
I had not run a marathon before Clarendon since Brighton back in April and had missed more runs in the summer than for several years. Despite this and through starting slowly, I had felt pretty good over the last 6 miles at Clarendon, partly, but not entirely, due to my running companion.
I therefore started Beachy more slowly than I had ever done so, walking up not just hills, but relatively slight inclines. I tried to make up for this by running the flat and downhill sections fairly quickly, but I was nevertheless slightly surprised to be joined by Mark, who had said he would be running particularly slowly as he had laryngitis, after about 10 miles. It was muddy underfoot in places, but the weather was fine and the views as superb as ever.
However I stuck to my plan and it must have taken me longer to get to Litlington after 18 miles than it ever had, although I comforted myself with the thought that I would repeat my Clarendon experience. I could not have been more wrong! Those last 8 miles at Beachy are tougher than any I know in marathon, which I should have remembered, having done them on 23 previous occasions, so it’s as well get to Litlington as quickly as possible.
A combination of gels and Neurofen kept me going, together with the inimitable banter with Mark and I was able to muster quite a fast downhill mile, although I was pipped at the finish not only by him, but also an American young lady we met. I realised afterwards I should have carried a bottle of water to be refilled at the checkpoints like I did at Clarendon, as it was quite a humid day and it’s impossible drink enough out of a half filled cup.
The next time I run Beachy it will be my 25th and I am determined to prepare better. As one of my friends said, if you don’t, it will bite you, as it’s not a marathon to be taken lightly.
Saturday Morning 18th October
If it looks a bit wet on Saturday, I suggest we do this run of about 10.5 miles, which has more road than usual, but should not involve too much slipping and sliding around in the mud! Oh and good luck to the Brutal 10k-ers in the mud!!!!! Remember, 8am at HLC.
Saturday Morning 11th October
Those of us who ran a marathon last w/e are not looking for a particularly long run this Saturday and so this one is only about 10.5 miles. Anyone who would like to go further – and higher – is welcome to extend the route past the quarry at Golding Barn up onto the Downs to Truleigh Youth Hostel.
Saturday Morning 27th September
Another one of our favourite Saturday morning routes – it’s about 12.5 miles and fairly flat on mainly good paths and tracks. The only downside is the stretch along Spithandle Lane, but at least it’s in the right direction!
Saturday Morning 20th September
The classic Monastery Run that we haven’t done for a while, although we did a short part of it during the run from the Windmill. It’s about 12 miles and fairly flat, contains a stretch of road, Derek’s bridge and a short hill – a bit of everything really! As usual, short cuts are available for anyone daunted by the distance, although they will probably end up running the whole way.
Saturday Morning 6th September
This is the Poynings run that Danielle has requested we do on Saturday. It’s about 12 miles and fairly flat with opportunities for short cuts.
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