Author: Hugh Martin

I suggest we do the Convent Run tomorrow – it’s about 12 miles and pretty flat with plenty of shortcuts. Perhaps we should include Sayers Common this time.

We all have different agendas, of course, so it’s virtually impossible to plan a run that suits everyone. However I think it would be a retrograde step if people started doing their own thing – one of the strengths of the Joggers is that we don’t usually split up into groups, despite the range of ability and the runbacks are helping with this. I suggest we do the Poynings run this Saturday. It’s about 12 miles and pretty flat with opportunities for shortcuts. If anyone wants a longer run, they can either carry on up the A23 to Hickstead and return via Wineham or do a loop round the village at the end

By popular demand it’s the ‘big hill’ this Saturday. 13.5 miles and 1,500 feet of ascent, although there are the usual shortcuts and even extensions available. There will be refreshments at Golding Barn and there’s water at the Youth Hostel, of course. The pace will be steady, runbacks are de rigueur and conversation is encouraged. In the words of Ellie Goulding, ‘what are you waiting for’?

This is Saturday’s suggested run of about 10 miles, unless we need to check out part of the half marathon course. The route is an alternative to the usual one to Upper Beeding along the Downs Link, so there won’t be an opportunity for any ‘burn ups’!

I suggest we do the Monastery run tomorrow – it’s about 11 miles and fairly flat and, having already run 21 miles this week, I am not looking to do anything very ambitious myself. We can cut out some road by running past Park Farm and taking the track off the Albourne road that comes out in Wineham Lane just before the bridge [we did some of this in the reverse direction last week and it’s in good condition, although can be very muddy).

I don’t perceive any wish for a particularly long run in this heat and it is the BBQ in the evening, so the Convent Run of about 11 miles might fit the bill tomorrow. I, for one, will be taking it quite slowly and I suggest we take the traditional route, rather than the somewhat overgrown version that we did last time!

It seems ages since I created a Saturday Morning event (it isn’t, I’m just getting old!) however this 11 to 12 miles round Poynings is going to seem tame after the 3 Peaks, but part of the reason that we were so successful last weekend is that we keep knocking out these runs – and, of course, others – week after week……

Now the bluebell quest is over, I suggest those of us not running the Petworth Park half marathon do the Monastery Run on Saturday. It’s 11/12 miles with, as usual, plenty of opportunities for short cuts and is pretty flat.