Making the most of the late summer sun, yesterday Spock, Dani, Tess, Stella and I went for a little mini-hike along the South Downs Way. I originally thought it was about 5 miles, then looked a bit more closely at the map and decided it was about seven. Then today I plotted it on to gmaps and it was actually nearer nine miles. We took the train to Glynde and walked south across the fields, crossing the A27, and on up the fairly steep ascent to the top of the Downs. Then we walked across the top, looking out to sea. It was a really beautiful day; clear, warm and breezy. We carried on to Firle Beacon and then down the northern side into the village of Alciston, which is about as idyllic an English village as you're ever likely to find. Stopped at the Rose & Crown Inn and had a long leisurely lunch in the garden. I thought it was quite interesting that everyone was talking about blisters and aching feet and legs, because I actually felt completely fine. I didn't say anything, but I just thought - a couple of years ago, it would've been the complete opposite. I would've probably been still on the first ascent while they were all in the pub. It's such a total novelty for me to be marching off ahead on the steep bits while everyone else is twenty feet behind. It was completely knackering though, in parts. My heart rate was probably easily as fast as it would be on an average run.

I found this image of a painting of Firle Beacon on the web, which I really like. And it shows the gradient quite well.



After lunch we carried on to the village of Berwick, another couple of miles away, but mainly flat. We missed the train by one minute and spent the wait in another pub before catching the next train back to Brighton. All said we must do it more often. As soon as I got back, I felt compelled to go to the gym for some strange reason. It's right next door to the station I suppose.

Saturday:

8.8 mile walk
10 x mins crosstrainer
3 x mile run
20 x mins powerplate

Sunday:

10 x min crosstrainer
3 x mile run
20 x mins powerplate