There are now four weeks to go till the Brighton Half. From this moment forward, apart from a small sherry when Mrs R and I watch University Challenge tomorrow, no alcoholic drink will pass my lips until I cross the line on Sunday 25th February. I hope wine merchants and port shippers survive the drastic fall in trade; it’s only for four weeks.

This is a significant point; I now have twelve weeks of training behind me; I’ll do one more long run, perhaps ten miles or so next weekend, then a shorter one the following Sunday, and there’s a cross-country event the week before.

This week was made up of the following:

1. A Striders run on Wednesday, My group has done interval sessions for the past few weeks, and one of us had knee twinges, so we went for a steady run. I promised them four miles, which somehow turned into five. Nevertheless, they remained cheerful and speedy.
2. An evening run on Friday. It won’t be long before a run after work on Friday will be in, if not daylight, twilight at least
3. And finally, today, twelve miles, Seaford to Newhaven and back.After last week’s mud bath, I thought that I needed to run on road, the surface of the Brighton Half. I set off in good form, and fairly fast. The wind struck cold when I arrived at the sea-front, and I was glad of the running fleece I wore on top of a long-sleeved shirt. I followed the promenade to the sailing club, then took the cycle path to Newhaven. After crossing the bridge, I headed inland, down a twitten and past the boatyards, to run a circuit of the Riverside Park by the side of the Ouse. The return journey was hard, and degenerated into a savage plod. I had to add in a loop up Seaford Head to make up the distance to 12 miles, the furthest I’ll run in training. I was hungry and thirsty, and tore into some leftover roast lamb and gravy, washed down with an Adnams Ghost Ship. 

Last night it was the Seaford Striders’ awards evening. I was pleased to see awards go to many who’d done the Couch to 5k, and astonished to receive an award for endeavour; but that was nothing to my surprise when I was also asked to present an award named after me, a 5k award, which I was delighted to present to Sandra Standen, who took herself, with outstanding determination, from couch to regular appearances at Peacehaven parkrun. Well done, Sandra. 

Total mileage this week: 22.5 miles
Four weeks till the Brighton Half. Running for the BSUH Charity: sponsor me