Where do I re-start? by philk

Was undecided today. Wanted a long run, preferably around 14 miles but wanted to do it all off road and relatively flat. I can run 14 miles of up and down, up, up and down, up, up, up and down around here but finding a pretty flat course is not easy. Could have gone round the island and added a little bit but been there, done that, and wanted somewhere new. Considered a drive up to my dads and a jog along the Basingstoke Canal but wasn't sure of the snow situation up there (could have rang him I suppose!). Looked up a few dismantled railway lines and found one in Chichester that looked OK. So off I, and the dog, went at 9am this morning.

Brrr... -  too bloody early, it was cold. Very cold. Wore an under shirt and t shirt and shorts today.

Centurion Way - went  here route in the end. Eventually found the path but could find nowhere to park so ended up the other side of the railway line and walking in (a gentle warm up?). Set off, Garmin OK, dog OK, then found it is probably one of the busiest cycle  path and dog walking  areas on the planet! Honestly, if I wasn't dodging speeding cyclists I was putting the dog back on his lead. Kept going thinking things would thin out soon enough but for the first three miles they didn't. Cyclist riding 4 abreast across their path, dog walkers with 6 or even 7 dogs, off the lead, and yapping at mine who is on a lead but straining to get at them. It was awful. The people of Chichester are so rude. BUT being an ignorant old b'stard myself I carried on, eventually got out in the sticks where there were fewer people. Here the path changed from gravel to mud. It was still hard underfoot due to the frost and ice but it was beginning to thaw, and this was a problem on the way back. Got to the end of the path which was only 5 miles and not 6 as the map said. Never mind, turn round and headed back. By now the mud was slippery and I was in road shoes. Got through that and started to meet dogs and cyclists and more dogs and more cyclists and gangs of school kids who all own the path we were on. I was so thankful to get back to the car after doing just 10 miles that I packed up there and then.

Centurion Way pt II - never again. Nice run, quite scenic, some interesting statues along the way and old railway markings (telegraph poles, sleepers, station (now flats)), some anti tank defences from WWII, Brandy Hole (smugglers caves) but such ignorant people. I don't want to get to know them but I would like them to get the fuck out of my way when I am running towards them or give my dog room to pass by, or even a nod of thanks when I stop and hold him off the path so they can get by. But no (actually, one other jogger smiled) so we will not be going there again.

Thursday - I intend to pop up to Surrey for a jog along the Basingstoke Canal or Cranleigh Line. Will decide on the day. Is it silly to drive 50 miles to run 10?

Never ever give up

2012                                                                                                                                    Miles Ran 131                                                                                                                       Weight Loss 11lb