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Wednesday 30 May 2012
Why are we doing this?
Why are we doing this run? Why are we asking you for money?
Good questions.
The charity we're raising money for is Scout and Guide expedition Tanzania 2012, being run through Hampshire County Scout Council. The exped is a project whereby 39 Scouts, Guides and leaders are going to Tanzania in August to build and complete a medical centre in a village called Itete. We will be working with African Space Trust, the charitable arm of the company African Space, and the local residents and the father of the village church, to ensure this project all goes smoothly and is exactly as the locals want it to be.
The more money we raise, the more we can do in this medical centre and dispensary, and it even gives us the possibility of being able to stock it with medical supplies for the 9000 people living in and around the village.
It's an opportunity of a lifetime for the young people who are all working hard to fundraise towards this project, and it's an absolute privilege to be going with them - I am a very proud leader of a fantastic bunch of young people.
This is where your cash is going. Straight into bricks, mortar and sterile equipment, directly helping people who have suffered with very poor medical facilities, and providing these volunteers with a life experience they will work their hardest on and keep the memories forever.
There'll be wards with beds for people to be looked after. A separate maternity ward. Children's ward. Consultation rooms. There'll be educational services for things like malaria and HIV. There'll be vaccination services so people can be protected from diseases that are rife in Tanzania, but easily preventable.
That's why we're running.
That's why you're giving.
Thank you to everyone who's given generously so far - you help us put one foot in front of the other when it all gets too much!
If you've not given us a couple of quid yet... here's the link. http://www.charitygiving.co.uk/greensandway2012
Thank you so much.
Claire xx
Tuesday 29 May 2012
2 days to go...
2 more days of school, 2 more days of sorrow! 2 more days at work and then the big run starts.....
I'm simultaneously excited and scared about this run. We've not prepared longer than a 2 day run - what do normal ultramarathoners do? Just keep running, I expect.
My favourite method of mental prep has been looking through all the photos and the blogs and remembering every good bit, every funny bit, every silly bit, every bit where Lee needs a jelly baby and Dave makes a stupid joke and Dan falls over. I'm so excited about seeing the whole path again. Some bits of the Greensand Way near Godalming, we've not seen in MONTHS. They'll be like old friends.
My major worry is the fact that it's going to hurt. It's going to hurt. Fortunately I've been given some sage advice by my physio (that's just...ice it). And the boys are going to be running mummified in KT Tape! I think the fact that when we're on day 3 - uncharted territory in terms of length of running, we'll be on the home stretch. Day 4 I imagine will be a massive blur, but it'll end in Haslemere and so will we.
Fundraising update:
The fundraising has been going amazingly so far. Thank you to everyone who's been so generous and helped to spread the word too. I'm going to try not to cry thinking about it. We smashed through the £2000 mark and are now at £2339.77. Thanks to the Guildford Hash House Harriers for giving us their spare change last night - you raised £96.50. Thank you thank you thank you.
Last night at the Guildford Hash House Harriers AGM, Lee and I were fortunate enough to be welcomed into the GH3 Mismanagement as Social Media secs - aka "Twit Twats". So in conjunction with the work that Ponce has done on the GH3 Facebook we'll be setting up a GH3 Twitter and blog for the hash notes to continue on.
Thank you to everyone who's been reading our silly notes and looking at our funny pictures and donating to our cause at www.charitygiving.co.uk/greensandway2012.
Please keep supporting us if you can - tell your friends, text or tweet radio stations, shout it out your windows!
And don't forget we are having a post-run party - to which you are all invited.
It's on the 9th June at the Royal Oak, Guildford (GU1 3RR)
The theme is "Red Carpet Runners" - Posh Frocks & High-Tops, Compression Wear & Cummerbunds, Trainers & Tuxes
The Charley Farley Sunday Four (www.cfs4.com) will be playing some of their unique skiffle pop as part of the celebration and to get you in the party mood.
And there will be a raffle with some staggeringly huge prizes too!
You can RSVP here https://www.facebook.com/events/459022650790130/ or just turn up! We'd love to see you there.
PS if you know anyone who can help with raffle prizes, please do let us know - we'd love to offer even more prizes!
On on,
Scrum Muffin/Claire
I'm simultaneously excited and scared about this run. We've not prepared longer than a 2 day run - what do normal ultramarathoners do? Just keep running, I expect.
My favourite method of mental prep has been looking through all the photos and the blogs and remembering every good bit, every funny bit, every silly bit, every bit where Lee needs a jelly baby and Dave makes a stupid joke and Dan falls over. I'm so excited about seeing the whole path again. Some bits of the Greensand Way near Godalming, we've not seen in MONTHS. They'll be like old friends.
My major worry is the fact that it's going to hurt. It's going to hurt. Fortunately I've been given some sage advice by my physio (that's just...ice it). And the boys are going to be running mummified in KT Tape! I think the fact that when we're on day 3 - uncharted territory in terms of length of running, we'll be on the home stretch. Day 4 I imagine will be a massive blur, but it'll end in Haslemere and so will we.
Fundraising update:
The fundraising has been going amazingly so far. Thank you to everyone who's been so generous and helped to spread the word too. I'm going to try not to cry thinking about it. We smashed through the £2000 mark and are now at £2339.77. Thanks to the Guildford Hash House Harriers for giving us their spare change last night - you raised £96.50. Thank you thank you thank you.
Last night at the Guildford Hash House Harriers AGM, Lee and I were fortunate enough to be welcomed into the GH3 Mismanagement as Social Media secs - aka "Twit Twats". So in conjunction with the work that Ponce has done on the GH3 Facebook we'll be setting up a GH3 Twitter and blog for the hash notes to continue on.
Thank you to everyone who's been reading our silly notes and looking at our funny pictures and donating to our cause at www.charitygiving.co.uk/greensandway2012.
Please keep supporting us if you can - tell your friends, text or tweet radio stations, shout it out your windows!
And don't forget we are having a post-run party - to which you are all invited.
It's on the 9th June at the Royal Oak, Guildford (GU1 3RR)
The theme is "Red Carpet Runners" - Posh Frocks & High-Tops, Compression Wear & Cummerbunds, Trainers & Tuxes
The Charley Farley Sunday Four (www.cfs4.com) will be playing some of their unique skiffle pop as part of the celebration and to get you in the party mood.
And there will be a raffle with some staggeringly huge prizes too!
You can RSVP here https://www.facebook.com/events/459022650790130/ or just turn up! We'd love to see you there.
PS if you know anyone who can help with raffle prizes, please do let us know - we'd love to offer even more prizes!
On on,
Scrum Muffin/Claire
Sunday 27 May 2012
Loads of Hash in Lees Garden
It was hashing time again on Monday night. This was to be a special hash for Scrum Muffin (Claire) and Little Pecker (me) as we were setting the hash. We chose the White Horse at Hascombe as the 'On Inn' so that Guildford Hash House Harriers got to experience a little that the Greensand Way has to offer.
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| Little Pecker was the 'Live Hare' at the White Horse on the Greensand Way |
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| Scrum Muffin was 'check in chicken' at the white horse on the Greensand Way |
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| Some runners from Amsterdam Joined us on the Hash at the White Horse at Hascombe on the Greensand Way |
It was great to see some new faces (visitors) as usual. There were even two chaps from Amsterdam who were in for quite a shock when they were to meet some 'uphill' terrain they had never experienced before.
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| Little Pecker lays the flour trail in Busbridge Woods |
So off I went at 7.15 pm. running as fast as I could I went straight up the Hurtwood on the Greensand Way before diverting across it towards Little Burgate Farm. Laying little flour marks and 'checking' circles as I went. Music in my headphones blaring I was determined they wouldnt catch me!
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| Flour trail near Little Burgate Farm |
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| Hasher at sunset at Little Burgate Farm near the Greensand Way |
As Scrum Muffin kept things calm at the rear of the pack the guys at the front found themselves climbing a very steep path I call the treasure path and bursting out in to someones garden!
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| Guildford Hash House Harriers at a beer stop in Hascombe at Little Peckers House. |
The Garden was mine and they found me relaxing there with a little beer in hand welcoming everyone to the halfway mark and a beer stop. Always a welcome surprise on any hilly run.
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| Useful signpost near Hascombe near the Greensand Way |
It was nice for me to leave my garden with the group and continue on back towards the White Horse. We ran them out through a part of Hascombe Grange and back down towards Hascombe. Eventually we popped out back by the pond at Hascombe where the Hashers rejoined the Greensand Way for the final sprint back to the car park.
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| hashing flour marks at the pond in hascombe on the Greensand Way |
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| Flour trails marking the hash on the Greensand Way |
There are so many beautiful trails in this area we are bound to bring the hashers back here again soon. In the meantime it felt fitting that we were there less than two weeks before our main run in a place where we had trained, done an Easter Runday and led 2 hashes.
There is a small chance some of the flour may still mark the way when we do our actual run on the Jubilee weekend.
On On !
Little Pecker
Thursday 24 May 2012
Snakes, Ladders, The Statue of Libertree and 'Cows' with no Udders on the Sussex Border Path
Last Saturday was to be the final 'big' run before the main event in less than a week. To keep things fresh and interesting we planned an off road marathon linking the end of the Greensand Way in Haslemere with where Dan and Dave live in Portsmouth (just in case they wanted to run home after running the whole Greensand Way).
Dave and I spent weeks planning our off road routes ( I was to get us from Haslemere to Petersfield and Dave from there to Portsmouth). We looked at Ordnance Survey maps, scratched our heads, used google and conversed by email.
Whilst we planned a meticulous and highly complex route involving various trails we then noticed the day before that the Sussex Border Path ran continuously from Haslemere all the way to Rowlands Castle.
So.....er.....we did that.
The night before in true Greensand Way style we took the opportunity to 'carb load' with multiple 'sports drinks' at the Royal Oak pub in Guildford. As well as it being a Ukejam night we had the amazing T34 s playing and our band Genevieve and The Zut Alors were supporting.
The above photo is courtesy of Paul Tansy the Photographer. Check out his website at
We had an absolute blast and everyone had a great time.
I woke up at a shocking 6.30 am because Dave and Dan suggested we meet at Haslemere at 8 am to set off. While Claire and I waited just inside the train station at Haslemere at 8am impatiently waiting for Dan and Dave they were sat just outside Haslemere station waitinf for Claire and me. We ran through the streets of Haslemere until we got to Marley Combe. Here we could use the serpent trail to link us up with the Sussex Border path. This was a day when all of us were doing a final road test with all the kit we would use on the main Greensand Way run. Claire had a new Osprey rucksack and Dave and Dan were running with their full kit too. (well nearly).
Having followed the Serpent Trail for a while we met up with the Sussex Border Path and very quickly came across a bench overlooking a scenic pond. We took this opportunity to do some 'Smacking' - Smiling with our Back.
We ran on through the paths shaded by the woods running through Linchmere and Stanley Common and eventually got to Liphook. This was on the border with West Sussex and Hampshire so we had managed to run in 3 counties in one day.
I was very pleased to see from 'Science' that the Sussex Border Path took us straight through the middle of another Golf Course. We took this opportunity to improve our golf swings while running. We did notice that we were at the end of the driving range so we didnt stick around for too long.
Having spent most of the morning running through relatively flat woodland the scenery opened up as we ran out of Durford Wood and we got our first glimpse of the South Downs in the distance which we would be crossing over in the afternoon. It was fantastic.
Dan took the opportunity to climb a ladder and get a better view. It was nice for him to see how the world looks from Daves point of view for a change.
The 'urban' part of our team - Dave and Dan - like to point out strips of tarmac and roads and proclaim 'this is the portsmouth way' . They also sport more 'urban' interpretations of running gear like white trainers. The stretch we ran before lunch got more and more 'shiggy' until the mud was very deep and all over the place. Claire and I laughed a lot as Dan and Dave did everything they could to avoid getting muddy including climbing along a barbed wire fence rather than running through the mud.
'Cowmaggedon' came next . This happened at Down Park Farm. We had a difficult field to navigate where the next stage of the path wasn't clear. i used 'Science' to 'fly by instruments' across the field watching the blip on the screen and making sure it stayed on the green line. As I did this a herd of 'cows' came over to us and starting coralling Claire and I. The 'urban team' were having none of it and backed off to leave Claire and I in the middle of a large field.
Normally 'Cows' just ignore you as you go by but these guys were much more 'frisky'. Everytime we turned our back they were almost charging us. Eye contact was mainly enough to see them off and they would stop mid charge and rejoin the group.
We eventually got across the field with me commenting that it reminded me of a time I had been surrounded underwater by a school of barracuda. Whilst all the drama unfolded the 'urban team' had slipped across the field unnoticed as Claire and I had been the distraction.
It was only in the evening after the run that closer inspection of our photos by Dr G my wife that she pointed out that 'Cows' with no udders......were called BULLS.
We took another shortcut using about 1.5 mile of road to get to lunch in The White Hart Pub in South Harting. We took the shortcut as the terrain had been very muddy and had severely slowed us down and we were long past the half way mark of the run and needed to eat.
This was a great opportunity for me to realise I had spent the entire morning running with my compression top on back to front....and change it round in the toilets. It was also a chance for Dan to smack his head really hard on a low beam and leave a bruise the size of a kinder egg right on top of his head. This would be the first of many minor injuries for him on this run.
After Lunch we crossed the South Downs Way on the South Harting Down at a point called Forty Acre Lane. We then ran on and I began to make a series of increasingly more stupid navigational errors which got us off track a number of times. The first time in the afternoon I missed a split in the track and we had to go up a very steep hill off track to rejoin the Sussex Border Path. This led to 'Bramblegeddon' and Dan got his bare 'urban' legs scraped to bits.
The next time was even worse and we were so off track it was easier to navigate a whole new route past a farm called Eckensfield. Claire and I noticed that it had a tree we thought looked like the statue of Liberty so we named it the Statue of Libertree.
We rejoined the Sussex Border Path (again) and ran along until we got to Chalton. Here it was simply a matter of turning south and running over the Chalton Down. It was much more scenic and we could see Ditcham Park School in the distance.
As we ran over the Idsworth Down it occured to me that as we got to the top of the rolling hill we might be able to see the coast. As we got to the crest of the hill not only could we see the coast but we saw 5 deer run across in the distance in front of Dave and Dan. This was magic.
As we ran through The folly Dan became a tumbling tosser and fell over brilliantly cutting his hands and getting himself dirty. We laughed while Claire patched him up with our first aid kit.
We got into Rowlands Castle about 4pm and enjoyed a nice cool pint and some free sandwiches at the pub by the train station. We were all surprised at how good we felt. This is probably a sign of the training we have done.
We got on the train in separate directions. Dan and Dave heading back to Portsmouth and Claire and I back to Godalming. The train journey back was a great chance to whizz past all the bits we had run that day in a 45 min high speed review.
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| The Sussex Border Path sign near Marley Combe |
Dave and I spent weeks planning our off road routes ( I was to get us from Haslemere to Petersfield and Dave from there to Portsmouth). We looked at Ordnance Survey maps, scratched our heads, used google and conversed by email.
Whilst we planned a meticulous and highly complex route involving various trails we then noticed the day before that the Sussex Border Path ran continuously from Haslemere all the way to Rowlands Castle.
So.....er.....we did that.
The night before in true Greensand Way style we took the opportunity to 'carb load' with multiple 'sports drinks' at the Royal Oak pub in Guildford. As well as it being a Ukejam night we had the amazing T34 s playing and our band Genevieve and The Zut Alors were supporting.
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| 'Lorraine Quiche' and 'Alain Gateaux' playing with Genevieve and the Zut Alors at the Royal Oak Guildford |
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| Al Murray and the mighty T 34s rock the Royal Oak in Guildford |
We had an absolute blast and everyone had a great time.
I woke up at a shocking 6.30 am because Dave and Dan suggested we meet at Haslemere at 8 am to set off. While Claire and I waited just inside the train station at Haslemere at 8am impatiently waiting for Dan and Dave they were sat just outside Haslemere station waitinf for Claire and me. We ran through the streets of Haslemere until we got to Marley Combe. Here we could use the serpent trail to link us up with the Sussex Border path. This was a day when all of us were doing a final road test with all the kit we would use on the main Greensand Way run. Claire had a new Osprey rucksack and Dave and Dan were running with their full kit too. (well nearly).
 |
| Dan and Dave meet up with the Sussex Border Path near linchmere |
Having followed the Serpent Trail for a while we met up with the Sussex Border Path and very quickly came across a bench overlooking a scenic pond. We took this opportunity to do some 'Smacking' - Smiling with our Back.
 |
| Dan does some 'smacking' - smiling with your back on the Sussex Border Path |
We ran on through the paths shaded by the woods running through Linchmere and Stanley Common and eventually got to Liphook. This was on the border with West Sussex and Hampshire so we had managed to run in 3 counties in one day.
 |
| Dan Dave and Claire at the border on the Sussex Border Path |
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| Lee Dave and Dan at the border on the Sussex Border Path |
I was very pleased to see from 'Science' that the Sussex Border Path took us straight through the middle of another Golf Course. We took this opportunity to improve our golf swings while running. We did notice that we were at the end of the driving range so we didnt stick around for too long.
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| Practicing our golf swings whilst running through Liphook on the Sussex Border Path |
The run was great, the sun was out and there were very few hills. The woodland was quite dense so with the lack of hills we rarely got any impressive views. We also found that the serpent trail merged with the Sussex Border Path a lot and also weaved through it making navigation a bit confusing at times. ( I got us lost a total of 4 times on this run!). This did also lead to us looking at the map and taking a short cut at Langley which we were very pleased with ourselves at because it made us feel naughty.
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| Claire Dave and Dan looking out at the South Downs near Durford Wood on the Sussex Border Path |
Having spent most of the morning running through relatively flat woodland the scenery opened up as we ran out of Durford Wood and we got our first glimpse of the South Downs in the distance which we would be crossing over in the afternoon. It was fantastic.
 |
| Dan goes up a ladder on the Sussex Border Path |
Dan took the opportunity to climb a ladder and get a better view. It was nice for him to see how the world looks from Daves point of view for a change.
The 'urban' part of our team - Dave and Dan - like to point out strips of tarmac and roads and proclaim 'this is the portsmouth way' . They also sport more 'urban' interpretations of running gear like white trainers. The stretch we ran before lunch got more and more 'shiggy' until the mud was very deep and all over the place. Claire and I laughed a lot as Dan and Dave did everything they could to avoid getting muddy including climbing along a barbed wire fence rather than running through the mud.
 |
| Dan and Dave 'urban runners' avoid shiggy by climbing along a barb wire fence. |
'Cowmaggedon' came next . This happened at Down Park Farm. We had a difficult field to navigate where the next stage of the path wasn't clear. i used 'Science' to 'fly by instruments' across the field watching the blip on the screen and making sure it stayed on the green line. As I did this a herd of 'cows' came over to us and starting coralling Claire and I. The 'urban team' were having none of it and backed off to leave Claire and I in the middle of a large field.
Normally 'Cows' just ignore you as you go by but these guys were much more 'frisky'. Everytime we turned our back they were almost charging us. Eye contact was mainly enough to see them off and they would stop mid charge and rejoin the group.
We eventually got across the field with me commenting that it reminded me of a time I had been surrounded underwater by a school of barracuda. Whilst all the drama unfolded the 'urban team' had slipped across the field unnoticed as Claire and I had been the distraction.
It was only in the evening after the run that closer inspection of our photos by Dr G my wife that she pointed out that 'Cows' with no udders......were called BULLS.
 |
| Cowmaggedon - look at the posture of the brown Bull with white head to the right of Claire |
We took another shortcut using about 1.5 mile of road to get to lunch in The White Hart Pub in South Harting. We took the shortcut as the terrain had been very muddy and had severely slowed us down and we were long past the half way mark of the run and needed to eat.
This was a great opportunity for me to realise I had spent the entire morning running with my compression top on back to front....and change it round in the toilets. It was also a chance for Dan to smack his head really hard on a low beam and leave a bruise the size of a kinder egg right on top of his head. This would be the first of many minor injuries for him on this run.
 |
| Crossing the South Downs Way on the Sussex Border Path near South Harting |
After Lunch we crossed the South Downs Way on the South Harting Down at a point called Forty Acre Lane. We then ran on and I began to make a series of increasingly more stupid navigational errors which got us off track a number of times. The first time in the afternoon I missed a split in the track and we had to go up a very steep hill off track to rejoin the Sussex Border Path. This led to 'Bramblegeddon' and Dan got his bare 'urban' legs scraped to bits.
 |
| The 'Statue of Libertree' on the Sussex Border Path (well actually just off it) |
The next time was even worse and we were so off track it was easier to navigate a whole new route past a farm called Eckensfield. Claire and I noticed that it had a tree we thought looked like the statue of Liberty so we named it the Statue of Libertree.
We rejoined the Sussex Border Path (again) and ran along until we got to Chalton. Here it was simply a matter of turning south and running over the Chalton Down. It was much more scenic and we could see Ditcham Park School in the distance.
 |
| Dan and Dave running up Chalton Down on the Sussex Border Path |
We took a quick break on the railway bridge that crossed at Chalton and then ran towards the Staunton Way . This would take us down to Rowlands Castle about 4 miles away.
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| Taking a rest at Chalton on the Sussex Border Path |
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| Claire joins the Staunton Way on our run |
As we ran over the Idsworth Down it occured to me that as we got to the top of the rolling hill we might be able to see the coast. As we got to the crest of the hill not only could we see the coast but we saw 5 deer run across in the distance in front of Dave and Dan. This was magic.
 |
| Dan and Dave running along Idsworth Down on the Sussex Border Path |
As we ran through The folly Dan became a tumbling tosser and fell over brilliantly cutting his hands and getting himself dirty. We laughed while Claire patched him up with our first aid kit.
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| Dan with - Bruise on head, cut hand and scraped legs |
We got into Rowlands Castle about 4pm and enjoyed a nice cool pint and some free sandwiches at the pub by the train station. We were all surprised at how good we felt. This is probably a sign of the training we have done.
 |
| Lee Claire and Dave at the finish |
We got on the train in separate directions. Dan and Dave heading back to Portsmouth and Claire and I back to Godalming. The train journey back was a great chance to whizz past all the bits we had run that day in a 45 min high speed review.
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| Rucksacks getting a well earned rest on the way home |
So thats it. The next time the 'urban crew' and ' hashers' meet will be THE BIG RUN. It is hard to believe we are a week away now at time of writing this.
We've done the training, chosen our kit, practiced our navigation... There is little more to do. We are now in a 'wind down' stage where we rest more and more and train less as the days go on.
We've got a few more blogs yet , A hash Claire and I are leading with the Guildford Hash House Harriers and as well as the main run, we have an amazing after run party booked at the Royal Oak in Guildford on the 9th June.
Dont forget that we have a charity donation page here
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| The Greensand Way 4 |
Sunday 20 May 2012
Kent Day 2 - Fake Birds, Danger Exits, Big Doody, Briny Beverages, Jurassic Park, Racing Motorbikes, Losing a bit of Lees eyebrow and the Seven Stages of Running Grief
Sorry its taken so long to get the blogs up for our long Greensand Way Kent 55 mile weekend. Here is the blog for day 2! Day 1 will follow soon. (sorry about the crazy order!)
Warning! Long runs mean long blogs. Feel free to digest this in two halfs as A LOT happened on this day but I dont want to bore you to tears. Ill put a half time in so you can go make a cup of tea or something. OK??
We pick up the fun after a days running and an overnight stay in the Scout Hut at Boughton Monchelsea.
The Vango Banshee 200 is a fantastic tent. Lightweight, easy to put up and spacious if you are 5 ft 4 like me.
A scout hut by comparison is like staying in the Grosvenor House Hotel. Indoor Toilet, A KITCHEN! TV , X Box and HEATING ! This was a luxurious overnight stay indeed. Despite our 30 or so miles the previous day we awoke surprisingly untired and with very few aches and pains. I had used KT Tape the previous day on my calves and they didnt feel at all stiff that morning.
I got the night on the leather couch (because I got first shotgun dibs on it and I am not chivalrous) and Claire woke up on the floor nearby on her thermarest.
I had a cup of tea with sugar with the teabag left in. Claire had a three spoon cup of coffee and we both had hot porridge for breakfast ( I had sugar in mine). We set off 15 minutes AHEAD OF SCHEDULE with the sun shining and a pure blue sky.
We were starting our run towards Linton which was a few miles east. We ran south for a mile to hook back up with the Greensand Way and then picked up the trail running past Linton Park to our left. We gave previous owners Robert Mann and Thomas Cubitt a wave.
We got to Linton quickly and enjoyed the start of the day. There were the usual sheep (and sheep jokes including one about having a 'woolly head' and ' baaaaaarbed wire').
The next stage of the run was to head towards Yalding. This proved to be one of the big highlights of the days running. We were basically running along a ridge with nothing but totally flat Kent laid out to the South of us. The landscape stretched for miles and miles. In the foreground we had endless orchards and oast houses. The wind swept across us and sun shone down. It was utterly magic.
We also go the chance to do a bit of ' Smacking' surrey style !
As we skirted round the Malice Wood I got my first chance for a 'computer screensaver' type photo. This was the first of many that day. Like day one the orienteering side of things was quite intensive. There werent a lot of signs and the paths were often unclear especially in the orchards but 'science' was the new 'maverick' app on my phone which was a GPS showing your position on an ordnance survey map and it worked a treat.
We got to Yalding and the maps indicated that the terrain would differ from here on for a while. This stretch would be the 'wet' part of the run, not rainy, but with canals and rivers and waterways and marinas. I was very pleased to find a place named after me that was a base for a large number of canoeists who were doing an organised clean up of the Medway River whilst we were there.
We also came across a large bird of prey acting very strangely. It had large but very square looking wings and was hovering low to the ground. It was like no bird I had ever seen before. It wasnt until we got closer we realised it was a fake bird that was a kite on a pole to scare birds off the crops.
We got to run over a medieval bridge which was wide enough only for traffic in one way. As the highway code says walkers should walk facing head on into traffic, we didnt know whether to run when the lights were green or red. We chose green and raced in front of a massive lorry and made it to the other side just in time.
Along the canal and over the railway line (again no bridge like the day before, just ....er...opening the gate and walking over when we felt like it) and we were back out into the glorious countryside again with more screensaver opportunities. What is great about the Kent stretch of the Greensand Way is the fact that you get a good 3 or 4 miles of unspoilt countryside with regular 'village breaks' inbetween. It sort of goes in this order -
orchard orchard orchard
field
oast house
oast house
orchard
orchard
field
orchard
oast house
field
norman church
village
and repeat
We ran past a Deer Park somewhere near Roydon Hall where we could see a heard including a massive Stag which was calling/mooing/bleating/growling (what noise does a stag make?!) at us.
Although the Greensand Way in Kent is not well signposted except for random bits of yellow stuff we did come across a few unusual Greensand Way signs including this cool hand carved one.
We also came across a big pile of doody which made us feel much more at home.
When running cross country there is always an element of danger lurking round every corner. As we ran through another orchard we came across this interesting sign , but failed to find out what the danger actually was and ran on bravely without incident.
As the morning part of the run went on and I got closer to the 10 mile mark I found I had my 'minor reh' of the day earlier than the day before. Unlike hitting the wall I just find myself a bit short of energy and it becomes like running through custard. Claire was fine but I found the next few miles until our lunch stop a bit trying.
We thought about having lunch in Dunks Green in an old pub called the Kentish Rifleman, but decided to push on for another mile or so and eat in Shipbourne. The pub there is called the Chaser Inn.
What struck us about the pub when we arrived in Shipbourne was that there was nothing wrong with it. It was just like any 'chain' pub in surrey. Clean , busy , smart , corporate. But the day before ,being deep in Kent, we had had two pub visits that were absolutely lovely. We had even been driven home from the second by the landlord who had taken pity on our obvious tired state and lack of taxis. These were pubs where the landlord and landlady worked behind the bar, and cared because it was there business. As we returned to the managed style of pub we were reminded what we lose when pubs get taken over by chains. When we run this in June it'll be the Kentish Rifleman we visit for lunch not the Chaser Inn for this reason.
As we needed power for my phone (we use it as a GPS and it makes it very power hungry) we had to sit at the only table near a power socket. This was also next to the main front door. So we got a nice cold blast of air everytime someone left or arrived.
We ordered steak wraps and chips and when the food came I asked for another pint of Cola and some salt (for my chips). I find I sweat a lot so I often crave salt when im running.
When the pint of Cola came the waitress said 'heres your coke with salt in' and ran off busy with the next customer. A few cautious sips revealed she had indeed put salt in my cola.
I drank it anyway.
It tasted ok.
Half Time alert AS THIS IS A LONG BLOG AND WHILE WE ENJOY OUR LUNCH ON THIS PART OF OUR RUN WHY NOT TAKE A BREAK AND GO MAKE A CUP OF TEA
and while you are at it why not visit this website www.charitygiving.co.uk/greensandway2012
After my lunch a briny beverage we set off past the church at Shipbourne and I felt reasonably refreshed and ready for another 15 miles of running.
We ran past Igtham Mote which is a house built in the 13th century and as we carried on west towards Surrey we noticed that the long flat countryside of Kent was started to get 'Surreyfied'. The flat was getting less flat . It was starting to look hilly. We began a steep ascent into One Tree Hill and its ancient woodland and bluebells and were finally screened from the wind.
The signposting was terrible as usual and my GPS had a bit of a reh at one tree hill so we relied on maps Claire had brought with her ( a guider is always prepared) and she did a sterling job of stearing us safely and correctly into Knole Park. Knole Park is a 1000 acre site with a long dead straight paths that are all over a mile long. It has a 'jurassic park' feel as the perimeter fences are very high and all the ancient trees look like they have been half eaten by a large dinosaur.
We ran out of the park and crossed a very busy road and ran into something we just never expected. We found ourselves in the middle of motorcross event. And I do mean in the middle of it. It was noisy , there was the smell of petrol , the dust kicking up. It was frantic and it was happening on the Greensand Way.
We eventually crossed under the A21 and headed towards Sevenoaks Weald. It was here that my second minor reh occured. I hadnt 'hit the wall' like I did in the Surrey 55 mile weekend. I had eaten more during the day and had more varied food too. This staved off a major 'hit the wall' moment but as i entered the 22 mile stage of the days run I found I was running through custard again. In front of us lay Ide Hill , Toys Hill and Mariners Hill which were the highest points in Kent and a 'Big Finish' for our final destination at Goodley Stock.
Oh and one last thing. Claire noticed the next day that wearing sunglasses whilst running for two days in a row had worn away part of my eyebrow. So er , Ill need an alternative pair that doesnt do that next time (assuming it ever grows back).
My eyebrow bit hasnt grown back yet.
Warning! Long runs mean long blogs. Feel free to digest this in two halfs as A LOT happened on this day but I dont want to bore you to tears. Ill put a half time in so you can go make a cup of tea or something. OK??
We pick up the fun after a days running and an overnight stay in the Scout Hut at Boughton Monchelsea.
The Vango Banshee 200 is a fantastic tent. Lightweight, easy to put up and spacious if you are 5 ft 4 like me.
A scout hut by comparison is like staying in the Grosvenor House Hotel. Indoor Toilet, A KITCHEN! TV , X Box and HEATING ! This was a luxurious overnight stay indeed. Despite our 30 or so miles the previous day we awoke surprisingly untired and with very few aches and pains. I had used KT Tape the previous day on my calves and they didnt feel at all stiff that morning.
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| Lee KT Taped Up with 'Go Faster Stripes' and ready to run on the Greensand Way |
I got the night on the leather couch (because I got first shotgun dibs on it and I am not chivalrous) and Claire woke up on the floor nearby on her thermarest.
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| Lee waking up on the Greensand Way at Boughton Monchelsea Scout Hut |
I had a cup of tea with sugar with the teabag left in. Claire had a three spoon cup of coffee and we both had hot porridge for breakfast ( I had sugar in mine). We set off 15 minutes AHEAD OF SCHEDULE with the sun shining and a pure blue sky.
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| Claire leaving the Scout Hut at Boughton Monchelsea on the Greensand Way |
We were starting our run towards Linton which was a few miles east. We ran south for a mile to hook back up with the Greensand Way and then picked up the trail running past Linton Park to our left. We gave previous owners Robert Mann and Thomas Cubitt a wave.
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| Linton House at Linton Park on the Greensand Way near....er......Linton |
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| Running through Linton on the Greensand Way |
The next stage of the run was to head towards Yalding. This proved to be one of the big highlights of the days running. We were basically running along a ridge with nothing but totally flat Kent laid out to the South of us. The landscape stretched for miles and miles. In the foreground we had endless orchards and oast houses. The wind swept across us and sun shone down. It was utterly magic.
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| Oasthouses and Orchards - View from the Greensand Way between Linton and Yalding |
We also go the chance to do a bit of ' Smacking' surrey style !
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| Claire 'Smacking' smiling with her back on the Greensand Way near Yalding |
As we skirted round the Malice Wood I got my first chance for a 'computer screensaver' type photo. This was the first of many that day. Like day one the orienteering side of things was quite intensive. There werent a lot of signs and the paths were often unclear especially in the orchards but 'science' was the new 'maverick' app on my phone which was a GPS showing your position on an ordnance survey map and it worked a treat.
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| View near the Malice Wood on the Greensand Way near Yalding |
We got to Yalding and the maps indicated that the terrain would differ from here on for a while. This stretch would be the 'wet' part of the run, not rainy, but with canals and rivers and waterways and marinas. I was very pleased to find a place named after me that was a base for a large number of canoeists who were doing an organised clean up of the Medway River whilst we were there.
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| Lee in an Oilseed Rape field on the Greensand Way near West Peckham |
We also came across a large bird of prey acting very strangely. It had large but very square looking wings and was hovering low to the ground. It was like no bird I had ever seen before. It wasnt until we got closer we realised it was a fake bird that was a kite on a pole to scare birds off the crops.
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| Fake bird on the Greensand Way near Yalding |
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| Lee at the Lees in Yalding on the Greensand Way |
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| Canoeist on the River Medway at Yalding on the Greensand Way |
We got to run over a medieval bridge which was wide enough only for traffic in one way. As the highway code says walkers should walk facing head on into traffic, we didnt know whether to run when the lights were green or red. We chose green and raced in front of a massive lorry and made it to the other side just in time.
Along the canal and over the railway line (again no bridge like the day before, just ....er...opening the gate and walking over when we felt like it) and we were back out into the glorious countryside again with more screensaver opportunities. What is great about the Kent stretch of the Greensand Way is the fact that you get a good 3 or 4 miles of unspoilt countryside with regular 'village breaks' inbetween. It sort of goes in this order -
orchard orchard orchard
field
oast house
oast house
orchard
orchard
field
orchard
oast house
field
norman church
village
and repeat
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| The Greensand Way between Yalding and West Peckham |
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| Deer on the Greensand Way near West Peckham |
Although the Greensand Way in Kent is not well signposted except for random bits of yellow stuff we did come across a few unusual Greensand Way signs including this cool hand carved one.
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| Hand Made Greensand Way sign near West Peckham |
We also came across a big pile of doody which made us feel much more at home.
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| Claire knows big doody on the Greensand Way |
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| The 'Danger Exit' on the Greensand Way near West Peckham |
We thought about having lunch in Dunks Green in an old pub called the Kentish Rifleman, but decided to push on for another mile or so and eat in Shipbourne. The pub there is called the Chaser Inn.
What struck us about the pub when we arrived in Shipbourne was that there was nothing wrong with it. It was just like any 'chain' pub in surrey. Clean , busy , smart , corporate. But the day before ,being deep in Kent, we had had two pub visits that were absolutely lovely. We had even been driven home from the second by the landlord who had taken pity on our obvious tired state and lack of taxis. These were pubs where the landlord and landlady worked behind the bar, and cared because it was there business. As we returned to the managed style of pub we were reminded what we lose when pubs get taken over by chains. When we run this in June it'll be the Kentish Rifleman we visit for lunch not the Chaser Inn for this reason.
As we needed power for my phone (we use it as a GPS and it makes it very power hungry) we had to sit at the only table near a power socket. This was also next to the main front door. So we got a nice cold blast of air everytime someone left or arrived.
We ordered steak wraps and chips and when the food came I asked for another pint of Cola and some salt (for my chips). I find I sweat a lot so I often crave salt when im running.
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| Claire enjoys food while I sip on my Salty Coke in the Chaser Inn in Shipbourne on the Greensand Way |
When the pint of Cola came the waitress said 'heres your coke with salt in' and ran off busy with the next customer. A few cautious sips revealed she had indeed put salt in my cola.
I drank it anyway.
It tasted ok.
Half Time alert AS THIS IS A LONG BLOG AND WHILE WE ENJOY OUR LUNCH ON THIS PART OF OUR RUN WHY NOT TAKE A BREAK AND GO MAKE A CUP OF TEA
and while you are at it why not visit this website www.charitygiving.co.uk/greensandway2012
After my lunch a briny beverage we set off past the church at Shipbourne and I felt reasonably refreshed and ready for another 15 miles of running.
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| Igtham Mote on the Greensand Way |
We ran past Igtham Mote which is a house built in the 13th century and as we carried on west towards Surrey we noticed that the long flat countryside of Kent was started to get 'Surreyfied'. The flat was getting less flat . It was starting to look hilly. We began a steep ascent into One Tree Hill and its ancient woodland and bluebells and were finally screened from the wind.
 |
| Claire running along the Chestnut Path in Knole Park on the Greensand Way |
The signposting was terrible as usual and my GPS had a bit of a reh at one tree hill so we relied on maps Claire had brought with her ( a guider is always prepared) and she did a sterling job of stearing us safely and correctly into Knole Park. Knole Park is a 1000 acre site with a long dead straight paths that are all over a mile long. It has a 'jurassic park' feel as the perimeter fences are very high and all the ancient trees look like they have been half eaten by a large dinosaur.
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| Some rare signange on the Greensand Way in Knole Park that was...useless |
We ran out of the park and crossed a very busy road and ran into something we just never expected. We found ourselves in the middle of motorcross event. And I do mean in the middle of it. It was noisy , there was the smell of petrol , the dust kicking up. It was frantic and it was happening on the Greensand Way.
We had to wait while the stewards let us cross the track in about 4 different places. they were very friendly and helpful and we were utterly bemused. It was such a surreal surprise and put a massive smile on both our faces.
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As the run progressed I had to concentrate more and more on just keeping running. I was no longer taking in the scenery as much even though it was hillier and we could see as far as Bough Beech Resevoir in the far distance. The signposting remained sporadic and we left the path a few times too and had to work hard to get back on track due to tiredness and low blood sugar.
Once I go beyond the Marathon mileage and go into Ultra Marathon territory I find I take very few pictures, and have to focus entirely on just moving through what feels like custard. Claire was fine and spurred me on and pointed out that I had entered the Seven stages of Running Grief
1. Shock and Denial - isnt the lamb pretty...this is such a lovely run ....It cant be far now
2. Pain and Guilt - My feet hurt and I think I should have trained more.
3. Anger and Bargaining - Im annoyed because Claire wont let us take a shortcut and miss out the French Street section of the run and get home quicker.
4. Depression reflection and Loniless - I feel a bit 'wob wob wob' , Its been a good run but I just want it to end, where is everyone ?
5. The Upward Turn - Man up . Claire is a girl and is fine, you are a wimp.
6. Reconstruction and Working Through - just got to get through the next few hills and Ill be fine
7. Acceptance and Hope - Of course you hurt , of course you are tired you've run over 50 miles in 2 days. you are nearly at the car that will take you home to bed. Go for It !
I got to stage 7 somewhere around French Street on the map. A place where a hoard of iron age coins were found in 1927 and a place where I found a chunk of actual green coloured Greensand Stone. I gave this to our friend Tim who had done a brilliant job of manning 'Greensand Way HQ' (our twitter and Facebook page) over the weekend.
Then I was fine. We were laughing on the last two miles We got to the end in high spirits . It was amazing to have Tim and Dr G waiting for us at the end and we got a picture of us by the signpost where we started out 55 mile Surrey Weekend run a month before.
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| Arseing around on the Greensand Way |
We improved on our Surrey Running Weekend in many ways. I didn't hit the wall as hard as I have in the past on either day by eating much much more. We spent the whole weekend navigating all new terrain and our orienteering skills saw us through. We stayed on target for our weypoints and stops and arrived both days within about 15 minutes of when we planned to. Ive now bought tri clips to stop the straps on my bag loosening every 10 minutes. We got live on the radio....... and most of all we had a blast (and it didnt rain ALL WEEKEND!) The idea that we would be running for another 2 whole days was one im still coming to terms with. We've for 2 weeks to go now until THE BIG WEEKEND. The fundraising is going great and people have been so generous and supportive with donations and messages of support whilst we have been running.
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| More excellent Kent Footpath signposting on the Greensand Way |
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| Claire relaxing on the Greensand Way near Goodley Stock |
Oh and one last thing. Claire noticed the next day that wearing sunglasses whilst running for two days in a row had worn away part of my eyebrow. So er , Ill need an alternative pair that doesnt do that next time (assuming it ever grows back).
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| Wearing out Lees eyebrow on the Greensand Way |
My eyebrow bit hasnt grown back yet.
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