I've wanted to do the South Downs Way for ages. Walking or running, I wanted to try completing the full 102 miles. It would be an epic adventure. But I could never work out the logistics and so I kept putting it off.
But now I'm getting into some really long training runs for my race in July, it seemed like the perfect time to do it. So this bank holiday weekend I made a start.
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| Where Google says it officially starts |
We were up nice and early and 'im outdoors dropped me off in Winchester next to the cathedral and off I went. It's really well sign posted, but you have to be careful as there are slightly different routes in place for walkers and for cyclists, and it's not alway clear which one is which. Saying that, most of it is a shared path so I did have to very aware of those around me as the cyclists I encountered didn't always give you any warning and could come by very quickly.
This route also included a bit I'd run last week for Slow Way Corpet. It was interesting to see what difference a week and some sunshine could make. It was much busier than last week and the fields had turned yellow as the rape seed flowers came out.
23 miles and nearly 5 hours later 'im outdoors picked me up from QECP and I was very glad of the sit down.
It was a lovely run, if a bit hilly (but to be expected) and to run in shorts and t-shirt for the first time this year was wonderful. And I even managed to keep my feet dry for once, although there were a few muddy puddles to contend with. The veiws from the top of the hills while a little hazy were fab and it was wonderful to hear so many larks singing.
I really enjoyed this run and so I'm looking forward to doing more of the South Downs Way in the coming weeks. I'll be interested to see how the landscape changes as I go.
You can read what happened on part 2 here.
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