Ups and downs

After last week’s picturesque run from Crystal Palace to New Addington, I fancied something a little different.

So this morning, I opted for a 15 mile downland run.  4 miles uphill to join the South Downs Way at Truleigh Hill, then an undulating 7 miles to Saddlescombe and back, followed by a 4 mile downhill finishing stretch.

Fast it was not.  But I did learn several interesting things:

• Most people will say “hello” in response to a cheerful “good morning”.
• I like running long runs by myself.  I always thought long runs were easier with company, but I’ve changed my mind.  Running at my pace in blissful silence is far more relaxing.
• I’ll take a border collie using me as a training tool over a small uncontrolled trip-hazard of a dog any day of the week.
• I have a favourite running song.  I sang it to myself at the start of the run to help myself find a suitable running rhythm and carried on singing it pretty much the whole way round.  In fact, at one point, when my knee was playing up and I needed a boost, I even resorted to singing it out loud.  Which garnered some very peculiar looks.
• The best way to carry my knee support when I’m not using it, is to turn it into an elbow wrap.  Though this also garners peculiar looks.
• For every calorie burned on my long run, I will eat three when I get home.