The run where it doesn't get much better
No run this Saturday and I was cranky all day. Thankfully Sunday morning I had planned a long one with John. We arranged to meet in Folkestone at 6:30am and it was a beautiful clear, sunny morning as I drove to his house.
Warm up done and Garmins set we headed off loaded with snacks and plenty of water in our camel backs. It was already warm and set to get hotter as the day went on.
Our route took us out of Cheriton and south towards Seabrook and the coast. After a short stretch of road we turned off at the top of Hospital Hill and ascended through woodland along a mountain bike trail. The dappled sunlight streaming through the canopy, birds singing and cool breeze made for beautiful downhill glide. It felt as though we could be in the middle of the countryside.
We emerged on the main Hythe to Folkestone road, crossed it and followed the canal path behind the houses heading west. Again we were transported out of suburbia into an idyllic scene of still waters, dozens of species of brightly coloured flowers, birdsong, warm sunlight and not another person in sight.
The path is wide, flat and smooth and follows the Royal Military canal all the way from Seabrook through Hythe and out towards Lympne. At one point we came across a pair of swans with their two cygnets. They approached in search of food and we shared some jam and peanut butter sandwich with them in exchange for a photo.
When we reached the bottom of Lympne Hill we charged up it full of energy and without thought for the consequences later on. The half mile long, 10% incline gave the legs a good workout and we arrived at the top with burning thighs and heaving lungs. It was a pleasant pain though and we paused at the war memorial to take in the view before following the trail through the middle of a field. This is where we will be starting the Cliff Top Challenge in less than two weeks time.
We were welcomed by dozens of sheep that thought we were bringing their breakfast (it was no about 7:30) The bleating must have woken up most of Lympne. We crossed the Hythe road and plunged into another dense woodland at Sandling Park. This is where the famous Boxing Day run takes place and there were commemorative plaques on a number of trees in memory of those who had run it in the past.
Emerging by the M20 we crossed over the bridge and followed Blue House Lane as far as it went before once again taking to the woodland trails. At one point there was a turning that looked so appealing we followed it and found another mountain bike track. This was one of the most aesthetic mountain bike trials I have ever seen as it was enclosed by tree cover and bordered by dozens of huge bushes covered in bright pink flowers.
We ran up and down the slopes (mostly up!) and then left the wood to find ourselves on top of the North Downs above Summerhouse Hill. A circular copse of trees crowned the peak and drew us towards it. Inside was a hand made shelter and little sign of life. It was dark and cool, a welcome respite from the now intense heat. From its shade we could see Ashford in the distance.
While discussing the route to take we had already planned to make a diversion to re-climb Summerhouse Hill. It is so appealing sitting as it does in the middle of a field on its own like a giant mole had once visited. This time we found a track that only involved climbing one fence and this time were able to admire the views on a clear day. The panorama stretched from the Martello Tower in Folkestone all the way to the wind turbines of Romney Marsh and the South Downs outside Hastings taking in the smooth crescent of coastline leading to Dungeness Nuclear Power Station.
We ran back down the hill and cut through the woods outside Frogholt to reach the old train line that links the villages of Peene and Etchinghill. By now we were hot and our legs were feeling heavy. After 10 miles we had felt great but a couple of miles further on those fast ascents were taking their toll, as was the heat. We were pretty much out of water. We agreed this was a good lesson for the 26.2 mile challenge coming up. We will take it easy when we feel strong so that we have enough energy to enjoy rather than endure the second half. Yea right we'll see how that goes!
Warm up done and Garmins set we headed off loaded with snacks and plenty of water in our camel backs. It was already warm and set to get hotter as the day went on.
Our route took us out of Cheriton and south towards Seabrook and the coast. After a short stretch of road we turned off at the top of Hospital Hill and ascended through woodland along a mountain bike trail. The dappled sunlight streaming through the canopy, birds singing and cool breeze made for beautiful downhill glide. It felt as though we could be in the middle of the countryside.
When we reached the bottom of Lympne Hill we charged up it full of energy and without thought for the consequences later on. The half mile long, 10% incline gave the legs a good workout and we arrived at the top with burning thighs and heaving lungs. It was a pleasant pain though and we paused at the war memorial to take in the view before following the trail through the middle of a field. This is where we will be starting the Cliff Top Challenge in less than two weeks time.
Emerging by the M20 we crossed over the bridge and followed Blue House Lane as far as it went before once again taking to the woodland trails. At one point there was a turning that looked so appealing we followed it and found another mountain bike track. This was one of the most aesthetic mountain bike trials I have ever seen as it was enclosed by tree cover and bordered by dozens of huge bushes covered in bright pink flowers.
We ran back down the hill and cut through the woods outside Frogholt to reach the old train line that links the villages of Peene and Etchinghill. By now we were hot and our legs were feeling heavy. After 10 miles we had felt great but a couple of miles further on those fast ascents were taking their toll, as was the heat. We were pretty much out of water. We agreed this was a good lesson for the 26.2 mile challenge coming up. We will take it easy when we feel strong so that we have enough energy to enjoy rather than endure the second half. Yea right we'll see how that goes!
Another steep climb back up onto the downs brought our total ascent to 1500 feet for the day but now it was just a flat run above Folkestone back to Castle Hill and into Cheriton for the traditional coffee and cake.
We arrived back on Cheriton high street at 10 o'clock, three and a half hours after leaving and 17 miles completed. After C&C John had to get ready for his holiday - he was leaving in a few hours! - but I wasn't done. The sea was calling my name and so I drove into town, parked up and ran 5 miles to Sandgate and back before plunging into the cool water. The perfect end to another fantastic morning of running.
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| The view from Summerhouse Hill |
