The run where we missed parkrun

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Last Saturday I met John for a run before parkrun. The aim was to get in a few miles as a warm up and make it to our hill (Summerhouse Hill) which we hadn't run up for many weeks.

We set out from Cheriton in Folkestone and made our along a new track which took us beneath Castle Hill and under the M20 through fields. We emerged at the bottom of Dover Hill which we ascended at a brisk but steady pace. From here we turned towards the west and ran along the North Downs Way, past the White Horse drawn onto the hillside, past the entrance to the Channel Tunnel and towards Lmypne.

At this point we considered heading back into Folkestone. We would just make parkrun if we did. But we had set our hearts on climbing Summerhouse Hill so jogged on under the naïve impression we could do both.

As we ascended through woodland I found a rope swing and couldn't resist a quick Tarzan impression - although a less Tarzan like impression you couldn't find! Soon we found ourselves retracing the Cliff Top Challenge course, only backwards. The views were stunning as we descended, went through woodland - where John had an equally poor attempt at being king of the jungle - and ascended again to the hill topped by a circular copse of trees which overlooks Summerhouse Hill.

By now it was evident we had no chance of getting back to the Leas for the start of parkrun by 9am but we were having too much fun to care. We descended again and climbed over a barbed wire fence onto MOD land before heading up the familiar slopes of our hill. I managed to make it to the top without stopping and stood back to enjoy the views, west towards Rye and Dungeness power station and east as far as East Folkestone and in the far distance the coast of France.

By now it was hot and the sun baked down on us. We had finished our water and I had dropped my Lucozade tablets. We were torn between taking the long way back though Hythe or making for Tescos on the outskirts of Folkestone. This time Tescos won out.

We arrived in the cafe at 10am, 3 hours after leaving and having enjoyed 10 miles of trail running. We gulped down our coffee and scoffed a vegetarian fry up of poached egg, roasted tomato, spinach, beans and a fried slice (me) toast (John). This was accompanied by 2 litres of water to rehydrate. We jogged slowly back to Cheriton where John took his leave.

Having missed parkrun and with an hour to spare I ran on, doing a lap of Cheriton and then heading to town for a swim. Altogether 17 miles under the belt and bringing up 100 for the month.



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