Up Up and Away

[SueAppleRun]

As we drank tea in bed this morning we talked about where we would go for our walk today, Willow doesn’t run consecutive days but we’d agreed this week we will get out every morning. I looked up the nearest bluebell woods that aren’t far away but not quite sure where and even with Sat Nav I could see us driving around unfamiliar lanes and eventually giving up and coming home! Willow said what about that big hill? ooo Chanctonbury Ring!!!

We were out the door and in the car before you could say am I well enough for steep hills?

Weather cloudy but 11degrees, I wore shorts Willow looked very smart in jeans.

15 minutes later we were parking in the free car park and off we went.

It is steep, 241 metres above sea level and 2k to the top , It is rugged, rough pathways through the trees. Willow is one paced and went off ahead while I stopped to take photos and ran to catch him up.

Before we expected we came out of the woods and onto the wider more undulating track, it’s stony and loose underfoot but easier to walk than the steep woods. So I ran a little way, of course i did.

Through a gate and looking up to the ring, out across the fields and valleys of Sussex and turn round and we can just see the sea!!

Walked/ran onwards and upwards towards the top, went through rather than round then round the other side. It’s hazy but still worth seeing. More photos, Willow giving me a history lesson, walked and stopped and walked again.

Turn to go back down, green fields smooth beside the path we just couldn’t resist 😀we ran.

Back through the woods, in some places so steep we wondered if we’d go head over heels, some places the track is wider and we ran, jumping over tree roots, laughing as we went.

Being out in the fresh air and moving is good. We covered just over 5k in 1hr 19 mins, considering all the stops that’s not bad, each k going up around 17 min each k coming back down around 13 min fastest pace 6.20kpm

Really enjoyed that. Came home tea and a bowl of fruit, roast dinner in oven and pondering which pic to post 😀 the views are delightful

Thanks for reading, happy Tuesday

The sky looks gloomy but the sun shone in the valley far below and then shone on us as we ran down the hill

[GailXrunning]

Beautiful! What an amazing time you two had. So lovely to read about your adventure.🙌🙌

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to GailXrunning]

It was great, thanks Gail

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Well done on climbing that hill, well worth it for the view at the top, thanks for taking a photo for us all to see 👍

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks Al it’s well worth the climb and i’m sure the mantra here is hills are our friends so flat run tomorrow then more hills the next day

[Week7 Graduate10]

This is brilliant-Those views are amazing.

You sound like both of you had a good burst of "inner child". I still can't get over the fact that running can be so much fun!Wish I'd done this years ago!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Week7]

I’ve run on and off forever, but Willow only started when we found C25K 😀 as a teenager it was 3 miles from school or a night out in the twin, so through woods I ran and saved the bus fare lol 😂

[Week7 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

I'm impressed!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Week7]

I ran for an athletics club in my early 20’s but don’t often mention that as was a long time ago and i don’t remember winning any races 😀

[Week7 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Ahh so you are a REAL RUNNER! The only race I ever one was a 3 legged race in the Brownies-I am no athlete-but this running thing is a real joy😊

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Week7]

No I’m not a real runner, sadly we moved away otherwise i might have become one, but I’ve always run a bit through life so finding C25K was amazing and poor Willow was adamant he wouldn’t run, then the app said run and he went off like a bullet out of a gun, he was bent double after one minute but he still enjoys it

[Week7 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

It is so lovely that you can share your runs. Very much a solo activity for me but Mr W7 always has coffee ready for me when I come back staggering through the back gate wild of hair and red of face so not so bad!!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Week7]

Mr Week7 sounds perfect 👍 I really enjoy solo runs on the days Willow decides not to run, on those runs I meander round the local roads nosying in front gardens and spotting birds

[Roxdog Graduate10]

How beautiful!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Roxdog]

Thank you

[Doris8 Graduate10]

Love the view great photos again keep them coming. A steep hill but gets the old heart going. Well done both of u getting to the top 👍😊

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Doris8]

Thanks Doris, we love it up there, will go if we get a clear day, it was a bit hazy. The going up was lower heart rate than a run which was interesting as i was puffing by the top

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate]

Just fabulous and glorious, glorious photographs!What a wonderful day you had and that running down... so hard to resist, whatever age we are!

You sound as if you are feeling so much better and stronger...which is such good news! xxx

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks Floss, I’ve only got a week left to be in the best health possible for the operation so my idea this week to get out every day and either walk or run, so tomorrow is a short run, suddenly I’ve got the pain pills about right, just have to sort the sleep out and all will be well xxx

[Martlet76]

Thank you for the story about Chanctonbury Ring. I wonder if the rope swing is still there. Years back, one afternoon, I swang on it several times, so much so, that I finished up with blisters on the palms of my hand. I took a final swing, due to the pain of the blisters, I let go and took a huge tumble. Being young, I didn't do any serious damage. It wouldn't be the case these days.Thank you for bringing back the memories.

M76

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Martlet76]

That sounds such good fun, didn’t see a rope swing today so others can’t tumble like you did, but did see a sort of camp built out of trees on the way up it was pretty tall too

camp

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10]

What a glorious post WaS! I felt as though I was there with you - and those views sound gorgeous! I’m so glad you were able to get out there and enjoy it!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Oldgirlruns]

I did wonder as i’m not particularly well and i only managed to fall asleep around 6 this morning, but it is always so worth it and hills are strengthening

[Birdlady64 Graduate10]

Oh so wonderful! Just being outside amongst nature is so restorative- physically and mentally

Well done!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Birdlady64]

You are so right, I’ve had some rough days lately but if i get out in the morning it makes the whole day better 😊 and it’s such a perfect time of year

[Hidden]

Wow, that is one gorgeous sight! I'd have to drive an hour or 2 I think to reach a spot like this in Belgium. Not that I would, being scared of highways. Now this view is one I'd be able to linger a long time at, just staring around.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Hidden]

Yes, we’ve said next time we’ll go on a clear day and plan to just sit

[Mormor1 Graduate10]

Beautiful post WaS, love that you both ran down the hill, love the you love walking g and running together, love that you can both face you health issues together. 🍾🍾🍓🍐🍏🍇🍍the bubbles are for me🤣

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Mormor1]

Thank you, yeah, we are getting through it together, tried sleep meditation last night, that didn’t work but we did resist the middle of the night tea and sandwiches 😂 I shall raise a glass with you as you drink the bubbles

[Mormor1 Graduate10]

I got up at 3 for banana sandwich!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Mormor1]

Nice, sometimes something to eat helps you back to sleep. That hill was steep yesterday, today is run day and we are still contemplating how short it can be and still call it a run lol 😂

[Mormor1 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Definitely1k!