So, having had a bad couple of weeks with tinnitus, my mojo appeared to have ran away. Yesterday I decided to loose the gremlins and go for the run, with a couple of options available to shorten or lengthen it if need be. So, drank plenty at work and ate my lunch late so it was there to fuel my run. Soaked myself in Avon Skin So Soft (hah no flies on me now 
or chaffing). Changed into my new GNR top and shorts and set off.
After the first km, the first 5km are pretty much solid uphill except for a field and short path. The heavy rain showers (I need to have a word with the weather men about their definition of shower at some point as torrential rain is not a shower) meant the ground was soaking but it also meant that it was humid. It also meant the clay paths were sneakily slippy where the fields were slightly bare... But I kept my balance and just shortened my stride to a trot. Up the hill, through maize (I think) as tall as mez through the knee high corn then up into the woods.
The woods were quiet but slightly cooler and offer a bit of shade. I hadn't considered sun block when I set off in grey skies but the sun came out strongly as I was heading through the lush green growth whilst the smell of rain lingered in the air.
After the woods you run a short stretch between fields in a tunnel of nettles and brambles which thankfully didn't attack me, then you come to a point where you have a beautiful view of the gentle rolling hills of the South Downs. Down the field and slope into Farringdon - 6km done and decide to push in to make the run longer, so, instead of turning to Alton, I set off up Brightstone Lane and off to Four Marks.
4km of none stop hill, up a windy road with tall hedges surrounding you await on this stretch. I had forgotten how long this hill is... But I had committed and so plodded on. Reach Four Marks and head across the old railway bridge to Chawton Woods. Plodding and 9km done. My legs were now protesting at me and refusing to move beyond a shuffle (perhaps this was a mistake after not running for 2 weeks). Through the car park and a small shower and then into the woods and, oh relief, a down hill slope.
Suddenly my legs woke up and they decided to 'sod the niggling pain' and, decided to run... Fast... Uncontrollable... Much to a bemusement of a cyclist as I seemed to shoot down the hill, arms waving like Phoebe out of Friends and the worlds stupidest grin on my face. I even let out a 'wheeeeeeee' as I turned a corner like a child pretending to be a plane.
On level ground my legs seemed to remember they were tired and resumed plodding speed. Past the deer farm and the glamping pods, psst the people practicing cricket and into Alton where at 15km my legs firmly refused to run another step. So walked to get a chocolate milkshake and recover before a hot Epsom salt bath.
Yes, in those woods I lost my gremlins and for a while was filled with stupid joy at being out and running. That km was 7. 30 mins where the rest were average of 9. 30 mins per km.
I claim victory
Nell 
Panthering therapy in the woods ✔
Christmas half marathon ✅
Longest ever run - 22km!! and the rest - bit of an epic!
