I make up my own challenges and offer advice on creating your own.
Before I start I want to say if you�re going to do any of these or similar make sure you do the following:
- Make sure you know where roughly you�re going and how long you think you�ll be. Tell someone these details. If you�re behind time call and let them know.
- Take your phone (it�s not for you, it�s for those who care about you).
- Take light but warm clothing you can walk in should things go wrong.
- Take as much water as you are comfortable carrying and money to get more en-route (there�s always somewhere).
- Even if you don�t like to eat while you run, take something in case it goes wrong and you need to walk.
- Take some money for food and water or even transport home. It happens!
Killer Loop 30mile (ish)
These directions give the general heading, so don�t now complain to me that you couldn�t follow it and got lost, go out and buy the OS maps or just use a compass and wing it like I did the first time� It�s an adventure, a logistically simple back-yard challenge with cake available en-route�� Just enjoy it!
Start Newlands Corner. Head S from here then E up and over Pitch Hill. Continue E to Holmbury St.Mary then up and over Holmbury hill. A short stretch on the road then continue E (ish) towards Leith Hill. Up and over Leith Hill ( stopping for tea and cake at the tower when it�s open) then down into Westcott and head N(ish) winding your way back up onto North Downs Way to then head west back to Newlands corner and a well earned cup of tea and bacon roll!
- The Barn at Newlands Corner use only fresh ingredients and are well worth a visit.
North Downs Way
It�s on your doorstep folks and I�m forever stunned how many people don�t run on it or are willing to pay �86 to do an �organised� out n back, 2 day event on this already fantastically sign-posted path. I�ve been doing this for years and it�s all there for you, anytime you want for free!
A great and again, simple challenge is to get on a train out as far as your imagination or spousal permission slip allows then run back along the North Downs Way. I�ve regularly done 30miles like this and even the odd over-nighter (pre-rug rats of course). There�s a great spicy parsnip soup to be had mid-winter at the top of Box Hill.
Basingstoke Canal (32miles)
This is even easier as it�s a single path to follow. Get yourself to Old Basing and jump on the canal. It�s a lovely start with real history. Personally I always found it quite demanding as it�s flat so kills the same muscles every step but, well worth doing.
WARNING�. Beware fishermen with those ridiculous long poles that they think are a good idea to have across the path where people are walking, running, riding and pushing buggies. Some years ago I got into a rather lengthy altercation with a fisherman after a section of his fishing pole got broke. I found myself in a situation that could have ended badly but I eventually managed to get away. So, by all means jog on but do watch out for the fishing poles, not because you might find yourself in an argument but because by time I�d got away I was cold and he�d ruined what was set to be a damn good time for an unsupported 32 mile run!
Not sure what you�d like to do or how to do it?
Email me I�ll help you. It�s easier than you think.