This was a winter attempt after long spells of heavy rain, so in places it was very muddy!
I chose a day I had free, and when the weather was good. It was clear and cold.
The start of the Downs Link from St Martha’s was fairly easy, down hill and not too muddy. Once I left the other side of Blackheath it got very muddy which slowed me down a lot. In some places I was wading through water and mud, virtually to a stand still. Once I reached Cranleigh along the old railway line, the track was fairly mud free and a lot less water logged. The further south I ran, the easier the trail and the nicer the weather!
It was hard going between miles 20 and 30 because the trail was quiet and the surface and surrounding landscape very boring. As I headed into Shoreham the sun came out and there were walkers and runners out and about which was a little more interesting.
Finishing in Shoreham at sunset was beautiful. It was a very cold but clear evening.
My partner Rich was waiting for me with a big smile and a huge cuddle. We went for some après (g&t!) at a lovely bar in Shoreham.