Purbecks run

Training for a road marathon just is not my thing. I have never run a road marathon and from my commitment to go training on the roads I will hazard a guess and say that I will not be doing another. Still it is London and the point is to raise a little money for charity and to get that one time feeling of a big city marathon.
Since December I have had a foot injury - torn or stretched tendon on the underside of my foot - and although I was capable of running it was a painful niggle and I would of hated myself if the niggle turned to a serious injury. So I took it easy in January, no better. Had February off, foot still sore but I had started a constant regime of compression and ice on the foot. In March I bought some rocktape after listening to TalkUltra and I will tell you what things seemed to improve immediately. Happy days. A month on and I am still using it, I definitely still feel a tightness without it and so I will continue to use it until I run out and then probably buy some more.

Old Harry

I am slightly digressing here. But, clocking up some good road miles in March and with the weather turning (a little) I was itching to get out on a proper run so, with a 18 and 14 mile road run done I decided to finish off the week with a circular circuit of Corfe castle to finish me off.
I headed quickly down on a bright but cloudy day and parked up by the castle and strode up to the top of the Nine Barrow Down ridge line.  Once on top the wind appeared cold and sharp and hitting me hard and so I had to resort to putting on some gloves and a buff to cover my ears!! Atop of the ridge way the views were humbling. In front, the valley floor running all the way to Swanage, over to my left Poole harbour stretched out from Wareham to Sandbanks.

Swanage

A tough descent then ascent to Ballard Down I circled over to Harrys Rock via Studland. I was trying to get as many hills in as possible as this is one thing that I have definitely been neglecting of late. At Old Harry's Rock I slowed and took some photos I walked the cliffs edge a little but turned back near the end due to the wind unnerving me with 50+ft vertical drops either side. I shook off the wind with another slow ascent up to Ballard point and then a relaxing drop into Swanage. With it being easter I thought the town would be rammed, instead it was extremely quiet and deserted although I did have to queue and wait 10mins for my burger.

even the cows didn't like the wind

Venue for my next wild camp

After my scrumptious lunch I headed up the steep hill to Durston Head, this is a pretty area combining forested wild gardens with the famous climber friendly sea cliffs. No climbing for me this time but, an exhilarating run by the cliffs all the way to St Albans Head. There was blue in the sky and the coastal path was protected by the high ridge enabling me to warm up a little.Thankfully there were a few gullies allowing a cooling wind to refresh me and reminding me of past wild camping adventures and ones to include very soon.

Hills

After this most glorious stretch of coastline, for me, it only gets better. I like nothing more than with tired legs passing the lookout station and just enjoying the ever bettering views leading into Chapmans pool and the toughest decent/ascent/descent over Houns tout. The sea becomes green at his point and you can see the kimmeridge ledges jutting out to sea for an eternity.

no time to relax but, take it all in

At this point. To get another hill in. I veered of and hiked up to Swyre Head with body tiring and amazing views I was hard pressed to keep going especially as it was back into the ever present freezing winds. From here it was a long downhill and I felt I was freewheeling to Kimmeridge. I then zig zagged through some farmlands (getting lost due to the newly ploughed fields hiding any hope off seeing long used pathways). I couldn't get truly lost though as I was heading for the Ridgeway hill. After a few fence hops I was surmounting the final ridge line to Corfe.

Corfe Castle

By now I had been on the go for hours and so was pleasing to know that I only had a couple of miles left. The sun was out and even the wind had turned to a breeze as I took the final slope down overlooking the majestic ruins of Corfe Castle.
A great run (aren't they all). My first ultra of the year and my foot felt good. legs were tired which will make me apprehensive for the goals ahead but it's a good start. I will get the london marathon out of the way and then I can fully focus and long hill training up until the start of June when I hope I will be feeling a whole lot more positive about my 75miler with 6000m+elevation to do.

Stats: 27miles +/-1500m taking around 5hr45mins.
(2litres of water, burger & battered sausage, 2 brekkie bars, 1 gel, kitkat, pocketful of sweets, 3 x elete tabs).

Purbeck's running

Red flag, bugger. Who would of thought that the MOD would be playing army on a Friday. So my best laid plans were scuppered. What to do? I was intending to run the Jurassic coast line to near weymouth and back to kimmeridge. Infact my Sept event was going to be a 50 miler this weekend but as we all know, what we want to do and can do aren't possible from time to time. With my rib injury i have done pretty little this last month (C2C in exception) and my knee was also playing up which stopped me from going out last weekend for a long run. So with this being my last chance to do something for sept i was now facing down what to do. Simple if i cant go west I'll go east. I had no maps but i have climbed swanage for years so i have a little local knowledge. Hang on. I'm in swanage on a beautiful day..why aren't i climbing..hold on, this is why i have never run the Jurassic coast as climbing the sea cliffs always favours a hard slog on the purbeck hills.
But I am here now with no distractions, unless i run into a tank. I turn myself around and head east to Swyre head and decide on making it up as i plod along. The ridgeline is superb with a couple of tough ups which i try to run up to no avail. Upon reaching Swyre head I only had 2 options, to either drop down to the coastline or head inland. Since I was planning on coming back via the coast I went inwards along the top of an amazing bowl. Unfortunately i then dropped down and onto a road, something i had wanted to avoid. but, i soon soon Corfe castle and figured out where i was, nearing Kingston and a favourite pub (Scott Arms). Here again I dithered on whether to take the road to Matravers or drop down into another valley via a path. Wanting to stay offroad I took the path and into the valley i went. Traversing beautiful farmlands and all types of farm animals, including a large pack of Alpaca's I ended up in Langton Matravers from which there are a multitude of paths heading to Swanage and the coasts headland. Once at the headland I took a break and ate a sandwich to try and ease a nagging stomach pain and take a painkiller for my knee.
The next stretch, which I know well from climbing, was a joy. My stomach aches lessened and my knee was forgotten as I meandered my way on the South West path only the old scattered quarry mines slowed the pace with hard ups and downs to pass them by. Approaching Aldhelms Head the inclines started to show themselves. With tiring legs these ups just got harder and with the wind battering me full on constantly my head was wishing for the end. When i turned the corner of Aldhelm I was taken aback by the Jurrassic coastline, although my heart sank a little more as i contended in my mind of all the hills i still had to hit. The end would just have to wait a while.
I decide to walk more and more here especially the hills I was incapable of doing anything apart from huff and puff up these now. But, I did enjoy the downs. I hammered these fast and my legs felt surprisingly strong. I wish there were more hills i could train on locally. Soon I was sprinting down into Chapmans Pool a beautiful idyllic spot for anyone to admire. Admiring soon turning to hurt as I made my way up over a 100m vertical for a km, ouch. More awesome views from the top though and I was sure I could see the end with no further big hills.
Another fast descent and I was 'cruising' past Kimmeridge ledges and could see the tower at the bay. Descending into Kimmeridge bay I took a break to admire the views and take a few shots. With still another 2km to go to the car I didn't linger long and taking the long way back didn't enthuse me at all. Arriving back I managed to buy a cold orange and lemonade from the cafe and take a seat after 5hours on the move covering around 26miles of tough terrain (circa 3700feet).

From 2011 Purbeck run

A great days running and I surprising felt good, tired, but in a good way seeing that my training had been low these last 6 weeks. I recommend anyone to run/walk the Jurassic coastline it is simply beautiful and whats best for me is that i still have the westside of kimmerigde to explore now - well maybe next month. And even better as i contemplate linking it all up with a run from Studland to Weymouth. Mouth watering.

From 2011 Purbeck run