Comments on: 197. The Hog’s Back Road Race, Guildford 2008 – It’s All About the Hill

By: Roads

Roads — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 11:37:17 +0000

Thanks, Ella. It’s true that working as a geologist makes you see the ground beneath your feet in an entirely different way. And when your head is resolutely down as you’re pounding your way up a monster hill, that’s no bad thing indeed.

As for getting out the door inside 30 minutes — it’s unusual for me as well. But faced with pressing priorities, it seems that I can make exceptions…

I’m optimistic about 2009. The potential for meaningful change in so many areas is enormous, and certainly all the greater following the tumultuous economic shockwaves which have blasted the world in 2008. I wish you all prosperity and happiness across the year ahead.

By: ellaella

ellaella — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 10:21:52 +0000

Just wonderful. I loved the geology lesson and the scenics are a bonus. (How anyone can get out the door in 30 minutes will remain a mystery and an achievement beyond my abilities.)

Happy Christmas and Happy New Year, roads. May ’09 be a far sight better for the world than ’08.

By: Roads

Roads — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 12:47:23 +0000

You chalked up some good puns there, Sweder. And you had me rocking with laughter.

Yes, I got out there, although it was a close-run thing. It’s a busy time of year and this was the first time I’ve managed to run this race, despite a few good missed opportunities.

As it happens, I ran eight miles the day before as well, since I forgot that the race was on. But remembering late was no problem, and picking up a race number was just a few seconds’ work in an event characterised by brilliant organisation, if just a little too much traffic along the A31.

By: Roads

Roads — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 11:36:27 +0000

Thank you, Silver Fox. Enjoy your great odyssey under the big skies of the American West. A bit more outcrop to enjoy than in our green and pleasant (and often foggy) land.

Merry Christmas!

By: sweder

sweder — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:29:27 +0000

Good to see you getting out there Roads. I’ve been terribly remiss on the running front, lured by pasttimes not associated with health or fitness. There’s a lot of work to be done before the end of January.

A detailed report, some of which left me feeling a little like the stranded plankton. None-the-less enjoyable, to a fault.

By: Silver Fox

Silver Fox — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:29:21 +0000

Roads, this is a great post! You can weave the present and the race in with the past and the geology like no one else. Running through (or above!) 200 million years of geology all in one day. Interesting how it’s called the Hog’s Back – must by the type locality of a hogback, but it seems a little different. I’ll have to look that up!

And now, I’ll be on the road myself, although in an old pickup truck. Have the best of holidays!