Where I run (4)

(Whiteleaf continued)

The first thing that faces you is a hill.Rising up and leveling out near the school it's a good start and really gets rid of the cobwebs.The level part is no more than 300 yards or so before the left turn to start the "Hill of death!!" (I believe it's actually called Kop Hill but my description is more apt).It gets gradually steeper and disappears into the woods about half a mile up masking the terror beyond.Here it gets steeper still,slackens a touch and finishes you off with the worst incline you're likely to come across (paint me blue and call me Susan if it's not so!).

At the next junction turn right (Whiteleaf cross and woods are left of you) and enjoy the level running through the woods right down to Redland End.Two more right turns before a sharp drop towards Wardrobes which is a very narrow lane with passing spots before it joins a more major road from your right.

You need to cross over to the right side of this road as you'll be turning right off it in about 300 yards but be careful here as the road can be busy.The drop down through Loosley Row is also on a narrow,and much quieter road,which joins the main A4010 at the bottom (Bledlow Ridge is on the hill ahead of you here).

This is a main road but it has a good,clear path & grass verge up the left side.The route back to the start is level and then gradually drops down through the cuttings by Culverton Manor and from here,if you look right,you can see the killer hill you ran up and Whiteleaf Cross.

All the pain is at the start of this one,if you've made it this far in one piece the last couple of miles are level or down hill which is a nice way to finish.I use this one as part of my training for the Wycombe Half Marathon which also has a "cheeky" hill right at the start - but not in the same league as this one!