The Capital Ring

Over the years living and enjoying myself around London (mostly South), I often encountered signs telling me I was using or crossing the 'Capital Ring'.

As I got more familiar with exercise and maps, I got more of a sense of what the Ring is; a 78 mile walking route circling London. Later in 2019, I thought a bit about tackling the route as a run/walk over 3 days at different points in 2020. During a lunch chat with a pal in early January '20, I had a sudden, dangerous notion: could I complete the Capital Ring in 3 consecutive days?

The plan?

With no planning (besides getting a copy of the really useful guidebook), I set out on a Friday to give it a try. If I made it? Great. If I didn't manage? That'd be okay too!

Day 1:

A later start than planned (I'd taken a Friday off, the temptation of a lie in was too much!), but made my way to Crystal Palace Park; since being a miniature human I've always loved the park and thought it'd be an ace place to finish my experiment if I made it that far.

After checking with Guy the gorilla, I spotted a bench which I decided to perish on should I actually finish this daft thing.

With a gentle start, I started trotting down the roads and green spaces of south London, tweeting a little more regularly and keenly than I would later in my journey.

After encountering a few beautiful things, I passed Richmond Park (the deer nowhere to be seen - clearly hiding in the upper branches of the trees I passed) and on making it to the river, made my first stop. It'd been a hilly run so far (south London always hillier than I remember), but took the opportunity to check my route for the remainder of the day. If all went well, according to my calculations I'd be finishing just by Boston Manor station near Ealing.

One of the only photos from the post Boston Manor canal charge to Greenford

I cracked on, seeing a couple of nice castle-type buildings and some giant Thames-side rats, before joining the canal/river that would take me through the rest of this day. While canals can be a bit boring for running on, I quite enjoy the chance to worry less about navigation and see some ducks. As I approached the point I'd been planning to finish up, I realised I still had a few miles to go to hit my 26.2 target. As such, I kept on going until I eventually reached Greenford. Here, I bought and downed a litre of horrible strawberry milkshake, then headed to meet some dear pals in Ealing, and had the joy of meeting their 6 day old son. It was unexpected and short notice, but a really beautiful way to end my first day of nonsense.

Day 2:

Bolstered by my successful first day, I headed a bit further along the canal before veering off - I was aware that Harrow on the Hill was about the furthest out I'd get from central London, so was keen to get this out of the way. After a brief bit of drama running around a fight in Sudbury - a man attempting to hit another on the head with a giant spirit level, with police inbound - I made it through to Harrow on the Hill. Here, there was a challenging hill, a fancy college whose grounds I briefly ran through, and the only stile on the whole of the capital ring (and pleased to report it was a solid, well maintained stile!).

One stile to rule them all, one stile to find them, One stile to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.

After this came the lowest point in this experiment; running along some footpaths alongside a hospital carpark (but separated by a chain link fence), I came to a flooded stretch of path. I was unable to over it, under it, (couldn't be bothered with) around it, so eventually decided I had to go through it. My attempt at creating stepping stones out of nearby detritus quickly failed, and I was shin deep in muddy water. This was the point I wanted to scream, then stomp off to a bus stop and put an end to this nonsense.

Fortunately, I talked myself into trying to continue, and started running towards Highgate. Here, around 30km into the day's route, I'd planned to meet Abi who'd join me for as long as she felt like putting up with my grumbling. I eventually made it there, after passing through the super picturesque Highgate and Queen's Woods, and was glad to enjoy my sworn-by endurance drink combo - orange and lemonade with a non alcoholic beer. After a brief moment of emotional reaction to the morning's events (a blub!), we set off and Abi led me along the Parkland Walk through North London - once again, I was much relieved to let go of navigation, and also to have someone to natter to while heading on at a pleasant pace.

Premium running fuel

Eventually we made it onto the River Lee, and after a few peaceful miles along here, we made it to Hackney Wick where we saw fit to grab a beer and some pizza.

Day 3:

This was it! The experiment was going well. My legs hadn't betrayed me, and I felt like I might actually be able to do this thing!

I set off back to Hackney Wick first thing in the morning (Sunday morning public transport is dreamily quiet, if spooky!), and got started. This was definitely the most confident I'd felt, any morning so far. After a bit more of the Lee, I joined the Greenway which led me quite a few miles towards Plaistow and Beckton - this raised, straight route gave me the chance to take in the sights (I'm a softy for the Olympic Park), and helped me set a decent pace for the day.

Eventually I headed off around the Docks surrounding the City Airport and between these and the Thames - there was an odd mix of swanky and dilapidated buildings here, and for one memorable mile I ran between a pair of scary chainlink fences covered in 'Beware the big bitey dog' signs with multiple holes on each side 😬

Once I reached the Woolwich Foot Tunnel, I was met by a strange man with a bicycle. As I approached the entrance to the foot tunnel, he told me that it was entirely closed - lift, stairs, the works. As I processed this, and contemplated the horrid idea of getting an Uber all the way round to the other side, I feebly mentioned I'd 'give it a try'. Walking into the entrance, I saw that the main entrance was closed, but hopped in the lift despite a worrying alarm noise, and headed down.

While the tunnel was quieter and spookier than normal, it was perfectly useable (who knows what that cyclist was up to). After a bit more nervous scampering than normal, I was back to my native side of the river. From Woolwich, I scampered around a couple of path diversions then the Capital Ring joined Maryon Park and I spent a couple of nice hours bouncing along parks and paths across southeast London (including a nice bump into a colleague, a slight recording error with my watch gizmo, and a couple of castles and bits like that).

With a couple of miles to go, Abi (fresh from some volunteering in Brixton) joined me once more in Cator Park. The last couple of miles were tricky, but I was pleased at the amount of oomph I was able to give it. Despite the only sprinkle of rain over the experiment kicking in at this late stage, I managed to do these miles and run through my imaginary finish line by the dinosaurs in Crystal Palace Park. Here, I celebrated my victory with a potter around the dinos, then a peaceful beverage at the Bridge House next door.

Did I learn anything?

I was chuffed to learn that I was able to do it. It sounds silly, but being able to do it (and somehow making it to the end without injury - not even a blister!) really meant something. I feel like a can find another silly experiment to pick up.

I often feel a bit inferior to other people, with running (particularly at cross country events) and other things; not fast enough, not composed enough. But with the Vanguard Way and this, I feel like I've found something I'm kind of good at (which feels hard to say) - just plodding along. And along. And along.

Now I'm contemplating the next daft thing I do, but I'll try to write about that when I do it. All signs currently pointing to the Isle of Wight Coast Path!