There has been just the right amount of rain/snow, followed by some dry weather, for the soil to attain a sticky, slippery consistency in the fields on the way back from Beacon Hill (the public footpath goes across the middle of several arable fields). Extra weight stuck on the sides of my shoes, and reduced grip on the soles.

However, other parts of the country have it much worse. During my three years at Cambridge, I only once went out on a training run with the Cambridge University Hare & Hounds. Their route included a path across the middle of a ploughed field. I ground to a halt due to the sheer weight of clay soil stuck to my shoes. The rest of them carried on running across the field; obviously running with extra weight attached to the feet was part of their regular training regime.