Any run I do these days is worthy of note. Since Ireland in August I’ve done very little running other than that necessary for teaching/coaching purposes. I’ve no doubt that, one of these fine days I’ll get into a routine again but for now I’m content just to do a bit when the mood takes me.

Christmas Day though I almost always run. Last year I changed and did the Boxing Day 10k instead. However I don’t particular want to struggle in in over an hour tomorrow so I resolved on a little plod mid-morning. The plan was White Rock to Bouley Bay over the cliffpath and back along the roads. It’s a while since I’ve been out that way – the road down from the Trinity side leads up to a rough track alongside the mysterious Rozel earthworks and down to the car park, popular with dog walkers and joggers. A breezy day but otherwise mild and bright. I fired up my Garmin for the first time since the ill-fated White Horse Half in March – more to see if it still worked than for any other reason; it did though somewhat reluctantly. Maybe it reckoned its days were done. I cleared the time still showing from that race of 2:01.xx 😦

I set off at a most cautious trot. Really there’s little point in doing otherwise until one is back into some sort of programme. I know I’m not in shape to attack runs right now in any case. The first stretch is easy anyway and it was highly enjoyable picking my way over the high ground with its views of the northern coastline. The ground wasn’t in bad condition considering the welcome rain we’ve had recently – no need for towing icebergs from what’s left of the Arctic just yet. Then a couple of long sweeps, downhill then up. My legs have lost strength and I was content to walk the ups – even turning around to admire the seascapes and gorsy cliffs.

Bouley Bay is a couple of miles along. On New Year’s Eve it’ll be the hill climb again. Well, if I had any lingering ambitions then there aren’t any longer. I

hauled myself up, occasionally breaking into a jog if a car approached. I’ve still got a little pride. At the high ground one skirts Alan Whicker’s property at Jardin  d’Olivet; here the Jersey Militia won their first skirmish with the French in 1549.

A little further along is the old Jersey house Sous Les Bois dating from the 17c and now renovated and owned by the National Trust for Jersey – it’s beautiful.

The last part of the run is flat and downhill. I pass a couple of genial chaps on horses who wish me Happy Christmas but who refuse me a ride down the road. Back to White Rock for 4.7 useful miles.