My Christmas Day run

I woke up on Christmas morning and decided that this was to be the day of ‘take off’. I have been re- hab ing my knee for such a long time and I felt ready to let loose! I drank a lovely pre run cup of coffee and set off for a ‘long run’.

Christmas day seemed a good day to ‘go’ – and it fell on a Sunday – traditionally ‘long run’ day. The streets were empty as I headed out; I imagined the scenes behind the closed doors, stockings being delved into, tinsel and wrapping paper and bucks fizz abounding as I headed up the hill to the downs on a warmish windy December morn.

I love the downs – what more is there to say. I love being up there; and more than anything I loved being there celebrating Christmas Day, running free of pain and free of restriction. I was grateful of the gym work that has kept me fit and the long term easing up of the distance, and so I ran 10 miles. A proper run!

As I ran onto the seafront people were starting to emerge for a morning walk and some for a run. Suddenly coming towards me, running as one, was a big group, a festive formation, wearing Santa hats and bright gear and we called a greeting as we swooshed past.

I reached the pier which was deserted, so I ran a lap of it feeling like I was alone on deck, on a boat far out at sea. Running a lap of the pier, brought me a feeling of child-like joy and adventure, and once more I felt that I was born to run and the inner knowledge that as long as I am able I will always work to return from injury, back to the running road again, because the freedom I feel on the run is like no other.

I drove then to visit my aunt in her nursing home, sadly she seemed unhappy, Christmas was holding no joy for her, and she just wanted her bed. On the road to my sister in Lyme Regis I passed Stone Henge – magnificent in all its pagan mystery with the light  fading over the hills.

Like an oasis a garage heralded Costa coffee and – unusually for 4pm on Christmas day – I was hungry!   I stopped and enjoyed a cappuccino and cherry and almond muffin under the fluorescent lighting and the company of the garage attendant and a young lad helping him.

I arrived in Lyme Regis, after my different Christmas day, into a truly Christmas spirit. Another world, one filled with champagne and smoked salmon and chocolates and present opening. Then we all enjoyed watching ‘The inbetweeners ‘ movie – which I can’t imagine Rosy and I would have watched with our parents!

So Christmas Day was the day I ran again – and my hope for 2012 is that I can continue to run free. I hope this for everyone else too, that we can all run free and that we be free, to express ourselves in whatever way we desire.

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