The Wow Factor

When I started my blogging challenge in January, I was looking for a new challenge; something to motivate and inspire me, something outside my comfort zone, something that brings me joy, makes me smile and is worth all the effort.

It sounded like a big ask, but over the last few days, I've been reminded that every run (or walk) can have a wow factor, something special and unexpected; I just need to be looking for it and appreciate it when it happens. I don't need to wait for the big race days or special events; I just ned to run with my eyes open.

We are in Guernsey for a few days and the sun has been shining almost ever since we arrived on Thursday. The first 'wow' came when we arrived at our hotel. After climbing 105 steps to the front door and another 44 steps to our room... this was the view that greeted us:

Looking out on St Peter Port from the Ziggurat Hotel

Wow!

On Friday morning, there was something magical and mysterious about watching the island reappear beneath us as the early morning fog dissipated. When I first peeped out of the curtains at 7.30am, I couldn't see the house across the path. On Saturday, it was equally magical as the sun rose into a clear sky.

Sunrise over Castle Cornet

We've explored sandy beaches and rocky coves, played mini-golf and eaten cake, wandered along daffodil-lined country lanes and found fairy caves and a witches' den (according to local folklore anyway). We've watched waves crash over the sea wall before the start of parkrun and followed in the footsteps of Victor Hugo, Renoir and the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. 

We've even walked on water (according to Strava anyway), crossing the causeway to Lihou Island and embraced the history all around us. 

There's a path there somewhere....

Lot's of extraordinary, inspiring little moments of joy.

But then I've not done much actual running this week, so I wanted to finish the week with one more run. I set off from the museum gardens, headed along the sea front through St Peter Port and down towards the south. The walking guide mentioned a "steep climb" and some off-road sections but I wasn't sure what else to expect. I was just planning to run for about an hour and thinking only about running and not about where I was going or what I might see.

There was definitely a steep climb but as the path climbed, I began to experience the feeling of adventure. I didn't know where I was going, I was following a windy path up one hill and down another, tree roots, steps, a bit of mud, more steps, woodland, more steps and then... 

Wow!

A staircase down to the sea and a view of a rocky cove and puffins... you might need to look closely to spot those, but they were there, I promise.

Looking for puffins

Another climb, round another headland, sheltered by trees. The path splits again... there are some steps down to the sea again (which I know I will have to climb back up again in a few moments... this is the 20 minute mile if you are checking out my route on Strava). Is it worth it? I won't know unless I go down the steps and see...

Wow!

A perfect view of Fremain Bay, sun glistening on the clear water. 

Fremain Bay

I was just expecting to run for an hour, just for the sake of a run, but instead I got beautiful views, a fantastic workout (all those steps), some much-needed off-road miles and a great down hill finish just to stretch my flags.

It definitely made me smile (even if I did have to climb up those 149 steps to get back to our hotel room) and will hopefully inspire to keep on running with my eyes open. And we've got a couple more days in Guernsey to see what else we can find.

Addendum....

There was plenty of time for more wow moments before we left!

After a morning at the Occupation Museum, we followed a country lane down towards the coast, winding our way on the cliffs at Petit Bot Bay:

On our last morning in Guernsey, an early flight meant we were up just before the sun, but only just. Drawing back the curtains, we watched the sunrise over Sark before heading to the airport.