I had just an hour on the eBike today, wrapped in loads of layers together with a well-fitted balaclava. Clothing essentials for very severe temperatures. The spin from Cushcam to Colligan was beautiful, yet I needed to be very cautious because of road conditions. I knew this in advance. Unexpectedly, the low sun was treacherous, flashing through leafless trees on the descents, turning familiar lines into something uncertain.

Wexford parkrun again, and the place was sharpened by frost. The kind that crunches underfoot and makes every breath feel deliberate. Heavy frost, sub-zero, the sort of cold that discourages dithering. It was honest weather. Turn up, get on with it.New runners on the feet too — Hoka Clifton 10s — still clean enough to look slightly out of place on a winter track.

The year opened quietly, the best kind of opening. My favourite kind. A mid-morning eBike roll-out that felt like an easing-in, ninety unhurried minutes to let the body move and the head catch up. Coolnasmear first, then on towards Colligan, roads very familiar to me, but that continue to offer small surprises. There was something new threaded through the ride too: my conscious attempt at a faster cadence.

I need to change the front brake pad. It would wake the dead. Please pardon the blatantly obvious: The back ones aren’t far behind.

Highlights 20th December 2025: Very blustery. The kind of wind that rearranges your thoughts as well as your hair. If I had hair. Southerly wind but it suited because the headwind on each lap was on the downhill and tailwind for the last kilometre. Ideal A necessary nature break after lap one (needs must — even Garmin understands). Patchwork of jerseys: Wexford pride, marathon badges of honour, Ray D’Arcy cameos, Fleadh Cheoil memories — a moving gallery in Lycra.