This week has been an easy week with a couple of runs on Tuesday and Thursday. I’ve had a bit of a head cold with snuffy nose so it worked out quite well!

I was keen to run the Linwood parkrun as I’ve done one this year. Also our good friends Neal and Caroline were running so arranged to go for a swim afterwards and have lunch at our house. We even ‘borrowed’ Micah for the swim which was great fun.

I didn’t feel particularly good during a warm up lap but decided to push as hard as I could for the run and see what happened.

I started with Neal who was pushing Harrison in his buggy and hoped I could stay ahead of him. We had had some fun banter on twitter before the run ….

Neal’s reply ….

I set off with the aim of keeping my breathing under control and running as hard as I could. Martin was out taking photos and took some at the end of the first straight.

Neal not far behind

Katrina starting well

Over the first lap I slowly caught up and passed a few runners and was happy that Neal was still behind me. I was feeling okay and concentrating on keeping a steady pace and effort.

Martin took some more photos at the end of lap 1.

Neal working hard to catch up and I’m working hard to stay ahead!

Katrina ran with Rhona and they helped each other to good runs

Caroline was concentrating hard on her run too!

On the second lap I tried to hang on to a guy just in front but he pulled away a few yards. Then as we ran down the dirt section of the run I could hear a buggy behind me and knew that Neal wasn’t far away.

When we reached the 90 degree left turn I glanced back and sure enough I saw the buggy. Initially I resigned myself that he would be going past but then decided to make it as hard as I could for him!

As the second loop went on and he didn’t catch me I was more hopeful that I might be able to stay ahead but I know only too well about Neal’s sprint finish. In certainly helped me keep my pace up!

As we turned left for the final time I couldn’t hear him so hoped I had enough of a lead to hold him off to the finish. I did!!

Sprint finish!!

Neal hard on my heals

Katrina finishing with a smile on her face!

Results …..

Most impressive was Katrina’s 37 second pb!! which took her to 4th place in the age graded results. Well done Katrina! Caroline also ran a pb at Linwood so both of them are in good shape for the Stirling Marathon.

Laura brought Micah over so we could take him swimming. So time for a photo …

Stats from movescount …