This week, my running regime didn't get off to the best of starts.

I got home from work on Monday, ready to face Sam and the torture of running, but was greeted by a strange smell when I opened the door.

I thought something had died somewhere. Cats were fine and husband was still breathing.

Had one of them dragged something in and killed it? (Naturally, the cats. Although I don't know what hubby does when I'm out running).

This was a case for CSI Regan. Had to cry off running to track down the odour. I don't think Sam quite believed my domestic crisis.

I was going to make the effort to get out on Tuesday, but quite frankly, there was a takeaway on offer, and I'm easily swayed.

Wednesday, there was an unofficial trial run organised of the Festival of Running route in Workington. I was tempted, but then saw it was Ian, speedy Edna, Christine and Lesley-Ann meeting up. No chance. I may as well be standing still at the rate they run, so I decided against that to save my blushes.

Thursday, it was pouring down and I left work later than I wanted to. The ideal opportunity for me to cry off again. I hadn't really eaten and I was tired.

But, somewhere in these mounds of fat must be a proper athlete/exercise lunatic (depending on who you talk to). I hadn't been out all week and my inner loon - she's well hidden most of the time - talked me into going.

It was truly miserable and we were a depleted bunch at the Lakes Home Centre. We were due to go and play on a field, but it was too wet, so ended up running to Dunmail Crescent.

I hate Dunmail Crescent. Actually, there's not much of Cockermouth I like - I speaking from a runner's perspective here. Any other time, I like the town.

We were doing tagged loops. Normally, we pair up randomly with someone of a similar speed.

Not this time. Sam made us run round together and then paired the fastest with the slowest and so on down the pack.

This meant I was with David, a very fast runner and husband of Jane, one of our band of triers.

I don't actually know him very well - mainly because he's so swift. The first loop was okay, but then we had to swap directions and it would mean me running up the steep bit of Dunmail Crescent.

Confession time, Sam. I slightly cheated. As I came round the corner to go down the hill, David was at the bottom of it. So I stopped and made poor David run all the way to me.

Evil but satisfying at the same time.

Tonight, I'm supposed to be meeting up with Christine and Lesley-Ann, who didn't make it to the Wednesday gathering as they couldn't find the Cloffocks. I reckon they can dart off and pick me up on the way back.

Tomorrow, I'll be doing the normal three miles and Sunday is the Festival of Running 10k. It's also likely I'll be doing a Cockermouth 10k on Tuesday with Julie.

So I deserved a sneaky rest on Thursday.

And the smell? It disappeared.