I didn't enter the Keswick 10k Round the Houses event on Wednesday night in the end.

Julie had child issues as apparently making sure young Sam gets safely to football practice is more important than improving on our 10k time.

I know – I don’t understand her lack of dedication either!

Dianne was on holiday and Sharon and Margaret are going to take some persuading to do a 10k so that left me with the option of running with Christine, Jaye, Ian and Judy.

This was never going to happen in a million years as they’re super nippy or I could have run by myself. Probably in the dark.

I decided discretion was the better part of valour and ruled myself out.

They all had a great time as the weather was ace and Sam was in the top three I think.

This week was a victory for me though. Not only did I complete the 10k at Brigham (have I mentioned that?) I also made it to the two classes this week.

Polish that halo.

The weather has been glorious for running in and makes all those weeks in the pouring rain and howling wind worthwhile.

Monday we went to Harris Park and did loops.

I was randomly paired up with Sue, which was unfair on her.

It was good fun though and made me think about the Parkrun near Bristol, which is on the brink of being charged to use its local park for the weekly free 5k event by its local council.

The council said the fee was to help pay for upkeep of the paths.

Back in Cockermouth, despite it being a gorgeous evening, we were the only people using Harris Park, apart from one or two dog walkers.

It should have been packed out with children and adults enjoying the sunshine, but it wasn’t.

Parks are public places and runners are the public.

You may hate us (us! I’m getting into the swing of this now) for wearing luminous yellow and cluttering up pavements, but we have the same rights as everyone else and we were using Harris Park when very few others were.

There was a woman on the national news crying “because it was like ripping apart a family”.

My initial reaction was “get a grip love” but then I thought about our crew of runners.

In the space of a year we have become, I like to think, good friends.

These are women and men I probably wouldn’t have met in any other circumstance but we have a bond now.

Mainly forged through moaning and me falling over, but a bond nonetheless.

While I’m not a dedicated Parkrunner, these are its aims and its ethos.

It’s a runner thing and I have enjoyed the couple I’ve taken part in.

I must get to Workington’s one soon, which starts at Workington Leisure Centre at Moorclose.

It’ll be good training for the 10k there next month, which we’re talking about taking part in.