So, what’s it called when you exactly equal your PB? To the second. Is that an EPB? Yesterday, along with about 14,000 others I ran the lovely Royal Parks half marathon. 13.1 miles and I couldn’t have found one more second somewhere? Ah well. It was a good day for Team Guardian with both myself and Adharanand making the top twenty in our respective gender categories. Time for a misspelled Guardian team kit?

The Royal Parks is a brilliantly organised race given such huge numbers, with a stunning route through central London and of course those parks. It seems to have a pact with the weather gods, too – I’ve done it three years in a row and it is always absolutely perfect for running. My only gripe is that I’m not sure why it’s not UKA-affilliated, though I confess this is mainly out of vanity – it means my two equal-best times therefore don’t appear on my Power of 10/ Run Britain profile.

I’m not sure if any other runners can report issues, but it’s also notable for me in being one of the few races where – despite sheer numbers – people do seem to start largely in the right pen – a gripe I was moaning about only the other week. Though talking of race etiquette – to the chap who attempted repeatedly to engage me in conversation at about mile six, when I was having a bad moment – seriously? Did I look like I was up for a chat? If only I had had the spare lung capacity …

So runners, what did your weekend hold for you? Fellow Royal Parks-runner, Yorkshire marathoner, or some medal bling from one of the many other races this weekend? Share all – whether races, training or jogging with the kids – below the line as always.

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