Family

It's not all about the big races and the fast times.

Sure, it would be nice to be able to go out and push yourself around to a PB every single outing, but let's face it - sometimes that just isn't possible.

Today was one such day.

Having races on the track in the 5000 metres at the Lancashire Championships some 18 hours earlier, I chose to do the Great Eccleston 4 mile road race today more as a means to encourage my dad to run himself.

He has taken up the sport as a means to get fit and as a form of hobby over the last 15 months, and has done a few 5k races in the past, so today he managed to do his first 4 miler, and performed well - it was good to see him going strong and looking like he was enjoying himself too towards the finish.

Myself, I managed to win the race, seeing off Jason Parker of Preston Harriers, who finished second. The pace wasn't the quickest - but then again on heavy legs and into yet another head-wind, that was never going to be likely anyway.

The reason I like to support these smaller races so much, is the sense of community, family and friendship that you get from them. I am proud to be a runner, and proud of my club, and all the other runners that go out there and give it their best every week - and proud of the sportsmanship and support that we all offer each other. You wouldn't get other clubs encouraging each other in most sports!

So, 4 wins in ten days, and as many team wins too!

A good bank holiday all in all :)