A Tail (sic) of Two Castles

[Katnap]

It might not be on a par with TailChaser 's performance but I managed to run my fastest Two Castles 10km and 4th fastest 10km to date.

As you can see from the photo, conditions were bright with some clouds. But with 20km/h winds from WNW direction it was only 13°C and this may have helped a good number of participants to improved performances.

This event is a part of the local WRRL competition so a number of places are open (reserved) for club runners. The two castles in question are Warwick and Kenilworth and it is a point to point 10km race with a nett uphill elevation (Kenilworth direction). Very well organised by the Kenilworth Rotary club and generating a lot of funds for local charities.

Previously I completed the race in 54m (2022) and 51.30 (2023) so I was aiming to get under the 50m mark this year and in so doing score at least 1 point for my club.

The start line is under a castle gate and puts you directly onto a roundabout. Taking the 2nd exit you head down to St John's, turn left at the lights, and then up Coventry Road. Continuing along this road until near the A46 roundabout where you're directed right, follow a country road up to a left turn heading to Leek Wootton (halfway) and multiple upward inclines into Kenilworth.

The first half of the race I kept telling myself, you're going too fast, you're going too fast, but it felt kind of okay and breathing was still under control so I just rolled with it and thought I would hang on for the next 4km and make a push in the final km with a sprint down the final straight into Kenilworth Castle grounds and the finish line.

Very pleased and surprised to find I finished well under target. Happy kitty 🐈

🐱 Katnap 🐱

[TailChaser Marathon]

Of course you did, you’re awesome 🤩😍xxx

[Katnap Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

Need to go quicker next year now 😳

[GTFC Marathon in reply to Katnap]

Double Zoiks 👆🏽🤣

[lexi6 10 Miles]

So speedy Katnap Congratulations on your time 👏👏

[Katnap Marathon in reply to lexi6]

Thank you lexi6 😻

[Week7 Half Marathon]

Brilliant run!! Just imagine what you could do if you borrowed the lucky hairband!!

[Katnap Marathon in reply to Week7]

It would have to be at a time when TailChaser isn't running! Or it could get messy 🤣

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to Katnap]

🤣🤣🤣🤣 I do have spares!

[GTFC Marathon in reply to Week7]

👆🏽🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🙌

[RunWillie Metric Marathon]

Well done Katnap 🤩

[Katnap Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Ta RunWillie ! 🐱👍

[Runnerno]

Wow very well done Katnap a great race and another fantastic time plus points for the club 👍😊

[Katnap Marathon in reply to Runnerno]

It doesn't seem to get easier! 🤣

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Good morning Katnap! Always good to hear from you. Another brilliant performance from the Kat clan. All of that uphill sounds like a real challenge, but you nailed it (again! ). Hopefully you were in Kenilworth early enough for the brownie …..the spoils of victory 🙂

I find the amazing exploits of the Kat family a real inspiration. So keep running and telling us all about it.👍

[Katnap Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Youngest kitten seems to be getting the bug so who knows where that will end up!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Katnap]

Olympics!🙂

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Maybe we’ll just settle for a run round an Olympic stadium BC?!

[GTFC Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

'I find the amazing exploits of the Kat family a real inspiration. So keep running and telling us all about it.' Here here Beachcomber66 ✅🎯

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

Always great to read what the Kat's and Kittens are doing, an inspiration to us all, that's so fast too, awesome running

[Katnap Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks SueAppleRun 😻

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

😍

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

Top Cat! Well done. I expect you were too speedy to notice the crowds, but were they as many, as supportive and as noisy as last year?

[Katnap Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

Support was excellent as always with lots of jelly babies on offer once you get into Kenilworth 😃👍

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

I think they were noisier Shakes. And I got up the hill at the start being followed by a partially sighted man wearing a kilt playing bagpipe music on his phone…that was quite noisy - you will know him from parkrun. He was a very useful distraction!

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

Love it!!

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Fantastic run Katnap - well done!🙂💪

[Katnap Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Cheers Sandraj39 🐱👍

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Fantastic on every level Katnap! What a speedy bunch of Kats you are. Bet you were chuffed to pieces with your (and TC’s) results! ❤️

[Katnap Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Did TC mention getting PB? 😹

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Katnap]

Nah. Definitely not. She’s been dead quiet! 🤣

[Katnap Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

So humble...

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to Katnap]

🤣🤣 I did! 🤣

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Fantastic Katnap ! Congratulations!!! 😊x

[Katnap Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Thanks aliboo70 😻

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Wow. COngratulations. Another Kat on fire! Where will it stop?

That's a gorgeous photo too.

[Katnap Marathon in reply to linda9389]

The photo was taken early, before the hordes arrived. There was no avoiding the hordes at the end though!

Hordes

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Katnap]

😍😍😍

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

That’s fast! Congratulations KN 👏👍 No doubt you already have a target in mind for next year….🤔

And what a beautiful photo!

[Katnap Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

🤣 a time under 45m would be nice...

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Katnap]

🤣🤣

[Oldfloss Administrator]

Just wow... as ever...speed machine, and the some.. well done you ! x

[Katnap Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

😻👍

[GTFC Marathon]

It was a brilliant run for you Katnap and one you should be so proud of. To hold those splits with the way the course is takes some doing. A fantastic time as well which you deserve 🙌🏅👏

[Katnap Marathon in reply to GTFC]

Cheers GTFC ! Trying to keep the effort about the same and not worry about the pace 🐱👍

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Congratulations Katnap. A beautiful day for it and a fantastic time . Your picture is stunning too. I hope you celebrated well.