On Saturday, I ran in the Southern Counties Cross Country Championships on Parliament Hill Fields. That makes it sound like I had to qualify for a place but all I did was put my name forward. It was the toughest race I've done; 9 miles through mud and ice, up and down hills but with a very forgiving final mile or so, downhill and along a level stretch to the finish.

Once again I was pleased to see the St John Ambulance well represented. Charles Harvey, one of our Chartership candidates and St John member, was patrolling on his bike and again very welcome. The last time I mentioned him and St John Ambulance in a blog, I was grateful for their being at the race but glad they weren't being used. This time they were very busy strapping up knees, ankles and supporting hobbling runners. Thank goodness for their commitment to the public good, professional development and training (what does that remind you of?). At a few points during the race I did consider just lying down in the mud and waiting for an ambulance to pick me up and drive me home but I persevered (another subtle analogy for CILIP qualifications).

Good luck to all those putting their portfolios together.