Run > Race

It was with some trepidation that I headed for London as my nerves had really been getting to me in the last week. lack of training and a rotten cold in taper made me question whether I should even attempt it, knowing that if I failed to finish I would be devastated.

On the morning the excitement on the train out from London Bridge was buzzing and I finally began to think that I could do this, I would just have to slow up as required.

Green Start is fantastic, very relaxed, a bit of celebrity spotting, and I managed to meet RJ's own celebrity, Wendy and have a pic taken before the start whicjh was followed by a cameraman taking a very close up shot of me re-tying my laces from a peculiar angle ( I hope it was my trainers he was filming!).

Over the line in 47 seconds and straight out of the park into crowds of supporters, the noise from them all way round was great - at the one point I put an earphone in to listen to ipod I couldn't hear it - so I just soaked up the atmosphere instead.

The pace I ran in first few miles was a little fast but I felt very comfortable with it and knew I would slow eventually, the last 4 miles were the most difficult for the legs, so I let them lead me and the split times show how I slowed but the atmosphere, cheers and smiles would lift the most miserable runner.

i can honestly say that at last I have enjoyed London Marathon

My watch showed 3:41:00 at finish!