Finished in 5 hrs 23 - I was fine at 13 miles (2 hrs 9) but my knee 'went' at 19 and had to hobble the last 7 miles, but still got a pb! The crowd made a real difference to keep going.

I'm running the London Marathon to raise money for Mencap and the great support they give to people with learning disabilities and their families..... My late brother, Chris, had Down's Syndrome and also my niece, Nicola, has severe cerebral palsy...and we know from personal experience what a difference Mencap can make, so I'm running so that Mencap can continue to help others.

I have run a few half marathons (slowly), and each time I've finished I felt I couldn't run another mile let alone do it again! So this is a BIG step up....and my kids have suggested that I won't get round!

December update - have now run 20 miles/wk for 2 months, run  +150 miles (slowly), lost 1/2 a stone - and Maisie the dog is loving the extra exercise... though 26 miles in one go still seems a long way!

January Update - now running 25 to 30 miles a wk, and joined a local running club (the Hogweed Trotters) though at the moment they have to wait for me to catch them up!

February Update - running +30 miles a wk, and my longest run has been 18 miles... and run 420 miles since November!

March update - completed a 20 mile race in 3hrs 10, and lost another 1/2 stone .... so getting closer to being able to get round! Ran Forest of Dean 1/2 (forest trails and hills!) in 1 hr 58.

I really appreciate your support.