Never, ever, never, ever let me do another marathon!....why would anyone do that again?

Surely, I couldn't have forgotten just how unpleasant it is?

Actually it's a lovely day...lots of friendly runners, the positive atmosphere, the cheering crowds, the big bands, the disco music, the drums, the funny shaped men covering their wedding tackle in Vaseline.. the silly outfits. You can't help but enjoy it. 

You've smiled and waved at people, overtaken Beatrice and her long suffering friends in their caterpillar, had a couple of bottles of Lucozade, listened to a bit of 'Middlemarch' on your iPhone, smiled at a few friendly passers by who shout 'Come on, Katherine!' because the last thing you did before setting off was to write your name in felt tip on your shirt, followed Darth Vader for a while, admired the complete lycra purple body stocking of the man infront, wondered how on EARTH  the amazing woman with one leg, and one of those funny spring prostheses things, can manage to run not much slower than you, kissed your husband and children at the half way mark, had a bit more water, had a pee, listened to a bit more iPhone.....

watched the balloon arches indicating the miles get further and further and further and further apart....

19 miles, 20 miles, 21 miles,.....now it's beginning to get a bit achy...you think you've reached 23 miles, but it's still only 22...blimey, these miles are getting LONGER, have they made a mistake?

23 miles...aaargh, it hurts, 24 miles..Now I'm doing a bit of walking between the running...'Come on Katherine!' I hear, as I slow again ...ow! ow! it hurts...25 miles...and then like torture, you see '800m to go' and then there is an ETERNITY, and then '600m to go' !......NO!!! I must be there by now....'400m to go'....and eventually, finally, the finish line! Bliss!

I was 64 seconds slower than the last time I did it...but 2 years older, and a bit f....r ...(fatter) ..I can't say the word!

It must all be worth it, because lovely lovely people like you are sponsoring me.

If you have already donated to this site THANK YOU, it's greatly appreciated. I am so grateful for the amazing generosity of family and friends.