Well I did it and it's all finished now - NEVER AGAIN!

I was going well at 10 miles, running a 3:52 pace, which would've been superb, but I tripped on a water bottle and fell injuring my foot and ankle. Still I ran a 4:34 so that was OK I guess.

The crowds were superb all the way round and kept me going (slowly).

Did I just say never again, have just entered the online ballot for next year, because I really want a decent time and was really disappointed with my time.

Current Marathon PB 4:34:18

Current Half Marathon PB 1:46:19

Current 10k PB 47:51

Why 'The Stroke Association'?

Stroke is something that it very close to me, as my grandad (now sadly no longer with us) had a massive stroke which left him without speech and paralysed many years ago. Unfortunately due to the extent of the damage to his body he had to leave his own home as he was unable to look after himself and move into a care home.

At the time was I was 20 and had always been very close to my Grandad.

Sadly over the months I began to find visiting harder and harder as my memories of the active 'Gramps' I once knew, eroded further each time I saw him.

Watching him becoming more and more frustrated as he was still active mentally but could not convey his thoughts through speech and due to his paralysis not be able to write his thoughts down.

This totally destroyed me, so I slowly decreased the number of visits I made to him and for that I will never forgive myself and my selfishness.

So I guess this is my way of trying to prevent someone else going through what I had to or so that there is support for them.

Unfortunately having all the running time with just my own thoughts and my iPOD for company gives me even more time to reflect and my grandad often enters my thoughts for large periods of my run, which although upsetting does get my off my bum and out there when I am feeling a bit undermotivated.

This is for you Gramps!

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Stroke Association will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support, especially my wife Michelle who has the pleasure of washing all of my running kit every week - that can't be a nice experience!!!!

Cheers,

Kev