Hi all,

Here is my story on my amazing day yesterday…

I completed the route, I made it home, to the finish line.

I was off at 11.15’ish and there were lots of runners in my wave and I found myself next to Big Bird from Sesame Street! Have a good run we both said and off we went on our rolling start.

I made sure to pace myself and took on energy gels, jellies, and water plus everything else I needed. I can’t quite put into words the sound of the crowd, from mile 1, they were loud, funny, and full of support – amazing.

I met my family at mile 12 at the Royal Marsden cheer point, just before Tower Bridge, 2hrs 10 min after the short break and feeling good, actually, feeling great. I’ve paced really well, not pushing it and happy with my run, I can definitely keep this up – they were surprised too!

I swapped shirts into my second charity cause, The Royal Marsden, and continued along the route. I hadn’t seen Big Bird since the start but was running alongside a Penguin and 2 Freddie Mercury’s – what a day! I crossed Tower Bridge, and I was soon halfway and heading home.

It was at this point I had the first feeling of cramp, not unusual I thought although it hadn’t occurred before on any training runs – I thought I can sort this, slow the pace a bit and let it pass, should be ok. Unfortunately, it wasn’t ok, so I decided to stop and stretch it out and this pattern continued for the next few miles.

I was on my way again, but not for long – full cramp had set in on both legs and after a few short runs, stretching and stopping, a kind St Johns medic came over and pointed me to the top of the hill nr Millwall where they had a medic station and I met an amazing medic called Chen who basically took me, a runner who could hardly walk without cramp setting in, and over next 20 minutes got me back on my feet. As I was sitting there being treated, I’m sure I saw a yellow bird with a big beak run through!

I had gone from contemplating I might not get to the end of the run to a second chance - my run plan of a steady minutes per mile was out the window, I needed a new plan to get to the finish line, 10 miles away.

First plan, run ½ a mile, then a walk to rest my legs from cramp then go again. No, that didn’t work. This was going to be a painful run to the finish line, I needed something to push me on, then, as so many runners do, remembered why I was doing this, but then I realised it wasn’t just in memory of loved ones, it was also for people now, tonight, tomorrow who need the care and support of Marie Curie and The Royal Marsden. I decided to run as far as could until cramp set in then stretch, walk, and repeat for 10 miles. The crowd continued to be amazing, loud, and encouraging – we all knew I didn’t really have this – but they all said I did!

When I realised my plan to run as far as I could was not making much impact – I set upon a new one, run to the next bridge, set of lights whatever it was in my distant field of vision, get there, stretch, walk, repeat.

The Embankment came (25 miles), my family saw me, but I was so determined to get to Golden Jubilee Bridge, unfortunately I didn’t see or hear them despite their best effort of shouting and even running alongside – I guess this is what they call being in the zone - I was getting to that bridge 300m away! I got to another set of lights, turned right at Big Ben, not far away now, a walk and then run down The Mall, close to home, aching, sore but completely elated!

I turned into The Mall, Big Bird was nowhere to be seen, he’s made it too, I stopped again due to cramp but managed to let go of the advertising hoarding and start running and crossed the line – at last.

2hrs 20m out and 3hrs 30m home – the tale of my marathon.

Would I like a better time, probably a yes based on how I felt halfway through.

Would I change the day – no, definitely not, it was an amazing day! From being completely happy with my run to 45 min later contemplating I might not even finish, then somehow finding a way (with a lot of help from Chen at St Johns Ambulance!) to get through the next 10miles.

I met lots of amazing people, I ran alongside them, met them in the crowd, not to mention the volunteers from LDN Marathon and St Johns Ambulance who helped to make it an unforgettable day out.

I’d like to end with a huge thank you to you, the donors – when I was 2/3rds round and struggling with cramp I remembered the reason why I was doing this. My mum, dad and Father-in-law were the reason I was out there, in the backend of the Isle of Dogs stretching out on someone’s front garden wall, but the reason I had to finish was to help those who needed the care today, tonight and tomorrow continue to get it, my pain will go away in a couple of days but your donations will help them continue their amazing work.

Between all the runners for the two charities we currently stand at just over £250,000 for The Royal Marsden and Marie Curie is heading towards more than £350,000.

That’s why I would not change the day!

Thank you for all your generous donations.