Looking back at the big day

A few days on my blisters are not bad but everything else is a mess! I had a fantastic first 16 miles ( passed the 16 mark at 2 hrs 32 mins, so tracking to finish in 4 hours), then the sun intensified rapidly over the space of maybe 15 minutes and it had the most dramatic physical effect on me I’ve ever experienced. Running round the Isle of Dogs was like having a warm hair dryer (I still remember what they are!) blasted in my face. Lost it completely and finished in 4 hrs 39 mins which is 17 mins off target time and 3 mins slower than last year. I couldn't even think straight! At 22 miles I managed to convince myself I had only run 14 - really, really weird personal experience. I think its probably the most physically and mentally exhausted Ive ever been. It was a very tough day, far harder than last year.

Whilst I’m immensely frustrated that I didn't deliver a time to do justice to how well my training went, I’m becoming more philosophical as the days pass and I am just happy that I completed it in exceptional weather conditions, in one piece and not in hospital! The camaraderie that has built between Lisa Hacker, Mike Greggs, Mike Allen, Craig Mackie, Richard Honey and me has been a real plus and it has been great to support each other before, during and since the event. I think we have all been through similar experiences and this has created a real bond between us all.