Talkback: ASICS Target 26.2 Team: Lee

Brilliant execution of a plan - congratulations.

Might see you on the "Gibbet" as I live in Highclere.....our paths might cross one day.

Lee - congrats, fantastic effort! How were the DS racers, thinking of sorting myself out with a pair.

Not only was Lee amazing for himself - he is a great team player and totally supported the rest of the Team! Thanks for being such a star Lee (and the lovely Jane too!).

Awe inspiring - I shall get faster!

Well done Choisty. must be a great feeling. Will you be living it up in the elite zone next year?

Lee - well done again, great run

Sam's hubby wasn't quickest Brit after all - someone ran 2:37 but Choisty stays third on gun time as he beat the runner with slightly faster chip time across the line.

Lee was out very late last night celebrating (knocking back first pint in five seconds) but was up Eiffel Tower first thing this morning and looked well in afternoon.

He can now do Boston or London next year.

Hello again, I am still grinning like a Cheshire cat  very very happy bunny indeed.

First off, there are a few thank yous that need to be said:

Steve - You are an amazing coach, the schedule really worked and the tough session made the marathon a joy, I have never been so strong.  The words you had for me on Marathon day galvanized my mind and meant that for the first time ever I stuck to the plan! The right coach, the right plan, the right strategy...GENIUS

Ruth - I didn't hit the wall, slowed a little in the 3 of the final 4 miles but that was against the wind, so the carb loading worked and I entered race day light but loaded

Sarah - core work kept me pretty much injury free, apart from Salisbury plain in -7C, but that is circumstance

Sam - Not my coach, I know but always a friendly face and loads of encouragement

Forumites - You're tips, encouragement, best wishes and similar journeys made this so much easier, especially at the bleak times (mid-feb) when your support kept me going

Stacey - The fairy godmother of ASICS, the kit was perfect and I am a real convert to DS Racers from now on, your encouragement through the process and on race day was ace...so was the ASICS area on the finish line

Runners World Crew - So much fun to be around even the photos and videos were made into fun (especially when running from the Gendarme's!), the organisation was great no stress so we could focus on running

Colin (Knight Rider), Craig (BoDuke), Emma (EmmaC), Rosie (RosieA) - What a great bunch of guys they have been amazing throughout the experience making running and partying with them an absolute joy.

 THANK YOU ONE AND ALL

I will post an update tonight, reviewing the race mile by mile

RS78 - DS Racers, go for it the perfect marathon shoe (for me at least) not a moments problem, I got one blister the same as always in any race over HM.

Otis - I will be using Elite plave or maybe just maybe going for Boston, is missed out on Fukuoka 2:43 B qualifying standard!!!

Oscarr - The beer is waiting, hopefully you will race too

Craig - Cheers mate, Jayne reads this so she will get the message

Lee- pleased you enjoyed the race as well as the journey getting there. Thanks so much for allowing me to be part of this, really loved my time on the forums. I will be back on to read your detailed race report but shall sign of with a final well done!

Good luck to all racing this weekend.

Choisty,

I've been lurking as I've had absolutely nothing constructive to say until now!  Well done I'm really chuffed you've achieved your goal.  I really hope getting to the Championship Start at which ever marathon you do lives up to all that you hope it does and you have an awesome race when you get there.