Hello, just coming to let you know how I did and to check on the other VLM runners. Very well done to slowkoala (more like speedy gonzalez!  ), sofaboy, khanivore and rattler. Sounds like you all had good races! I finished in 4hrs 43mins 3seconds. It was going to plan for a sub 4hr 30 until about mile 16 when realised that I couldn't maintain the pace and got gradually slower. I changed my focus to simply finishing at that point. There were so many people dropping out, walking, with cramp that I thought if I finish I will be happy. The last 8 miles were really hard and I kept feeling like my left hamstring was going to cramp up so I had to take it relatively slowly. If it weren't for the crowd yelling my name (thank god I had it on my shirt) I think I may have walked towards the end but I ran the whole way. I felt really rough when I finished but once I'd managed to get some fuel down me (orange juice did the trick) I felt better. Pretty stiff yesterday and today but in some ways not as bad as I thought I would be. I can go up and downstairs without too many problems. Thinking about running again on Thursday. It was much warmer than predicted (not sure how warm it ended up) and I'm glad I put suncream on. Still caught it on my face a bit but I would have frazzled otherwise. Not sure if it was the heat that meant I couldn’t keep the pace up or the fact that I had to dodge so many walkers/slower runners. I started in pen 8 and even though I was at the front of the pen, there were just too many people in front of me who were walking. I could see the 4hr 30 pacers at the start but lost them pretty quickly due to the sheer number of people. If I did it again, I would put a much better predicted time on the form and get put in an earlier pen. It took me 20 minutes to get across the start line. There were also points on the course (mile 10 and in docklands) where there wasn’t really a tape holding the crowds back and they had encroached onto the road so that the whole course was narrowed and it turned into a bottleneck. But the crowds were the whole reason I wanted to do London and they are the reason I managed to finish. Highlights: 1) The atmosphere at the start, just amazing. 2) Managing to see my sister and BIL at mile 11, really gave me a boost 3) Half way point, smack on 4hr 15mins and the band in the middle of the road were playing Bon Jovi's Living on a Prayer – as I got there, they were belting out "we're halfway there…" 4) The number of people yelling my name. Couldn't believe how many people did and how much of a boost it was. 5) Someone telling me at mile 21ish that I looked as fresh as a daisy! (I didn't but it made me laugh) Low points: 1) My nan passed away on Saturday so emotionally it was a very hard day. Especially between miles 5-6 when a pub was playing a song that reminded me of her. 2) I missed my husband and kids as they were on the opposite side of the road to where I was expecting them (but did meet up with them at the end) I have got some really good pics – thanks to someone who told me to smile and wave at all the photographers. There is a pic of me at mile 25 smiling and waving even though I was in absolute agony. I am thinking of forking out for the whole set. I am also going to enter the ballot for next year but I'm sort of hoping I won't get in. Maybe 2015? I can't remember how many times you need to enter the ballot before you get an automatic place? I have to say, the whole organisation was simply superb. It all s | 
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Louey
My sister wants to do Berlin as apparently its a good one for a PB. She's nearly got an elite time though so I would finish a good hour and a bit after her even if she can persuade me to go with her. I have supported my local 20 mile race though and there is a 10k a few miles away that I do every year.
