First marathon, trained really hard. Got to the day, very excited. I was hoping for a sub-4:00, which from my half-marathon times was possible.For some reason ended up in Pen 9, which seemed strange as I put 3:45 on my application form. I was also

The London Marathon felt more like an obstacle course than a race. I spent half of every mile looking at the floor trying to dodge the half-empty discarded water bottles. After every Lucozade gel station the floor was like an ice rink where

. My last race leading up to the marathon was a half-marathon disaster - the pain from my foot slowed me to a not-so-speedy jog.During the race, St. John's were very kind in tending blisters on my good foot, although did look at me a bit strange when I

This was my 8th London marathon for United Response. Having spent a month in hospital from mid-February to mid-March, and having had back surgery at the beginning of March, I was waiting until the beginning of April before committing myself

I decided way back in 1999 that if I was going to do a marathon, I wanted to do the London Marathon. My illustrious career as a Sunday League football player was coming to an end and it was clear that Arsenal had missed their chance to snatch me up

After a few years of running 10Ks and half-marathons, the next challenge was the big one: a marathon. Six months ago (when I first received confirmation I had a ballot place) I was made up and devised my training programme carefully. I felt like

have raised over a thousand pounds for motor neurone disease and I hope this can help to stop suffering like my mother had to endure. We will not stop running and I hope our friendship will carry on through many more marathons and half-marathons

, an even split, 2:05 for the first 13.1 and 2:09 for the second half and I think this really helped. It was hotter than forecast, but not than I had expected, it's always hot on marathon weekend in London! Running through Canary Wharf it was like an oven

Celebrating the fact that I had won a place via the public ballot, I had trained hard to achieve a sub-4:00 time. I was overjoyed at recording two half-marathons during the training both under 1:50. A few minor injuries over the 16 weeks were nursed

Its  great to see how many first-time marathoners were running the Virgin London Marathon.  I was one too. A guy who at 58 has only been running two years, prior to which I'd been a couch potato for 20 years! Even when my girls got me running and I