Belfast last year in 3:11, but did not really do the full training. This year I followed the sub 3hr schedule and felt really confident that I could break 3hrs. I ran 2:51, so can I say a big thank you to Runner’s World for getting me there. One

and feeling sick. I think relatives and friends need to keep away to allow the runners to get through and keep walking so that they can find space to eat, drink and meet up with their family and friends!My aim was to finish injury free (or at least still

knees, but in general I stuck to it week for week, bar a few injury moments. You have to believe that you have prepared and stick to it and put in the preparation. I think next time I will be more aware of when I am injured and rest more and seek

instead of sitting behind the fence sipping tea)But after I debriefed I found I was fascinated with the whole world of marathons, like how many people do it. How there were 35,000 runners with a single shared desire, how much of a spectacle the whole thing

training went fairly well, only interrupted by a two-week break due to the nasty 'flu bug in February. I decided to use the sub-3:30 Runner's World schedule to a fashion and it worked well for me. With some more help from my local club, Winchester

and cheering us on. I took the opportunity to throw my t-shirt in their general direction as I'd been carrying it from the start, over the fast runners who were on their final few miles, running in the opposite direction. We were yet to do the Isle of Dogs

holding red and green balloons on a stick - I even had time to kiss my daughter, Freya, at six miles.The best thing was finding the Runner's World 10-minute mile pacer. I stuck with her for 20 miles, and this helped me enormously. But then I hit the wall

their 22-mile marker on the other side of the road.14, 15, 16 miles and we are still going strong with a never ending chorus of cheering and support from the thousands of spectators lining the route.17 miles and there are the signs for the Runner’s World