at Canary Wharf and Buckingham Palace. The Best Bits The crowds shouting my name; kids handing out Jelly Babies (mmmm); seeing my 13-month-old son at Mile 13; hugging my wife at the finish; massage at the charity reception (Macmillan - awesome); champagne

fantastic time! I interacted with the crowds, stopped and chatted, high-fived the kids - it was such a festival atmosphere I never, ever expected to enjoy it so much. I got round in 5:59.45, but that was fine, because I'd enjoyed my best day since my

myself run is to put my kit on as soon as I get up. Even if I don’t intend to run until my youngest is at playschool, I know that once I’m in my gear, I won’t have an excuse not to.When you have two kids asking for another story, it’s hard. But as soon

– and Mrs DD and I need that to remain sane. (Best feeling in the world? Crossing the finish line of a marathon with your kids in your arms.) – Dubai DaveI didn't run when STS Jr was born. She's now six, and getting time to myself can still be awkward

...).Come race morning, I had breakfast a little later than planned - a minor detail quite possibly, but not ideal for someone who had planned race day down to a tee (not just for me but for my OH and kids too). Setting off for the start was awe-inspiring - a sea

this plan for an hour. By alternating effort and rest, I had one of the most enjoyable runs of my life. And it was a great work-out.I asked this friend how he came up with the plan. “I first did it when I was a kid,” he answered. As a child, the joy for him

in a white stetson and a pink ’63 Cadillac Eldorado. I expect they’d taken their kids to the seaside for the day. Under different circumstances, a passing trade of 30,000 might have seemed quite attractive – but I, for one, couldn’t have done justice

to skip up as a kid, I let Oscar off the lead. He grinned at me as if to say You must be bloody mad! and launched himself back down the hill. He’d clocked a half-eaten sausage outside a tent on the beach, and the image had etched itself indelibly upon

shrews in Oxfordshire.Running for money gives you a peculiar insight into human motivation. If you want to raise an absolute mountain of cash, pick a kids’ charity. It’s a cinch – anyone who doesn’t sponsor you is publicly vilified as a heartless, baby

. At the Marine Corps Marathon one year, I almost finished in the top 15,000 runners. I would have, but I went out too fast!As I enter my 10th year as a runner, I have to admit that I’m no longer the new kid on the block. I’ve had some wonderful races and some