bottles of beer, 3 chickens and Elvis.Goal - To finish (which I managed in 4:06:34)Key to success - Long Sunday morning runs organised by my running club, Worcester Joggers. Respect to Stuart and Alan. I wouldn't have done it without their help

Time not givenIt was my first marathon, aged 40 plus, and I only started running 2 years ago. I trained so hard and nearly gave up once or twice as I trained on my own and I began to hate Sundays for the long run. But I persevered and the main thing

legs just couldn't go any faster!Q: What was your goal? And what was your finishing time? A: My goal was sub 4 hours and I got 3:56:55 Yessss!Q: What would you do differently? And indeed what was the key to your success? A: Do more long runs and stick

.My goal was to finish in around four hours. I hoped to just get under but didn't succeed, recording 4.09.29 - still pretty pleased.I'll definitely be doing another marathon and would increase and vary my training more. I did the long runs required but only

running background I've been able to increase my running speed whilst getting by on one long run and smaller run per week. Swimming has been the most technical aspect of training, and after stripping everything down I'm now pretty confident in the water

Mile 18 supporterDecided to go to mile 18 and watch the race this year and I'm glad I did.  Spectating, thanks to Meerkat, was brilliant.  Have never seen the race from that perspective and although I was itching to get out there and run I really

on Embankment - very emotional - I was nearly there and knew I was going to do it! Hardest time - between 20 and 22! Slowed down - seems a long way but determined not to stop. Thought about the reason I was running - for my best friend Liz, who died of breast

't think I had a worst moment, but crossing the cobbles under Tower Bridge hurt a bit (well quite a lot actually). Was gutted I missed Johnny! I just wanted to get round and run all they way, even better if i could get round in sub 4.30, but what I secretly

"official" supporters Shambler and Dr Nic plus the lovely LongDistanceBadger!  Also great to see TwoDogs! Great day ending with a personal best of 4hrs 30mins (13min improvement over two years ago). Rain was excellent running conditions.  I "blew up

to the rhythm of your feet. It had been a long and bumpy road to this point. The original plan had been for me to pace Mrs CH to a sub-4.30 so she could announce her retirement from marathon running, but four weeks of illness had long since scuppered that