. The weather was something else, the organisation top class and the people around the course tremendous. I barged into an officials tent after the race, where the staff was very kind to let me just recover beside the heater. Recovery took about an hour, so I am

3:00 TO 4:00 (Page 6) Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 --David Williamson, 3:27My first marathon, three weeks before my 50th birthday! What a fantastic experience. The last two miles went so quickly with the crowds cheering.Worst moments

and shoulders.Dips, 4:50 This was my third London Marathon and although the recovery has been the best, the run was not. I suffered in the heat, so despite praying for a dry day, I found myself wishing for rain by 15 miles. Like Paula I suffered stomach cramps

3:00 TO 4:00 (Page 4) Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 --MattyH, 3:16:14How to do your first marathon: Do the Flora London Marathon, on its 25th anniversary - the best race in the world. Ten days before the race, buy a new pair of running shoes

seen one on TVPB's10K - 46.23Half-Marathon - 1.53Marathon - 4.21Favourite Races... Sprint tri then marathonSee my RW profileMy handy links • Mike's Amazing Cakes• RW's Q+As page --About meI started running after a "giving up smoking" attempt in 2001

marathon was just a bit off balance this time.How will you be celebrating? Went to the pub an hour after the race. Had three sips of Guinness, nearly fainted and promptly threw up the 'health bar' I got in the goodie bag and the tuna sandwich I'd prepared

in the whole wide world.I soaked up the atmosphere and the crowds to the end with a massive smile on my face. The shouts of "come on Higo" from complete strangers was just fantastic. Marathon running is an event where you can do exactly the same as the world

hours of the finish. It made my recovery so much easier.To have that medal at the age of 66 was fantastic, and I have had people come up to me just wanting to touch it.If I did the marathon again next year, and at the moment I do not think I will, I

4:00 TO 5:00 (Page 8) Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15Mad Moo, 4:14I was a marathon virgin, a bit old as I am nearly 40. On race day I got up in a mad panic, looked at the alarm clock - past five o'clock and we were late

sneaks us in to the Novotel Greenwich (with en-suite marathon).At the start we split into two pens, we're in pen 8, but are joined by mates from pen 9 by the time I've finished rearranging socks and laces. In the first three miles the crowds shout