Time not givenThe thing that kept me going - the thought of a swim, a steam and a massage on Monday!Also Paula Radcliffe's tip of counting to 100 backwards.  If it works for her..... although I got through a lot more 100's than she probably does

number. Paula Radcliffe gave a talk at the Nike stand about her training and recovery schedules. She was signing copies of her book after her talk and I bought a copy which she signed. Paula also signed my running number ('Good Luck Bernard, Paula

here?" At last Paula Radcliffe came zooming past making it look easy. If we'd had a roof we'd have raised it with the racket we made cheering.Our job really started when the main bunch of runners arrived. The runners aiming for fast times were really

, George, Oscar and Charlie. (This may have had something to do with the family sweepstake to predict my time!)The runners, wow!... On the road with Wombles, Elvis, Steve Rider, laughing policemen, Simon Hughes MP, a rhino, Paula Radcliffe... (well I saw 6

were small and spread out to start with, but began to fill out as we neared Woolwich.I made good progress and soon was approaching the halfway stage. Someone phoned and informed us that Paula Radcliffe had just finished in 2:17 (she did set off earlier

're Paula Radcliffe and you start early and finish by 11....). As much breakfast as possible was eaten, despite nerves making the whole task quite difficult.So off we set on the DLR from our hotel at Excel, towards Greenwich. Half an hour or so on a crammed

-existent and only available to sportsmen of the highest order. And yet, Paula Radcliffe was about to start, and Sir Steve Redgrave was a few hundred yards away and about to race. This must be one of very few events where you actually compete against not only

where my children are members . Their support is immeasurable.When I was feeling exhausted and sore on Sunday, my hand would touch my running number and my thoughts turned to Paula Radcliffe. What a runner! My children and I met her at the Nike stand