endlessly, but it's the nearby rhino they love - we try to shake him off, only to find the occupant is superhuman, cracking out the miles at will. All is well at 16 miles, the rhino has been overcome, and my heart races as I spot the family - only for them

is calling everyone to get to the starting pens ready for the start, the excitement has taken over from the nerves and as I look around I know it's going to be a good day for the race.9.45am and we're off. Well, it's a slow shuffle as those in the first

to be getting new trainers for the race.Q. I stopped running for a couple of months as I was getting lots of little injuries followed by a torn hamstring in the latter half of last year. I've just started again and I’ve done a few five-milers. My knees hurts

not on camera!).Other memorable moments: getting a hug and a kiss from the BBC's Sue Thearle as we tried to calm our nerves at the green start. Gordon Ramsay 'pushing' past me at three miles. Running past Cutty Sark, over Tower Bridge and the last three miles

and the Girls from Eims all of whom kept my pace up for a good stretch of the race. Looking forward to next time ?!?!?!?!?!?Supe, 4:31My first marathon, and a fantastic one to start with.Training was going really well until 7th March when I got a knee injury

, it is likely to be due to the intensity or nerves. This may affect your stomach emptying rate and blood flow to digestion tract.Make sure you are not eating too much, or too soon, or too little before a race. Try and eat your main meal three to four hours

was elevated. At the time both Richard and I tried to remain positive, and hoped it was nothing but nerves.However, even in the first five miles Richard was not feeling on form and he struggled throughout the race.Despite having some massive lows and tough

UPDATE: We had an amazing response to our Inspired To Run competition, launched in the summer by RW along with Reebok and two of our sister magazines.Among the stories you sent us were tales of first-time marathons, extraordinary race day

't stuck it through. Ohuruogo said she was still not totally happy with her run, despite the result: "I didn't run it as I should have. I don't know whether it was nerves, but my coach and I had a race plan and I was a bit behind. I was thinking I'd settle

. See full threadPre-race nervesMichelle Crick - There is a bit of a competive feel in the air but it was so exciting - I can't wait to be fit enough to run again this year. The thing I found was that there were so many people there different shapes