Time: 4:22Aged 61 and running for only 15 months. Had a wonderful day achieving my target of 4hr 22min exactly on target thanks to Steven, our 10 min/mile pacer. Success due to following RW 9min/mile training programe but having enough sense

to concentrate on the taper, I am peaking too early and then losing it in the taper. Maybe two weeks walking around Disney getting up early and going to bed late, and only doing two 5 mile runs in the middle, plus a spot of jet lag was not the ideal taper

21 where I really started to run out of steam and had to stop to stretch my left quad and miles 25 which I am convinced was much longer than a mile.  I was beginning to think they had forgeotten to put up the last mile markers... My goal time was 4

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

Time not givenThe rain couldn't dampen my spirits! I loved running in fancy dress, the support from the crowd was amazing. There were shouts for Red Indians and Pocahontas all the way round and I had a fabulous day. Time was not an issue, we were

, and how I managed to run the courseexactly as Runners World described on the websiteGoal-to finish under 4 hours. Finishing time of 3 hours and 41 minutes!Differences-none-it couldn't have gone any better for my first marathon!Celebration-A shed load

my sister & daughter in the crowd (seperately) & hearing my daughter's excited cries of MUM! Being passed early on by a chap in green thong covered in body paint as Tarzan & passing later a bloke running with a wooden box around his groin with Roy

.54.15 and 1.54.02. Big thanks to them both for what is a difficult job, especially in the second half when the masses in front are slowing. Have to say that I really enjoyed and benefitted from having a group to run in, although I wasn't able to be very

had spotted the Action Photo camera man and I started frantically waving and grinning, desperate for a good shot during the run to show family and friends. I soon realised it was actually a speed camera and not a photographer. Oops.Goal was 4 hours

pacing before next time, but all in all I'm glad I did it and the medal has pride of place next to my GNR medal from last year. I have only been running 1 year so I have scope to improve and I will with the help of Runner's World!Index of all quotes