and was never in my stride. I didn’t get a chance to stride out until things got wider and more spread out and that was only in the last couple of miles. I suppose that enabled me to give up on the stress of a target time and prevented me from hitting the wall

stride. I didn’t get a chance to stride out until things got wider and more spread out and that was only in the last couple of miles. I suppose that enabled me to give up on the stress of a target time and prevented me from hitting the wall.Secret weapon

the Highway the lead group of elite men came past on the other side having done 22 miles. They got a huge round of applause from the runners alongside me and it reminded me that I was taking part in the same event as them. Fantastic.Worst moment: my calf

event and it still chokes me.I was expecting my best moment to be running down the Mall, but to be honest when I got there I really couldn't care less!The best bits by far for me were the starting line (knowing that I was part of the best marathon

at the Greenwich start meant I simply couldn't get into my stride. I got a sun tan, though! Maybe next year I'll get there earlier and get nearer the front, a great learning experience for the future.A truly great day, not only for me, but for my family and friends

of the event. As we waited for the lead lady to arrive there was a real atmosphere of anticipation and necks craned round every time a policeman on a bicycle came past or - even better - marshals on a motorbike. There were almost constant comments of "where

as the leading men's pack passed in the other direction. It's not often we midpack runners see top athletes in full stride in a race.The worst moment? Getting cramp in both thighs and both calves at exactly the same time at mile 22. I had to stop and stretch