-prepared, having trained for six weeks. I used the Runner’s World emergency schedules which were excellent. But work pressures and a nasty cold cut into this last-minute attempt at training. I feared for my life as I stood at the back of pen nine at Blackheath! I

patches. Meeting up before, during and after the race all added to the party atmosphere.I was badly affected by cramp from miles 20 to 23, probably not helped by my injury-restricted training over the last 8 weeks. At one point I stopped to stretch against

them.Thank you all for your support, your training logs, and the runners forums where we can all pat each other's backs.Bring on 2006. Wendi, 4:58Three years ago, if anyone said I would ever run a marathon I would have laughed and laughed... So I am