Belfast last year in 3:11, but did not really do the full training. This year I followed the sub 3hr schedule and felt really confident that I could break 3hrs. I ran 2:51, so can I say a big thank you to Runner’s World for getting me there. One

3:00 TO 4:00 (Page 4) Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 --MattyH, 3:16:14How to do your first marathon: Do the Flora London Marathon, on its 25th anniversary - the best race in the world. Ten days before the race, buy a new pair of running shoes

further. Around the nine-mile point, my old knee injury started to give me some worrying signs and I started to panic, thinking I may have to travel another 17 miles at walking speed. With this in mind I stopped, stretched a little, gathered my composure

4:00 TO 5:00 (Page 12) Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15Susan Brown, 4:02 --This was my second FLM and I thought I could not replicate the emotions and pain I had felt the first time - but it proved me wrong.I find this event

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 muscle starting

did notice was how well the whole event was organised from start to finish. I can see now why it is the best marathon in the world.Beanz52, 6:32:28Best moment? Meeting the forumites at mile 17 – I’m not sure how I'd have got that far without them