You give a little love...

So its all over, the London Marathon was completed in 4 hours 28 minutes. I initially said under 4 hours, so that was achieved and given the heat its a time I am well proud of.

It was a really good experience, the first 6 or 7 miles just flew past, I had a big smile on my face as I ran through Greenwich, enjoying the support of the crowds, getting sprayed with holy water by vicars outside churches, it was ace.

After about 5 miles I ran past Jordan and Peter Andre, I gave Peter a high 5 and wished them well, and I was on my merry way. I don't know what happened to him, but I was running with someone dressed as 'the Stig' from top gear for a while. The music on my mp3 was great, so thanks to everyone who nominated a song. It was a surreal experience, running across tower bridge to 'ice, ice baby'.

I really enjoyed running through the docklands, as I used to work in South Quay and Canary Wharf and there was some great support, I think due to the many pubs around there.

It wasn't until about 20 miles when I started to feel the heat, but running through the showers really helped. Miles 22-24 were the hardest but once I got to 24 I knew I was going to make it. It's great approaching Westminster and the support you get is amazing and it is so inspirational. With about 400m to go I saw someone do a handstand and walk toward the line on his hands, I don't think he made it on his hands but a great effort nonetheless!

Once you get to Big Ben you know you are there, so you just have to keep on going, you get to St James park and then turn the corner and you can see the finish and I had a mixed emotion of wanting it to be over and not wanting it to be over, and pride that I had made it. And then chatting to the other runners and congratulating them, getting my medal and then meeting up with Kim from the FSI at the meet and greet area.

I want to say a big thank you to all my supporters, the FSI girls, Gemma, my Mum and Dad and especially to Rob and Erin, who saw me three times and got me home afterwards.

Another big thank you to everyone who sponsored me, the total is somewhere up near £2,400 when you add on gift aid, so a cracking effort.

So this is it, no more running, no more blog, I know that at times this has been dark and introspective, but I also hope that it's been funny at times and perhaps a little bit inspirational.

Everything I know was learned from films made in the 70's and 80's so I will leave you with a couple of pearls of wisdom that hold sway with me right now:
The 1st song on my mp3 was the theme tune from Back to the Future, so in the words of Marty McFly "If you put your mind to it you can accomplish anything"

And from Bugsy Malone' "You give a little love and it all comes back to you (na na na na-na-na-na) Your gonna be remembered for the things that you say and do"