So here I am, racked with pain but ecstatic that I completed the marathon yesterday.I am a little upset that I don't have to wear my pack anymore , as it feels like saying goodbye to an old friend. To those who are not aware of my charity run, I shall briefly explain again here. A few months ago I found out I had been successful in my marathon application, so I thought I would raise some cash for charity while I was training.I picked survivors uk, a charity that helps men normalize their lives after being sexually assaulted or raped as an adult or child. I picked this charity because I was shocked, and ashamed to say recoiled in horror when reading about it.That is when I realised they probably needed more fundraisers than the many kids charities etc you usually see at the marathon. When I was asked by the other runners why I was carrying a 35lb pack, I explained it was to help male rape victims, and I saw for myself the same face I must have first made. I saw the face of disgust staring back at me, and heard the nervous voices of people ,who not quite sure what to say usually just mumbled 'good luck' in semi-shock. The event itself was amazing, never before have I witnessed such valour and unity from people.Whole communities lined the street from start to finish and it was a constant reminder of how our society is still as British as it was during WWII.People of all creeds with their own cultures standing shoulder to shoulder with each other, each one a brick in the wall of glorious hope that stretched not only for miles, but will be forever resplendent in my memories and hopefully many others. If it were not for all the men ,women and children that gave up the day to spur people on, many would have fallen prey to the unforgiving heat that beat down throughout the whole run, and I would not have been surprised to see the bleached bones of a cow by the side of the road reminiscent of the ones in westerns as the hero stumbles through the desert. Everyone that day to me was a hero, stumbling toward a collective goal.Be it to finish quickly, or to raise money, or simply to just say , I was there and I did it! Thanks to all who sponsored me , and for those who have not, you can still donate online until the 22nd of june at http://www.justgiving.com/35lbsover26miles My official time was 5hrs 7mins and 33secs For all or any serving or ex-houshold divison you will be please to know I overtook the Parachute regiment entrants at mile 8 and they ate my dust from thereon. Happy St.Georges day everyone