******Result: Caroline 1, London Marathon, Nil!
 
Update: Well... it's all done. The London Marathon 2010 is now a distant memory... well, if you look at my feet, perhaps not such a distant memory.. What a day. Fantastic and awful in equal measures. Who knew that 26.2 miles was so far? Not me, that's for sure! But the overiding memory is one of joy and achievement.
 
The day began with saying goodbye to Richard, Jamie, Juliet & Lara at 9.00a.m. on Sunday morning..promising to not come back without a medal (and them reminding me they'd already got one, thanks guys!).... Starting in Greenwich Park in the pouring rain, then on through the humidity to Cutty Sark, then the blazing sunshine to Mudchute and Docklands. It was 4 seasons in one day and coming back along the Embankment to the support of the crowds is a feeling I will never forget.
 
Seeing the Smithies, the Crawfords, the Bedfords and of course Max and Madeleine along the way... much more than once, well done guys! Seeing work colleagues who'd made the effort to come out. Seeing Jamie, Juliet & Lara, with Juliet's fantastic sign popping up everywhere(!), Jane Blanc Tete and Lynsey and boys in Docklands, waiting for hours (sorry guys!).  The Runners World supporters at Mile 17. Amazing.
 
Then after almost 6 hours after starting, looking up at St. Thomas's hospital at Westminster, where my mum went many times for much of her pain relief treatment. St. Thomas' were wonderful to us, and that sight brought a tear to my eye, a lump in my throat, and even more determination to carry on.
 
Finally turning the corner into Birdcage Walk, to spot Jane, my Mother In Law, waving and crying her eyes out (I think she was worried I may have been a casualty), and making a random guy shout out my name with her in case I didn't see her! I've promised not to put her through it again but I had my fingers crossed..
 
Then the end... Crossing the finish line, in 6hrs and 26 mins. A long time I know, and 27 minutes more than I'd hoped, but a fantastic achievement. Months and months of training, and it's all over in one day.
 
Was it worth it? Well of course.. you only have to look at this page to see how many people have donated, and how much has been raised... I originally gave the Hospice an estimate of £2,000 that I thought I would raise.. look at it now, almost doubled and still rising. So many runners, most running for causes dear to them. Most having lost loved ones, or helping others cope with illness or disability. Many running with disabilities themselves.
 
High Points:
Seeing all my friends and family along the way
Gang of blokes outside a pub in docklands singing "Sweet Caroline" as I ran past.
Overtaking the Angel of The North
Seeing Tower Bridge appear out of nowhere
Passing my first Rhino
Realising after 18 miles that I WAS going to finish after all
 
Low Points
Starting and realising that I actually had to do it
Being overtaken by 4 more rhinos, a smurf and a pasty
Toenail detachment at Mile 13
The guy at 9 miles saying "keep it up, you're nearly there" (I'm NOT, am I!)
Richard making me carry a bag of books home
 
So; the result - I am now a marathoner! A slow one, yes. But a marathoner none the less. And I can still walk. Would I do it again? Yes, in a second. Well, maybe a bit longer than a second, probably 6hrs longers than a second, but you get what I mean.. To next time. In memory of my mum, Frances, who never gave up, and on behalf of Harris Hospice who are helping people like her right now, THANK YOU ALL
 
PS: Special Thanks to:
Richard, for making marathon training easy (and making me realise how hard I'd made it for you. Sorry!)
Jane & Trev, Kate and Sam, for being so supportive, and looking after the children whenever we needed
Max and Madeleine, for being proud
Richard & Sue, for their wonderful donation
 
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http://www.justgiving.com/Caroline-Bedford
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Update: Friday 23rd April... well, it's not long now. To quote my daughter, only 'two more sleeps' until the marathon! And the forecast is billing it as the 'hottest day of the year so far'. Excellent. Mind you, I've never believed the forecasters before, so I guess I shouldn't start now.

The last two weeks have been odd; 'tapering', where you cut back on the amount of training you have been doing, feels like studying for an exam and then putting the books away two weeks before you sit it.  I just have to trust that the  months of training I have done have been enough.. building up from 3 miles runs, to 20 miles up and down the streets of Romford, Hornchurch and Upminster. I'm sure the guys from the HandWash CarWash at Gallows Corner are going to miss seeing me plod past three or four times every Saturday!

In all honesty, the training has been a priviledge; I've loved it and dreaded it in equal measures; my mum loved watching the marathon, and if she had known I was running, she would have been so proud. I'm sure she'll be looking down on the day, spurring me on, (and possibly telling me to brush my hair!). She would also have told everyone that I was likely to be up with the Elite women, and then wondering why it took me another 3 hours to finish... 

If there's anything my mum taught me, it's to enjoy life and live for the moment, but also to look after others.

So, if you're reading this page, then you've already donated or are perhaps considering donating. If I can tempt you to, please do. Harris Hospice is in need of every penny it can get to provide practical and emotional care and support to people at the end of their lives, and they do the most wonderful job.

Most of all, thank you for taking the time to read my page

Caroline x