Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Now that I am back in Guernsey clutching my (hard won) medal, I thought I would give you a bit of a "race report" on how it all went. As this was my first marathon, I didn't really know what to expect and I certainly wasn't really prepared for the huge crowds in Blackheath and Greenwich at the start. The organisation of the event is fantastic; even the queues for the loos were well managed and you could watch the giant screens while you waited so we got to cheer the wheelchair racers over the start line! I was in pen 7 at the red start and managed to manoeuvre myself close to the 10 min mile pacer, squished in with hundreds of others with the same plan!

When the gun went off it took about 15 minutes before we shuffled our way to the start line and then we could break into a jog. The first few miles went well and we all had great fun when the blue and red runners met up at around 3 miles when there was lots of shouting and singing! I stuck with the pacers all across Tower Bridge and  through 14 miles even though they were running at a little under 10 mm pace all the way. Around 15 miles things were getting a little tough; the weather, which had been forecast to be wet and windy was in fact sunny and warm and it was hard work concentrating on trying to run evenly without tripping over various obstacles strewn all over the road. I slowed down a little through the next 5 miles but not by much. At 19 miles I knew I was tiring and the pain in my quads really started to kick in. This is where I started to give myself a stern talking to....something along the lines of ...you knew this wasn't going to be easy, what did you expect?... don't let all your sponsors down, they have donated lots of money, so get on with it girl! The crowds were fantastic and kept shouting my name encouraging me to keep going.

Despite all the training and what I thought was a decent fueling and hydration plan, the last 6 or 7 miles were the most uncomfortable experience ever. I really was struggling to remember why I had once thought this was a good idea. I don't remember seeing Big Ben and thinking "great, only 1 more mile to go"; I don't actually remember seeing Big Ben at all! I just gritted my teeth and hoped it would soon be over! I do clearly remember seeing the 600 metres to go marker and thinking, I can do this, only one and a half laps of the Footes Lane track left.

It was a fantastic feeling to cross the finish line, and everyone around me was cheering and laughing and crying...some of them doing all three together! I think I remembered to smile for the overhead camera (we will soon find out!). I then joined another queue to receive my medal and get my goodie bag and finishers T shirt and then I eventually found Tony at the meet and greet area to receive a big cuddle!

Having laughed at the You Tube clip ("The Day after the Marathon" for those who have not seen it) I am now experiencing what that feels like. Suffice to say stairs are not my friend right now :-)

Thank you all once more for your support. You have managed to raise a fantastic sum and best of all, my firm, Saffery Champness, have agreed to apply the "X factor" and will match my fund raising total!

Overall this has been a great experience, one that I will remember always and I am proud to have been a part of the 2012 VLM. CLIC Sargent have been a brilliant support all the way through; it was lovely getting an encouraging text from them at 7am on race morning and it has been a huge amount of fun helping to raise funds for them.

Lorna x   (Old motto - never say never. New motto - never again?!) 

p.s. Finishing time 4 hours 39 minutes and 18 seconds!