I DID IT!!!

As most of you already know, I managed to complete the Flora London Marathon in 4:00:22, just missing out on breaking 4 hours. Whilst it is in my nature to never be satisfied with things, I have decided to make an exception in this case. 

The first 10 miles or so were fantastic for me, good pace, not aches etc. At about 12 or 13 miles my right knee was giving me all sorts of problems and by 18 I had to stop and sit down due to the pain. Fortunately it hurt more to walk than it did to run, so I decided to just run the rest of the race without resting. In actual fact the last 6 miles went very quickly, the crowds were amazing and really helped with their encouragement and jelly babies! I gave it absolutely everything in the last 3 miles in an effort to beat the 4 hour mark, but in the end it just wasn't to be.

So thank you to all of you who sponsored me and encouraged me since Christmas. I specifically want to thank my Mum & Dad, Alexa (my beautiful girlfriend) and also Sully, Ginners, Will, Fresher & Christina and also Tom and Jinny for coming to London to support me. It was a horrible day (weather wise) so thanks for braving the crowds to cheer me on.

The t-shirt I was given at the finish sums it all up really: Been there, done it & this is the t-shirt. 26.2 miles, impossible is nothing.

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Hello there, thanks for popping by! Please have a read of this blurb and then gimme some money!! Thanks...

Some background... As most of you know this is my first marathon, a few months ago when I received the acceptance letter I couldn't run a couple of miles without running out of energy! However, having been accepted, I am determined to give it my best effort and make some cash for a worthy cause at the same time!   

I mentioned last time that I had the privilege of attending Loughborough University , one of the finest sporting establishments in the . However being an engineer, the closest I got to the 400m track was a certain drunken late night incident with a Scouser which ended with me requiring three stiches in my left palm (don't ask).

The Charity... So why have I chosen Macmillan? My Grandfather (Roy) died of cancer in 2003. In his final months and weeks, I know that the Macmillan nurses were an enormous help to him and my parents (who were spending time with him). I am training and running in his memory and to say thank you to the Macmillan charity. Cancer touches everyone at some point in their lives and the Macmillan charity makes a real difference to both the patient and their family.

Money Money Money... So, please get your credit card out and donate some pennies to me! Donating through this site is simple and is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Macmillan Cancer Relief will receive your money faster and, if you are a taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So get your wallet out of your pocket, dust it off and gimme some cash!

Thank you so much for your support.

PS I just want also say thanks to a few people too. For sponsoring me offline, thanks to Jane (our cleaner), Bobby Mace and Alexa's Grandma and Grandpa. Also thanks to my cousin Little Ross and Lesley Dowds. For organising a dress down day at her work in the City, Zoë Hatch (I owe you dinner Zoë), and for getting her uni mates & family to sponsor me, my lovely girlfriend Alexa!  Of course all of those listed below can also consider themselves well and truly thanked!!