What a day. I was a bit iffy health wise before the race and I hadn't done as much training as I would have liked for that reason, but I was determined to do it. Here is how it went.....

I am woken at 5.50am by The Mother and she tries to get me to eat some breakfast. I know I should, but don't have much appetite at that time of the morning. The Mother wakes up The Sisters who are both hyper with excitement and we eventually set off for the bus stop. The Mother has not factored in Sunday morning services so we realise that a bus is not now an option. We switch to plan B and decide to walk to Kingston Station. 7.30am Sunday morning is not a time I am usually around and neither is anybody else by the look of it. The few people who are, give me strange looks as I warm up my muscles on the pavement kerb on the way. The Sisters continue to be annoyingly hyper and their noise levels are starting to upset my calm and focus.

Kingston Station is deserted, but gradually more and more runners filter in with their red kit bags (you put all your stuff in before the race and are given it back afterwards). I start to feel like this is really going to happen. On the train there is an atmosphere of camaraderie between the runners and there is a tension and excitement that is infectious. I feel slightly uneasy when I hear words like "planning" and "organisation" being banded about - is that really necessary? It is interesting to listen to their stories of routes, times and injuries but I start to worry when I hear that some people aim to run 26 miles in 3 hours - I aim aiming for 4 and a half hours. We all peel off the train and head for Waterloo East. We need to get to Maze Hill (is that even in London?) The Mother leads the way closely followed by The Sisters who are complaining they are hungry and cold. I try my best to blend in with the other runners. When the train arrives at the station there are hundreds of people who need to get on and with no other train indicated for a while, there is a slight feeling of panic in the air. The Mother decides that we need to get on the train "come what may" and suggests that I take Sister One and she would take Sister Two and we would force ourselves onto the train. We are successful but soon realise our mistake when Sister One starts screaming hysterically as she is unused to feeling like a sardine. Note to The Mother - don't try that again.

We finally arrive at Maze Hill and make our way with the throng through Greenwich Park. I need to get to the Red Start which is for Golden Bond Charity runners. I am starting to feel excited and ready for the challenge. Sister One has calmed down and The Mother dishes out bananas and cereal bars to all. The atmosphere is amazing and I feel like I am in some parrallel universe surrounded by runners dressed up as Kate and Wills, Spiderman, Wonderwoman with a beard and a giant rhinocerous. The Sisters cheer up considerably and begin to think that this might be fun after all. After a while we reach a big sign which says NO SPECTATORS IN THE ASSEMBLY AREA. The Mother decides to ignore this in the interests of moral support and we press on to the Red Start. I am getting lots of unexpected warm up exercise as the park is quite hilly, but its all good. When we get to the start I do my serious warm ups, whilst The Mother and Sisters position themselves for my send off. I am now ready. The Mother takes some pictures, The Sisters give me embarrassing hugs and they all wish me luck. I make my way to the start. A few minutes later I realise I have given my iPod to The Mother who has now disappeared - disastrous. Miraculously I manage to find her again and retrieve it for the run (I couldn't possibly do it without the help of Metallica and Foo Fighters). I inform The Mother and Sisters that they are standing in completely the wrong position to wave me off.

Its 9.45 - off we go. It isn't easy and I hit the wall at 20 miles, but manage to get over it thanks to my secret weapon the Jelly Beans (cheers for the tip Mrs Household). The crowd are amazing and make us feel we are all doing something very special - I think I am going to make it. The Mother and Sisters catch me at miles 12 and 25 (The Sisters have managed to climb on top of the barriers and are manically waving their banners) and The Girlfriend and Friends are also there to cheer me on. Time seems to pass quickly and suddenly I have finished the race. I have done it............ (5hrs4mins51secs). I feel emotional and a bit proud of myself as I limp off (I can't walk by this stage). I collect my medal and make my way to the St John's HQ to recover. Would I do it again next year? Wild horses wouldn't stop me. Now all I need to do is to persuade all those people who have promised to sponsor me...............