I am very pleased (and relieved) to report that I completed the Virgin London Marathon 2010 on Sunday! I completed the challenge that is 26.2 miles in 7 hours, 39 minutes and 53 seconds. Sunday was the best and worst day of my life rolled into one. It was an amazing day but one that was very emotionally charged. Nothing could have prepared me for the varying emotions I experienced on race day. The nerves set in as you stand in your "pen" waiting to cross that start line. It is quite a surreal experience when you look around at seasoned runners, novices, those in fancy dress and those with disabilities. The realisation hits you as the runners begin to approach the start line and you hear the cheering crowds. My legs went to jelly and I couldn't get them to work properly for what seemed like forever, but was actually only a few minutes. Once I crossed the start line surrounded by Rhinos, donkeys, firemen (that was nice!) and soldiers (to name a few) I got into my stride and thought "finally, we're off"!

Many people beforehand warned me not to get carried away and go off too quickly. I laughed at the time saying no chance, but it is easily done on the big day. You get swept away with the crowds and the relief that you are finally underway. I did get caught up and managed to do one of my fastest miles ever in the first few miles - 10 minute mile! At first I though WOO HOO and then I thought OH NO and slowed myself down slightly. I managed to run the first half of the Marathon with the help of various runners around me and the constant support of the crowd! I started to suffer once I crossed Tower Bridge (apologies Tania I couldn't stop to talk to you but thank you so much for supporting me). I reached the half way marker as Come on Elaine blared from The Sun's double decker bus! I picked up again as I saw all the runners out in front of me on the opposite side of the Highway coming back at mile 22. I even managed to catch a glimpse of Richard Branson as a butterfly and shout my support to him across the barrier. It then went through my head that I still had such a long way to go and at that moment desperately wanted to be on that side of the barrier with Mr Branson!!! No such luck though so I carried on, heading for the familiar sights of Canary Wharf.

At just past mile 16 I saw my Dad and was so relieved to see someone I knew I had another cry! I had a few on the day due to sheer exhaustion, exhilaration and the sheer wonderment at some people who run the London Marathon - their causes, what some achieve with various disabilities, etc. Dad spurred me on until I saw my dear friend Kelly, Nic, Tracey, Jamie and Christine - Ant and Jay had the cheek to go for a loo break and missed me bursting into tears yet again!!! I carried on out onto the Isle of Dogs and although it was only a few miles until mile 18, where I would see the rest of my friends and family, it seemed like an eternity. This was a very lonely and tough time (very quiet on this part of the route).

Super Peter came to find me at about mile 17 and kept me going to Dad and my dear friend Mark at just before Mile 18. They stayed with me until I could see the rest of my wonderful support group of my mum, sister, Seb, Christian, Vicki, Esme, Rafferty, George, Lisa, Lauren, Sebastian, and Paul! Another cry, some hugs, words of encouragement and a banana later and I was off again. It was with a mouthful of banana that I turned to see the gym crew on the opposite side of the road. Apologies for having a mouthful of banana gang but thank you for your support!

I then continued through a rather quiet rest of Canary Wharf seeing only my dear friend Paul waiting at mile 19 with another hug! Then went on the lonely route through to Poplar High Street and back onto the Highway. It was here that I have to thank my running buddy Tracy who got me through the next few miles until we made it to Embankment. The crowds were dwindling and the pain was well and truly there to stay! At mile 22 on the opposite side of the highway I saw some amazing people just reaching the half way marker - guys on skis, yes skis doing amazingly well, and a gentleman with Parkinson's disease showing no signs of stopping or giving up. I shouted my support to them and managed to find another burst of energy.

Throughout the route the shouts of Go Lou Lou were welcomed. The crowd definitely is a big factor in helping you reach the end of the 26.2 miles.

At mile 24 lovely Colette was waiting for me! She supported me to just before the finish with my dad, and I found enough energy to run the remaining 375 yards past my fan club again who I heard before I saw! This time AK did get to see me in all my glory! :o)

I was so relieved to get across that finish line I cannot tell you. To be handed the medal was something else! I was so pleased to have that medal finally in my possession. My amazing sister came to meet me with my beautiful god daughter, followed by the rest of my truly wonderful support team! If anyone needs any support in the future for a marathon or similar race then I am willing to rent mine out to you as you couldn't get any better! I couldn't have completed without every single one of their support so an especially big THANK YOU goes to all those named above. My sister put a huge amount of effort into the attire of my support team - t-shirts, headbands, trumpets - for which I am very grateful. Another big thank you also goes to my Irish lovelies who have supported me in the gym and outside with my training this past year - thank you Caroline, Stephanie and Valerie, you are my Irish angels! Another thank you to the two people at Citi's gym who kicked my training off to a brilliant start a year ago - Duncan and Lorraine. Without your continued support this past year I wouldn't be where I am now and I can't thank you enough for your constant words of encouragement (Lorraine) and your constant pushing me to do even more (Duncan and Lorraine) :o)

I am not giving up my running now that I have come this far but I won't be running 26.2 miles again in a hurry. I think I will focus on 10ks and half marathons going forward!

I will never forget the amazing experience I had on Sunday - all the highs and the lows, but especially the highs. There are some amazingly selfless people in this world that leave you truly humbled.