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Well, that's it then!  They're both done!!

I'd really like to thank all of you for your really kind donations.  I'm amazed by the amount that's gone into the account!

Let me give you a resume of the 'runs'!

Paris started really well.  A gloriously sunny day, yet with a cool breeze saw us off quite early.  The early pace was good and I felt really comfortable.  Approaching half way I was passed by the 4hr 15m pacers.  I was aiming for somewhere near to 5 hours having not done nearly enough training as I should have.  With them passing me I started to think I might make it somewhere nearer to the 4.45 time. 

Thoughts like that were soon dashed as the undulating course through the tunnels alongside the Seine took their toll.

At 3/4 way round I was passed by the 4hr30m pacers and starting to fade.  The support around the course which had been sporadic disappeared as we entered the Bois de Bologne.  Sadly I was too busy trying to knock 'The wall' down to appreciate any of the views at this point!

At 38km the 5hr pacers went past.  I tried desperately to keep up.  After all, it was only a 5km run at this point.  But to no good.  I stopped for some wine and cake as well as a photo!  Well, when in Rome ...  only we weren't! 

I rounded the final roundabout and started winding up for the sprint finish.  I watched the DVD of the finish a few days later.  I think a tortoise would have been ashamed of that 'sprint'!!  But it was finished. 

Wonderful thought flooded my head, stumbling along through the medal givers and numerous tents looking for food.  Any food, it didn't matter!  I found a burger / sausage stall and eagerly orderd a sausage in a bagette with vegetables.  However, two bites of the sausage had me gagging.  Was it just cold or simply not cooked?   Sadly on the second mouthful I realised it was the latter.  Raw sausage or not I wasn't THAT hungry!!!

Later that evening I met with some friends in an Irish pub and several pints of Guiness.  Yes, we were back to the theme of ... when in Rome...!!

But what a fantastic fun fiklled enjoyable weekend that was!  Not even the bursitis and blisters could dampen my mood! 

So, on to London!

No training whatsoever between the end of Paris and the start of London!  What a mistake to make!

With temperatures predicted to be in the mid 20's centigrade london was going to be hot!  So what was happening at the start?  Rain?  Surely not!  Not even an old tracksuit could keep me warm!

Before long people were shedding their excess clothes and everyone began shuffling forwards.  The, sure enough, the gun sounded and we ... continued to shuffle forwards and getting into a slow jog.  Everyone jostling for space, and that was the problem.  With no space I tripped on a discarded sweatshirt and twisted my knee.  I hadn't even crossed the start line!

I took it gently down the hill from Greenwich park.  But approaching Cutty Sark i realised I was already in trouble.  Not especially from the knee or the bursitis that had re-occurred.  This was worse.  There didn't feel like there was any energy in my legs.  Gels and energy bars that were going to be saved till the 10 mile mark were soon consumed.  By ten miles all the gels and bars had gone and I was still flagging.  A text ahead to my support for neurofen and lots of it were sent! 

Richard Branson was running alongside me from 11 to 13 miles.  How depressing was that?!!

Most of the rest of the run was done with head down looking at my feet willing one to shuffle infront of the other.  Neurofen at 17 miles saw me to the finish in a poor 5hr 18m.  Tired and aching I made my exit through Admiralty Arch.  That was seriously the hardest thing I've ever done. 

I won't ever do another one.  Without doing the necessary training before hand!  A hard lesson to learn.  The thought of all the money going into this worthy charity was a good one though.

What's next?  I'm not completely sure.  I quite fancy the Commando Challenge, or maybe another European marathon.   At the back of my mind there's the 'Tough Guy' or 'The Vitruvian' in 2011.  Who knows, but I'll keep you posted!

Thanks again for all the money you've donated.  It meant a huge amount to me and, I know, to those who've lost someone to this dreadful disease.

Thanks

Dave