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April 19th: OMG! What a brutal experience! It was soooo much harder than I thought it would be! The first 15 miles went swimmingly - we felt strong, confident, easy and on target for our 4 hours 45 mins. Miles 15 to 20 were fine although I felt worse than I had at the end of our 20 mile training run, and my watch certainly wasn't saying 3 hours 35mins either!!

 Then at about 21 miles I suddenly felt like I had been hit by a bus and was wading through a sea of treacle with tonne weights attached to my legs! I threw up in the gutter at 23 miles (very embarassing) then wandered the streets of London for a while a bit like a zombie! Not sure whether it was the heat and dehydration, the revolting gels we were consuming for energy, the pain in my legs, the horror of seeing people lying around in various stages of collapse, the emotions of the day or a bit of everything!

Round about that time I had two fairly incoherent motivational chats with Jack Gammon( ironman triathlete colleague) and Gerry (brother in law and ex army physical training instructor). Having failed to convince either of them that I should take refuge in an ambulance or the gutter, I decided to carry on!!

All I remember about the final 3 miles was the incredible noise and support from the crowds, the poor girl we helped along who eventually collapsed on The Mall, and Henry and Georgie calling to find out where I was!!! Eventually I was passing them in the stands and the finish line 5 1/2 hrs on - apparently with a smile on my face!

Times for the rest of our team: Charles 4 1/2 hrs, Bev 5 hrs, and  Jo 5 1/4 hrs. Team fundraising currently almost at £10,000!!!   

Reflection two days on- I did need the inspiration of our Lucy to get me over the finishing line. I did run in honour of her and with her. I ran to raise money for an amazing charity that makes such a huge difference to the lives of so many families across the Midlands.

 It was an enlightening experience which once again showed me the strength of the human spirit. It took us all much longer than we thought it would. In order to have run it slightly less traumatically than I did, I should have concentrated on drinking more water in the heat, and run even more cold dark winter miles along the canals of Warwickshire!! 

The moral of this story is ' Never underestimate a marathon' and 'Never believe that those elite runners you see on TV are the same species as the rest of us!'  

The whole thing has been such an emotional experience - I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of so many. Our darling Lucy made a real impact on everyone she met during her short life. I am so proud to be able to say that she still does – this fundraising effort by you all is her legacy. You are all wonderful.           

Off line donations have also been received from Larry and Ced (Charlie's parents), Helen Pires (one of my book club girlies), Nicky  Pither (Lucy's wonderful physio!), Jack Gammon (inspirational ironman and drum teacher at my school!), Jeanette, Lester and Marlene (Lucy's taxi escorts), Rachel, Millie and Mark (in Priors Marston), Roderick Clark, Arnold Lodge School where I work (from a collection made during a carol concert, as well as tuck shop takings kindly donated by Mark Lloyd Miller). I also need to mention money raised at my friend Jan Roberts' coffee morning (through the sale of gorgeous scarves knitted by my liitle sis Lou!) and last but not least - money raised in the staff room at Arnold Lodge through the sale of homemade cards kindly sent by Mavis Morris (my friend Julie's mum) all the way from Newquay! 

I hope to raise a large amount of money for Acorns. They played a huge part in making Piglet's life as happy as it was and supported us all in so many ways. Please do continue to donate to them.      

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So please please donate now. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Helen x