I did it!!!

I have walked 26.2 miles :-D SO so chuffed. Raised £374 for charity too (so far). Fantastic night, great fun (and yes, if you're the lady I spoke to at Salisbury station on the way home, I DID enjoy it, and I suspect you did too, even if it was just a little bit!).

Start was chaos - just so many people, couldn't get the pace up at all. And then there were the roads to cross. Yep, traffic still running free despite 15,000 people in pink hats walking the streets. It was all well marshalled, and there was police presence on the busier junctions, but it just took So Long. Pavements v narrow in places too. That and a wee stop meant the first half took us the best part of 5 hours. I'm just not used to walking with people! Had been hoping for 4mph the whole way, so finishing in just over 6.5 hours, but the congestion and the traffic etc. meant it took much longer. Pretty sure I could have done it in that time had I had the streets to myself though ;-) London is so much flatter than the Forest!

It thinned out around the 13 mile mark (heading over the bridge toward Battersea Park), which is where we saw one of the odder sights - a couple of chaps who'd clearly had a good night were proffering their bottle of Courvoisier at everyone striding past. I declined - could do with it now though, medicinal purposes you understand ;-). L and I decided to split up at this point, I felt bad for abandoning her but I also thought that if I didn't go for it then I might not make it at all!

In the park I was graciously bowed at by a Buddhist monk on his way to the Peace Pagoda, though according to that blurb he was late, because the sun was well up by then!

Second half took me abour 3 and a quarter hours, so much better paced (and included a loo stop!). Best mile was between 19 and 20 - shocked myself and managed it in 12 minutes :-O Felt more comfortable too, and finally able to abandon the plastic mac as I warmed up. Didn't completely take my hoody off until mile 23 though, just wasn't quite warm enough.

The marshalls were a fantastic bunch, really cheering us on. Plus locals and friends/family cheering even for folk they didn't know, really buoyed you along. The atmosphere was great.

Having been to London many many times in the past (walked past both universities where I'd attended numerous lectures/courses!), I hadn't really seen it at night. Well not all night anyway - it just doesn't go to bed! Somewhere there was a transition between people on there way home from nights out and people getting up and starting their days, but it was pretty seamless. There were people around all the time.

Favourite moments included looking back down the river just as the sun as coming up, around 4.30. Just beautiful. You nearly got that photo today, but I preferred to use this one which is my other favourite moment - having just crossed the line and got my medal :-D

Could not stop walking when I got back, my body just wouldn't let me! I was watching the marathon a few weeks ago and wondered why the runners didn't just slow down/stop/crumple into a heap as soon as they crossed the line, now I know! Collected my bag, sorted my stuff out then headed for the exit. I just walked. Had no real idea of where I was. Asked somebody which Tube I needed for Waterloo and he pointed me to Hyde Park Corner, best part of a mile away. As it turned out, I could have used the (much nearer!) Green Park, because I had to change there anyway. Ah well, am sure the walk did me good (!) - stairs at Green Park were torture though!

Must confess to heading straight to McDonalds at Waterloo for a much-needed sausage and egg mcmuffin and a bucket of tea (3 sugars, *blush*). Hopped on the train around 10 - nice to sit down! Proper squishy comfy seat, bliss. Fab to see the boys at the station when I got back, was less than 24 hours but felt much longer!
Home for a long soak (which I had to abandon because I nearly fell asleep), then a kip. TPD made a gorgeous roast pork dinner (proper crackling too!). He bought a celebratory bottle of fizz but I just can't quite face it yet. Does Not Compute!

Boys have been bathed and are in bed, and I can tell you I won't be very far behind them. Just got to negotiate the stairs first...