The marathon is now done and some disappointment left out there. I had a struggle from the start - pain in my TAs after 1km. This has happened before, but usually sorts itself out after 3 or 4km. This time it was 7km before it eased. By the time I got to 5km, the tightening had caused me to start dragging my right leg. I was not sure how I could keep going for 42km. Luckily by 7.5km it began to ease, but by then I'd lost momentum and a lot of energy just trying to work through it. I kept going okay until 23km and then began to struggle. I did manage to keep myself reasonably focused and to keep running until 33km, then I just had nothing left. Too hard to struggle from the start. David (Sugar) was waiting for me at 33km and he walked with me as I battled pain, exhaustion and mental demons. Then Gary and Geraldine came past and buoyed me up with a, come along, we're just shuffling back. I kept going with them for 2 1/2km more, then had to stop for another short break (2 minutes of walking), then more running, walking, running, walking. I finished running getting up to a cracking 6.30 min KM in the last KM! It was a terribly tough day, but I'm pleased I persevered. Sugar was a champ, I don't know how I would have done it without him. The supporters were amazing. A special thanks to Wendy and co. who yelled and cajouled me at Mends Street. They got me going to the finish!

A few things went wrong. The biggest was the dog accident - once my back got injured I just couldn't keep the speed training going. I could no longer do tempos, intervals, etc. and I lost a lot of momentum with that. The other is I think I'm really a less is more girl when it comes to distance running. I must remember this for the future and stick to 3 or 4 longer runs and keep them to 34km maximum. Much though I loved the 38km it took way too much out of me, and if I really want to do something like that again, it has to be 6 weeks or more out, with an easy 25km to follow the week after. Rest is as important as training. I will worry about more quality and less quantity. I think I need to go back to Monday tempos, which I was doing before my last marathon. That meant I could do a marathon-pace long run during the week (14-16km), which I think worked to get me used to the pace. It's all a learning experience and I don't regret anything about the training (dog accident aside). The best part was preparing with my friends for this and watching them do so well at the marathon.

I'm so happy Trish got her sub 4 hour. She so deserved this and has worked so hard for it. Kate will be next, I know. Whether I do a sub 4 or not, who knows; it doesn't really matter that much. I just want to make sure I cope better with future marathons, and next time aim for a more conservative goal - maybe a sub 4.15 :)