I did it!!!!
The heat was ridiculous but I completed Edinburgh half marathon in 2h 17m 32s - my first so also a personal best! As well as that, my fantastic supporters have contributed more than £750 to Macmillan - I'm so proud!

The day was less than straightforward. The alarm didn't go off so we were a little late leaving home! The queue for the toilets before the race was almost as far as the race itself so I was still there when the race started! I wasn't the only one though and it made my start a whole lot easier. I didn't have to try to pace myself among a load of people running faster than me which was great.

My most embarrassing moment came within sight of the finishing line. I hit the 12 mile mark feeling pretty good so I upped the pace a wee bit. It was all going very well until I turned onto the plastic mats in the park. My feet went out from under me and I managed a spectacular forward roll ending up in a heap on the floor. At that point, my biggest worry was that someone might try to hang onto me until they made sure I was OK so I just got up as quickly as I could and ran the last 100m before anything else started to hurt! Instead of the high I'd been on at mile 12, I was an emotional wreck! Today, as well as the aching muscles, I have a bruised shoulder, scraped hip and a skinned knee - I wonder how many half marathon runners manage that!

Last week, all I wanted was for this to be over. After the race I was ready to sign up to do it again next year. This morning, all I want is to be able to walk without hurting!

What's next?

Watch this space!

Thanks for reading x

The end is in sight - well, the start anyway! I now have my number and my disposable plastic mac (fancy bin bag!) so all I have to do is turn up and run - easy!

Per the instructions, I've only been doing wee runs this week so I've had no major issues. I did overdo the dancing a bit on Saturday night though so the muscles probably haven't had as much rest as they should have done. At least I've got that excuse to fall back on if it all goes pear-shaped on Sunday!

I haven't quite managed my £50 per mile sponsorship target but I've broken the £600 so it's definitely been worth  all the effort.

See you on the other side!

X

Hello again!

Well, the knee support didn't manage 11 miles on Monday - I was a snivelling wreck by about 9.5 and had to walk the rest of the way! Not one to give up, I have now tried physio. I went to see Katie at MBody Perth and wish I had gone weeks ago! She worked her magic and I have run twelve miles today with no major knee issues. All of my other

If I ever say I'm going to run anything again, please stop me - this is turning into a complete saga!

I've been having a bit of knee trouble over the past few weeks but I set out for a ten miler (the furthest I've ever run) on Monday. My knee started to niggle after less than 2 miles but I figured I'd be OK as long as it didn't get any worse. By the time I turned to come home, the pain was so bad that I considered phoning for a lift but I didn't want to look like a wimp. By the time I was half a mile from home (still running) I was in such a state that I was hoping not to meet anyone I knew in case I cried. I hobbled home from there then sat on the stairs and cried for ten minutes!

Anyway, onwards and upwards. Since then I have purchased a knee support and more ibuprofen and today's run (3.5 miles) went very well. The pain has gone and now I think I'm invincible! Derek tells me the best way to help your muscles recover is to get into a cold bath as soon as possible so I've promised to try that after my next long run. I'm planning eleven miles on Monday so listen out for the screams around 11.30am as my bare bum hits the cold water!!!

I hate to say it but I think Mike Buchan might be right - this isn't nearly as easy as shaving my head was!

More soon

xx