In case you need proof...

I DID IT!

Well, I said I’d do it and I did. I finished the Royal Parks Half Marathon. Me! Seriously, if you had told me that a year ago, or at any other time in my life, I would have laughed in your face. And most other people would have laughed as well. But here's the story of how I did it...

On Friday and Saturday I was loading up with loads of rice and potatoes plus chicken and salmon. I was drinking loads of water and generally making sure that I was resting and preparing well. I couldn’t subdue the nerves though and it did take me a wee while to get to sleep… Sunday morning was early – well 7am, but that’s early isn’t it? – porridge with grated apple and plenty of water. Too much water outside though – it was raining and I was starting to regret my decision not to get better running attire. Luckily the rain had stopped by the time we left the house and made the 20 minute journey to Hyde Park.

SO MANY PEOPLE. It was pretty amazing seeing everyone, even just as you got on the train you could tell immediately who was doing the run as well. Once we got there it was full of people – not only runners but loads of supporters as well. We didn’t have a support team, but I think that might suit me perfectly – would get far too embarrassed otherwise! After a last minute comfort break, we were into the starting funnel (I was fighting the urge to cry, that’s how nervous I was) and then we were off! With the delays getting to the start line I crossed over at 9.44am, 14 mins after the fastest had left (and they would’ve been a quarter of the way around by then!).

The first 6 miles of this race is incredible. So many London landmarks and so many London memories for me to recall and take my mind off the running. The roads were closed and it was just me and 12,499 other runners plus supporters and at some points bewildered tourists. Running around Hyde Park corner (literally on the road around it), then through Wellington Arch –remembering the two dawn services I’ve attended on Anzac Days in London. Running down Constitution Hill and past Buckingham Palace – remembering being there with my sister Megan earlier this year for the Changing of the Guard. Running past Parliament Fields and remembering joining my sisters Jane and Sarah as they finished the Waitangi Day pub crawl, with Sarah deftly getting us into the centre to watch the legendary haka. Seeing Big Ben looming before me and laughing at the Hamlin sisters individual but similar reactions to it on first viewing.

Running across Westminster Bridge to the lion where I met Karen in my first week in London. Running along the Embankment and looking across at the Southbank – remembering evenings at the Royal Festival Hall (Swell Season with Pip). Running underneath Hungerford Bridge, my favourite bridge to walk across at night-time. Running past Embankment Gardens (remembering blurry evenings at Gordon’s Wine Bar) and down to Temple then looping back. Running down Whitehall – remembering waitressing at an event at Banqueting House nearly 3 years ago. Running to Trafalgar Square and taking a left at Nelson’s Column to go through Admiralty Arch – remembering Sara’s stint on the Fourth plinth and Lindsay’s hen’s afternoon tea at the National Portrait Gallery. Running down The Mall toward THAT balcony on Buckingham Palace – remembering getting all frocked up to go and watch Will and Kate’s nuptials on the telly. Then suddenly I was back at Hyde Park Corner, this time right next to the wonderful New Zealand memorial and re-entering Hyde Park.

Then I had 7 miles to go.

I felt great at the 8.5 mile mark. I had slowed down and was definitely making use of the energy sachets and water stations, but at that point I thought to myself “I might run this whole thing” which would have been an achievement considering the furthest I’d ever run without stopping to walk for a bit was 5 miles. Unfortunately at 9.5 miles we got to a hill. Well, not really a hill, but very definitely a rise – and I slowed to a walk. Not for long! I just got my breath back and had a few people pass me and then I started again. I will admit that in the last 3.5 miles there was rather a lot of that… running, walking, running, walking. Which I figure is okay really. And it gives me a goal for my next one (run the whole thing)!

The last mile I ran and when we got to only 400 metres to go I even managed to speed up a bit which I was pleased about but conversely thought “if you’ve got enough energy for this, why couldn’t you just run the whole thing?!” Which I’ve mostly managed to let go of now…

My time was 2 hours and 39 minutes. The 10,417th person to cross the finish line, the 4555th female. I got a medal in the shape of an autumnal leaf - cue the thumbs up in the picture. As soon as I had finished and found a place to stretch, I took off my trainers and on went my jandals (flip-flops, for those not in the know). That felt good.

Today, I am feeling pretty pleased with myself and very sore. My back, my knees, my quads, my shoulders. Not my bung ankles though, which must be testament to those investment shoes! I am stoked with my achievement, not only for me personally, but also in regards to that amount I’ve raised for Refuge UK. My total is currently £670, which is 134% of my original target!

Thank you to everyone who has donated – that’s Drew, Alexis, Tanya, Paul, Jon E, Charlotte (x2!), Sam, AL_A, Adam (x2!), Caroline, Margie, David, Amy, Todd, Madalyn, Pip, Jonny, Steve, Hilary, The Guzzwells, Shirley, Erik, Cara, Andrew, Anonymous, Victoria, Megan, Jay, Ben, Paul, Tom, Lori, Peter, Ho-Yin and Bruce! You are all fabulous and I truly appreciate it. This money will truly make a difference to women and children who are currently in dangerous situations in their own homes.

Thanks also to the lovely Sam Mackenzie who has been a wonderful training buddy, giving me tips and letting me read his Running World magazines. He was there with a kiss at the beginning (before he sped off and away – fair enough!) and a big sweaty hug at the end. And I also got a shoulder massage last night, despite the fact that he was/is just as sore! If you want to read his training blog it’s

http://the-rain-hides-my-sweat.blogspot.com/ and it's much better written than this one!

That’s it for me for the moment. I am going to rest up this week and then plan to get the running shoes back on. My goal at the moment is to complete another half marathon, this time a little faster – 2 hours 15 minutes perhaps? I do NOT think that a marathon is my next step – but I guess you never can tell. Thanks for reading, supporting and donating!