4 hours 59 minutes 45 seconds

4 hours, 59 minutes, 45 seconds

Well I can honestly say running the Virgin London Marathon was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. It was an amazing experience and the crowd were fantastic. After a fairly good start, I crossed the mid way point at 2 hours, 10 mins, however, my left knee and hamstring started getting painful. I pushed through, was delighted to see my hubby, Kitty and Sam at mile 16, giving hubby a hug, then gave up and walked around mile 17. So with a combination of walking and running or should I say jogging I finished in just under 5 hours. Richard Branson came in just behind me - didn't he do well, and he was dressed with wings!!!!!

Battersea Car Boot Sale & Only One Week!

Battersea Car Boot Sale - £100 Profit

Well it's been a productive day for my fundraising, raising £100 profit at Battersea Car Boot Sale, selling stuff I'd normally give away to the charity shop or throw away.

It was also a very enlightening day, with some memorable moments:

* a slagging match between a guy in a wheelchair and a guy you really wouldn't want to get in an argument with

* a lady caked in make up, with her boobs nearly falling out and her nipple showing - really not pleasant, however, Paul my hubby was very disappointed he'd missed that moment

* selling a John Terry book to a guy who hated Chelsea Football Club!

And this week, I managed 20 miles over 4 days, and loving the tapering in the run up to the big day. I'm slightly nervous, but I know that all the training I've put in will get me round......

It's all in the mind

My friend Shona is a performance coach - she's awesome. Anyway I asked for some tips as my motivation was waning. Amongst other things she advised to keep telling myself 'it's getting easier' and to visualise crossing the finishing line effortlessly in the time I'd like to achieve.

This morning, after 18 miles, my legs felt like they had a mind of their own, but I kept going until I'd completed the 22 miles I'd set myself. God it hurt. But I did it.

That's the longest I'm going to go before 25th April. It's knackering. Still it's psychologically great to have it under my belt. I start tapering down next week, but let's hope my fundraising efforts stay up. I'm nearly there in achieving my goal of raising £5,000, with more than £4,500 already donated through my Virgin Money Giving page www.virginmoneygiving.com/hazelmartin. Thank you to everybody who has already made a donation and if you haven't, please do so!