Well I am still here and feeling fantastic! Yes thats means my fantastic children and I managed to complete our challenge and complete the marathon.

What a feeling. We were all on such a high at the start with thousands of other people the atmosphere was electric as we all limbered up together to warm up for the task at hand, fitting our timing devices to our ankles. Checking things like laces, drinks on our running belts etc we gathered at the start. A huge sea of people, such a colourful array of t-shirts and running tops. The road was not even visible, nor could you determine where the road ended and the path and public watching actually started.

I recall how Edward turned to me and said ‘do not look behind you’ and of course both Emma and I looked behind. Just a vision of heads with no end in sight.  The commentator started the count down to the start as the crowds cheered. By this time we all had butterflys in our tummies.  With a hugh cannon blast and sound of horns the marathon had started. We stood for what seemed ages as the commentator stated ‘and our first marathon runners have crossed the 1 mile marker’, panic set in as we had not even started and still had to cross the starting line with thousands of others as we started to move in one massive surge forward.

Some people seemed to run past in a panic thinking others were miles in front we paced ourselves and kept our nerve. The journey was fantastic with the encouragement of the crowds cheering and clapping you on as you passed streets full of spectators.  It was tough with a capital T, the burn and where you get the energy from I do not know. You passed runners and then miles later they passed you until you caught them up again.  Even between the runners we encouraged each other on talking to each other on the way.

The thing that struck me most was how everyone had a story. They even had been through a trauma, illness, accident etc or were running for a cause or family member so many stories to tell.

There is a point when you think ‘oh god i’m not going to make this?’, but by running together we kept each others spirits up and kept the pace for the slowest.  The home stretch was amazing. When we knew we were nearly there at the finish there were so many people shouting you on, some runners found a second surge of energy to go for a sprint finish which included my son. As we passed that finish line and you look at that big clock what a sense of achievement, I must of been one of the proudest mothers on the planet at that particular moment. It was such a memory I will cherish for ever to have ran with my children for a worthy cause who fought so hard to try to save my fathers life. We collected our medals and enjoyed the moment together it was very emotional before filling up on fluids and nutrients to revive our tired limbs.

We were ready and prepared with our favourite Papaya Smoothie: (Don’t forget to make sure you have your own smoothie maker to hand to make some delicious and nutrious smoothies for all the family).

Take 500g ripe papaya, 500ml Soya Milk, 2 medium bananas, 250ml orange juice, 1/2 squeezed lemon and 2 tablespoons of honey.

Prepare your fruit by peeling, deseeding and slicing or cutting into cubes. Combine the banana, papaya, soyamilk and mix in a blender until smooth. Then add the honey, fruit juice and mix again. Add the lemon juice to your taste and serve, delicious and one of our all time favourites.