Having decided a year ago to attempt the Flora London Marathon, as I awoke to bright sunshine on the morning of 22nd April, I hoped my meticulous training and planning was going to be successful.

I was a nervous wreck, which wasn’t helped by the hotel we were staying in refusing to microwave my porridge, even though I had e-mailed them to check it was OK in the week. Once that small matter was rectified, the time seemed to fly and there I was on the blue start.

The heat was incredible even at 9.45am. Luckily I had hydrated well so the lack of water at the early drinking stations wasn’t too much of a problem.

Seeing my husband Neil and my friends twice during the course was amazing and very emotional, and thank goodness for a lady called Sue from Nottingham who helped me round.

I chose CRY as my charity as my friend Leah’s nephew had died aged two, so CRY became personal. It was nice to see other CRY runners along the way and we all gave each other words of encouragement.

The best bits?

Seeing “Team Pearson” twice; coming round that corner at Buckingham Palace and seeing the finish line; high-fiving small children on the Isle of Dogs; finishing!!!

The worst bits?

Mile 13-14, knowing I was only halfway; the heat; trying to dodge other tired runners when I just wanted to run in a straight line at mile 24!

Would I do it again?

At this stage, no. Ask me again in a month’s time and I could have changed my mind!

Thanks to everyone at CRY for their support and kind wishes.