AHHH ITS MARATHON DAY It’s 5.40am, haven't slept, a thunder storm kindly ruined that.

A bagel with strawberry jam for breakfast.

Kit all ready from the night before.

I hug my Mum goodbye and try not to think about the next time I'll see her I'm running the marathon.

Check the weather a thousand times, yes still going to be 24.5 degrees the hottest on record.

Off I go from sunny Croydon.  Let's do this.

GETTING IN THE RED 'ZONE'

I followed the sea of trainers to Greenwich. I made my way up to the red starting zone - found my lorry to dump my bag in. And then queued for the loo's twice even though I didn't need to go - just a ritual really. My coach had told me to do a 15min warm up before going into the pens. I was looking around thinking where the hell am I going to do this as there were bodies of people everywhere. I felt pretty overwhelmed but knew I needed to make a plan. So I decided to do my stretches in the shade under a tree. 

WARMING UP (LITERALLY) Then I was like right where am I going to warm up these legs. I saw near to the fenced off start area 'more serious' looking runners wearing their club vests simply doing an up and down lap by some portaloo's - yessss on a boiling day, not an ideal location. I got myself in the mix, I did feel like a bit of a dick as I think I was the only girl doing it.  I did 5 mins and then thought its getting so hot I don't want to start the race a sweaty mess.

So off i went to find my start pen and my coach had also said if I couldn't do the warm up to do some squats while waiting. Again felt like an idiot. No one else was doing it but I thought what the heck I don't know anyone so just did it. In my head before the marathon I thought I would perhaps make friends with people in the start pen and it would be super chatty. However it really wasn't like that, people were either getting in the zone, or sat down under the trees to the side to save energy.  I surprised myself as it was quite an emotional moment when the queen started the marathon and the national anthem played. For a minute I felt like I was an olympian and I knew it was the start of a special day!  

As we made our way down I had two other groups start in from of me - the sub 3.45hour and the 4.15 hour crew behind. For a mass organised international race, almost 41,000 people I was hugely disappointed that there was no red zone sub 4 hour pacer. I hadn't planned on running with one but when I knew there wasn't one to help set the first few miles pace I was disappointed and I'm sure a lot of other people in my start group were feeling that too.

THE ROUTE This will sound weird but before the marathon every time I tried to look at the marathon route I felt sick to my stomach with nerves so would have to stop. A lot of the route for someone who's lived in London for 8 years it was still a magical mystery tour to even me.

LETS GO The first 3 miles, I felt good, it was a pinch myself moment reality check. I couldn't believe I was running the London Marathon something I had watched for years on TV growing up and it was really a dream to think it would ever been possible. The crowd support from the get go was in incredible and it's so wonderful to see how the city of London people will scream, shout and cheer for random strangers. I loved it! The signs were hilarious too and did make me smile inside even during some pain cave moments. I have so many favourite moments but early on when we merged with the other waves green and blue around 3 miles - I suddenly felt like this is it, this is really happening. this is the London Marathon 2018.

SEEING YOUR CHEER SQUAD Around mile 5 I could see Charlie AKA '@TheRunnerBeans' a little ahead, Charlie was pacing the green wave 4hour 45mins. This year was the first year the organisers to prevent congestion and to try to get people to start more quickly tried 3 different start areas - all to merge together at mile 3. This meant that even though I was trying to pace myself for sub 4 hours I would see the pacers for all different timings over the course. So when I saw Charlie ahead I wasn't panicked as I knew I was running the correct pace for when I had started the race. Anyway I shouted out to say hi, Charlie was running with someone dressed as an ice cream, incredible costume but such a tease as would of loved an ice cream. Charlie gave me a nice little motivational boast, to say "I better not see you again and off I went".

Around mile 10 I was happily surprised to see my triathlon partners in crime Hannah and Leigh and even with my headphones in managed to spin round to give them a wave. I hadn't realised they were coming to watch but gave me another big wave of motivation to keep on at it. I knew the next person I would see would be my Mum at the Guide Dogs UK cheer station. At this point was still holding onto the sub 4 hour pace.

11.5miles - There she is my Mummy waving away at the Guide Dogs UK stand, I remember seeing her first and shouting as I saw the Guide Dogs UK banners, I could tell she didn't know what to do when she saw me, if she should give me water, take a photo but she waved lots and shouted, which was perfect. 

HALF WAY My girlies Yiselle and Emily - I literally see them a mile off, they were on the other side of the returning runners, I weaved to the edge to shout across as they've got these brilliant bright hot pink banners with my name on. Again its funny because when you spot your friends first you startle them and they gave me the biggest cheer, which is just the best feeling to keep going. With a big smile on my face I keep chugging on.

15 miles - a dark cloud of pain comes over me. I hoped but knew it wouldn't be a race without pain. I'd been having physio for about 4 weeks before the marathon. My right knee which had been a little shit before when I did the Edinburgh Marathon in 2015 had been causing me a lot of discomfort on the long runs in training. It was a total repeat of Edinburgh, no knee pain (magic tape) but my hip went. It feels like your joint and bone are grinding down on each other. Its vile and deeply a lot of swear words unpleasant. I was armed with Ibuprofen and Paracetamol which I popped back (not easy when your mouth is as dry as a desert)

I had to have a strong word with myself here as It felt like I had gone from a good pace to a total shuffle. I knew I had to slow down or I'd do a lot more damage too early to be able to keep going to the end. I had been clinging onto the sub 4 hour pace and didn't have much buffer time to keep it. This was now fading... I couldn't get upset about it because there really wasn't much more I could have given at this stage 25km in. I had to carry on and do my best. It was a mental fight now not to stop, especially as so many people were walking around me. That's tough. (When you look back at the race times on average I slowed down 10 seconds per km. Thats really not much but at the time I felt like a total snail)

17/18miles (It's a blur) I see Mummy again and its a nice early surprise as thought she was going to be around 20/21 miles. It's a welcomed surprise because she hands me an extra gel and I take it then.

Somewhere around canary wharf I see another penis - Who would have thought! Or was I hallucinating.... okay it was inflatable. (this will make more sense if you keep reading)

Mile 19 I couldn't tell you in what order this happened as its really blurry as I’m drunk on running. I saw Yiselle and Emily again -those signs they made were so easy to spot. Loved it. Emily handed me a bottle of water which was really needed as was baking. I was struggling still but the girls said they couldn't tell (or they were just being polite)

A few moments later on the other side of the road I see Brendan and Christian. Brendan has been an absolute running rock during the training and came out with me in the beast from the east x2 totally voluntarily. I owe you a lot!!! I wasn't the most joyful runner on that training run - I shouted at him at one point in Victoria Park for 'running up a hill' it was pretty much flat but at the time in the cold, wet, wind and snow it felt like Everest. So cool to see them though.

Mile 20 ish A proposal!!! Not for me... I hear a big loud cheer echoing around (almost like a Mexican wave in a cheer form) a guy is on one knee proposing to his girlfriend in the crowd. I smile and keep running. God knows how he managed to get back up from being on one knee! But a special moment to see.

THE FINAL HOUR In my head when I was struggling I was like Abi all you have to do is get to mile 20, you know this part of London, you love running along the embankment and you've done this part a zillion times so it won't feel so hard. This was pretty much true when I got to it. Its strange because I've been running for 3 hours, seems like a long time right? But it went so fast. I was in a lot of pain, I took another round of painkillers for the final push.  I had really wanted to negative splits for the second half but it was frigging hot and tough. By this point I was happy to hold onto my current pace. I knew I was still not that far over 4 hours so was still on for a huge PB. In fact after I learnt I overtook almost 3275 people and only 163 people who took me on the second half.

Mile 24 Running in Blackfriars tunnel, its dark, shady and some relief from the sun, I let out a massive FU******K for some reason that made some of the pain disappear for a second.  Oh and my head phones die. PERFECT.

Mile 25 Who knew there's a bit of a incline of the embankment. Was glad to see the band at the top. The tarmac temperature is now 27 degrees. I'm really in a zone now of getting to the end. I see a lot of charities cheering, my Mum had told me where she was but I totally miss her and my other friends Lily, Lorna and Phil who were at Somerset House. I see the bend for Westminster, a lot of people are struggling now walking, some alone, some aided by the marshals.  I'm coming onto birdcage walk (another one I ran a lot in training, which is good as mentally I can work out how far I have to go)

600 metres to go I can do this, I smile at the camera, I've got this.

385 yards, that famous bend at Buckingham Palace. I can see it. I'm know the end is in sight. From here I pick up the pace, and find the strength to pump those arms to go for that sprint finish.

I can see the finish line, hang on a minute theres 3 different finish lines... which one to go for. I can see the middle is more crowded, I make a run for the left side. I cannot believe it I'm over the line. I've completed it. 26.2 miles. 4.09.53 (PB of 31mins 52secs)

Thank you to Guide Dogs UK for letting me be apart of their team, it was a proud moment. The biggest thank you to every single person who sponsored me, thats 99 of you! All brilliant people and very lucky to have you as friends.

If you want to read more about the high/low lights and just want more details keep reading on...

SEEING THE SIGHTS / THE HIGHLIGHTS Greenwich had a great vibe, it was packed with people and you feel incredible seeing them all cheering people on. This is where I saw my first penis (inflatable) but it got my attention!

First big wow wow moment was Cutty Sark, I saw less of the boat than I would of liked just remembering all the hoarding around it with advertising but the atmosphere was totally electric. LOVED IT. Felt like a running superstar at that moment.

Tower Bridge. Now theres a lot of hype about this bridge and it was pretty magical but for me it was a bit overwhelming. So many amazing charities and people cheering you just don't know where to look. 

Embankment Its wall to wall people and thats exactly what you need at this stage. Its perfect. I loved running along here normally but actually couldn't see the thames at all.

Big Ben Its super cool here, you know you're going to do it. MAGICAL feeling.

Keep reading now, its almost like you've finished a marathon reading thus far.

HYDRATION It was hot early on and even though I had my hydration vest on with electrolytes I was getting through it faster than usual. I avoided the first few water stations where it was like feeding time in a shark pool with people fighting to reach a hand to get water. After a while I knew I needed to bring my body temp down. I wore white to not reflect the sun but from then on I would take a sip of the water, tip the rest over my head, down my back, chest and wrists - basically everywhere. it wasn't a sexy wet competition vibe, defo would have lost if it was. (Disclaimer, I had a lot of body glide on so was protected fortunately from the chaffing)

I kept to the plan, after 30mins first gel and then every 50 mins and in between took a cliff shot blok - this seemed to work really well for me as officially I didn't hit the wall but hit something else later...

SHOWERS I've never been so happy in all my life to see the fireman, they're hoses were big and full of water... and it sprayed the whole road. Running through it felt like heaven. I wish there had been more. The London Marathon official showers were puny and again was a total stamped of chaos to get anywhere close.

MY OOTD I got a lot of stick from my friends for my outfit. However I know it wasn't particularly the most stylish look it kept me cool. (I would also of taken the mick out of me too)

2XU Visor (I felt like my Grandma, but she's cool so thats okay) Love the colour - first time wearing one in a race, and yes would wear again if sunny.

2XU Compression Shorts These were great, as didn't ride up or give me a wedge.

2XU Compression Socks These were good, no blisters, they are however pretty thick and found it hard at mile 20 bashing my feet in them when I had cramp. I think I might prefer a thinner sock. They slightly rolled down on my knee too but didn't cause much bother.

Nike Medium Support Bra Its a trusty bra, and only had a tiny tiny bit of chaffing. So pretty happy with that.

Nike Dri-FIT top I tested out my hydration pack in other runs and it rubbed with vest tops. I normally don't like wear tops with capped sleeves but to save the chaff it was fine. The fabric absorbed my sweat and water quickly which was just what I needed in the climate.

Saucony Guide ISO I've worn these since 2013 when I first had gait analysis done and they've been great. I was a bit unsure about the latest updated design - new fancy fabric but all good. No blisters and foot was well supported.

Sunwise Sunglasses Think I need to upgrade these are some point. I bought these from Runners Need in Brighton back in August when I was training for a half marathon. I look hideous in them but they didn't move or slip. They did the job they needed.

Nathan Hydration Pack I did a bit of research on these before I bought one, but saw a post Charlie (@The Runner Beans) had done on them and she had got on well with this one and its pink. Done deal  No chaffing.  Room for phone, gels and shot bloks with easy access at the front.

I'll be surprised if you read this far but this is the best bit...and I can write it because I don't anyone would read this far - this is basically an ultra marathon now in writing. 

PRE RACE FEARS My biggest fears before the marathon were:

1. Not being able to run the whole way.  2. Not being able to run and take the gels and...3. Shitting myself because of the gels. (We all know about Paula, its happens)

I'd struggled with all of these things over the training, doing your long runs is tough because your bound to come to traffic lights or reasons to stop so I had a real fear that I wasn't fit enough to run the whole way. I know its mental when I tell people because their like you trained so hard for this but I was still worried.

Gels, are my best friend and worst enemy. Without giving you TMI training had been a total mixed bag with these. One run totally fine, next run I'm SERIOUSLY panicking looking for a loo in a random cricket club, cafe or shopping centre. I can pretty much tell you were all the public loos are now in London. However for running that amount of time I needed those gels. I took an Imodium in the morning before I left and as soon as they were doing the countdown for the marathon to start I felt a nervous pang in my stomach and thought this is too risky and took another Imodium.

BIGGEST TIPS If you can avoid telling people what time you're aiming to do it in, it will save you some stress you don't need.  I really struggled with the pressure because I had been very open that I wanted to do it under 4 hours. I was always on the fence whether I could do it. And actually had there not been so much congestion around parts of the course/it was stand still at some water stations. I may of been a bit closer. Who knows on a less sunny day. Good job I've got New York when it certainly won't be hot in November.

Lastly smile and enjoy it, it goes in a flash and you'll want to remember as much as possible. I was on cloud 9 for days after - and just wanted to do it all over again. I really couldn't have had a better experience and really urge anyone to give it ago. You won't regret it!!! / You might hate me in January when you start training but when you've got the medal theres no better feeling. It's totally worth it.