For many of us, the London Marathon is pride of place on our bucket list and it is a fantastic feeling to cross it off. I tried the ballot a few times without success so I took a gold bond place for 2017. Think carefully about this, as committing to raise money is an additional pressure on top of the training.

The expo is great and there's some really nice merchandise if you can afford it. The pre race official comms from the event and from my charity were great and the final instructions magazine is informative and useful to hand over to anyone that may be coming to watch you. 

The atmosphere and the crowd of spectators really make the London Marathon what it is. As a gold bond bib I was starting at the back but it didn't take as long as I thought it would to cross the start line.

The first few miles are quite residential and plenty of locals will be outside their houses with soundsystems rigged up pumping tunes. The course overall is great and being a slower runner I had the chance to really look around and take it all in. For first time runners, putting your name on your shirt is a great tip as shouts out from the crowd make all the difference. Crossing Tower Bridge is a reassuring halfway marker and the Run Dem Crew cheer squad at Mile 21 will give you a new lease of life for your final miles. You wont want to high-five every little paw along the sidelines but don't turn down all the sweets and jaffa cakes!

I was knackered by the time I crossed the line but knew straight away it wouldn't be my only 26.2. The added plus is due to my slow time, any future marathon is sure to be a new PB! I'll always look back on London with fond memories and will keep entering the ballot on the off chance that I might get in again.