The first time doing this race and my 2nd marathon. Me and my fiance were looking forward to this but hadn't done half as much training for this as we did for London 2017. Reaching only 16 miles on long runs so I knew this was going to be a tough run! I managed London in 4:56:15 so anything near that was hopeful. We travelled up by car from Newcastle on the Fri morning arriving at our hotel around 3pm. Beautiful place and decided to take a trip along the riverside where the expo would be held. Timed the route so we knew we would have plenty of time on the Sunday to get to the event. It was a ten minute walk into Bught park... Saturday morning we attended Alness parkrun which was again beautiful...could not fault the Scottish scenery! After returning to our hotel to freshen up we headed to the expo for our running numbers.. again we walked as it was quite near. Collecting numbers was easy and unlike bigger events we found it easier with less crowds. We were given info ref the pickups etc for the marathon. Arrive before 7.45am to be taken via bus to the start line. We headed to town for lunch and an easy afternoon...with hopefully an early night.

Race day came and we were up at the crack of dawn for breakfast. Ready with our race numbers fixed firmly we set off to the pick up points. A queue awaited but not too bad and we were soon on a bus heading to the start. It was an hours drive and seemed like a half a day...finally we arrived and so did the rain! We stripped down to race gear and put on a plastic poncho (every race should give you these..very handy) our bags went on a lorry and were taken back to the finish area for us arriving back. 

Standing in the imaginary pens waiting to set off was cold and wet but it seemed to pass quite fast....then we were off!!

Over the timers and that was it...the point of no return. Miles 1-5 seemed to pass with ease and I took on some electrolytes at a water station...people chattering full of excitement and happiness. Then came a hill..not to steep but it does help if you train well.. scenery was wonderful and met some fab people on route... Mile 12 was soon upon us and a chance for some more water with a shot blok... I didn't hit any so called walls in London as my excitement was focused on proposing to my partner! However, this was hurting and I suddenly had an awful thought I wouldnt finish! 

Luckily for me my wonderful fiance sticks with me in all our training and just that thought alone helped me to push on... I seem to get very irritated when I'm tired and it showed - way too early! The next few miles seemed to be never ending and I knew from looking at course elevation there was a big hill around mile 18 - this thought alone made me feel worse. Suddenly the HILL was upon us and my God what a hill...sneaky! I must admit quite a bit of it was walked and the following 5 miles seemed harsh! Mile 23-24 seen us coming into Inverness and I felt so pleased to be 'nearly there' as the crowds say (through gritted teeth i try and smile to them) except there was still 2 mile or so to go... run walk run walk etc... this went on but wait! I hear the music and more people! Oh my goodness I've actually done it...and soup, yes soup! There was a meal waiting for each runner... I had forgotten how hungry I was... and looking forward to lots of alcohol... as we reached the river we could see the finish line but had to come back along the other side of the water first...over the bridge and my insides were crying for food and rest! In a time of 4:29:59 we crossed the finish line...nearly half an hour less than London and so unexpected as hadn't done any training. I've now booked my next marathon and hopeful for a place in Berlin 2018... things can only get better and I will certainly train harder for all upcoming races!! Oh and the medal is awesome along with a fab tech t shirt which I wore with pride for the journey home the next day...