Thank you for curing me of my ridiculous obsession

...with running.

So the Edinburgh Marathon was today. Thank you all for your kind words of encouragement, it's really meant a lot to me over these last few months.

I finished in a time of 5:15:10 - that's 13 minutes quicker than last year. I have to say though, that this year it was the hardest thing that I've ever done in my life. That heat was inhuman. There was no wind and no shade. I thought i was going to die.

At mile 16 i felt a toenail pop on my left foot, on mile 19 one went on my right. Blood soaked through my right trainer and i was in a lot of pain. At mile 21, i saw my mum and dad and i'd have given anything for them to drive me away. I didn't want to finish. I knew i'd have hated myself if i stopped though. So on i went. At mile 23, it felt as though my left calf was about to pop to and i decided it wasn't worth it anymore and i walked.

I'm genuinely surprised that i beat last years time. I really am. Unlike last year though, i am proud of myself and i'm happy. I couldn't have done any better. I am at peace.

Now please excuse me for sounding like i've won an award, but i have some people i'd like to thank.

1. Thank you to Russell from Carnoustie. We ran the last 1.2 miles together and i genuinely couldn't have done it without you. I will remember you forever.

2 Thank you to my mum and dad. You are the most amazing people and i am simply so lucky to have you. Without your support, enthusiasm and supplies, i wouldn't have made it.

3. Thank you to Hannah. That moment that i saw you at the end of the race filled me with hope and strength.

4. Thank you to all of the Edinburgh residents who gave me water and sprayed me with their hosepipes. Very much appreciated.

5. Thank you to acronymphomania for taking the best photo of me running i've ever seen!

That was my last marathon (for a while at least). I'm to stick to halves from now on.