One proud Mum

I actually hope this one makes the spotlight. Not for the photo but for what I'm about to write. I am enormously inspired today.

In 2007 i teve Way was a 20 a day smoker, seriously overweight and drank far too much.

He made a decision to change his life because if he didn't he figured he wouldn't be around much longer.

Today he competed in the Commonwealth Games Marathon, at the age of 40.

While Steve's club mates from Poole Runners got brilliant photos of Steve on the first lap I took a different angle and chose to get his Mum's reaction.

So if you want to know how a proud Mum looks where her son competes in a Commonwealth Games, this is it.

I adore the expression on her face. Pure joy and pride.

Steve finished in 10th place and broke Ron Hill's record for the fastest marathon run by a 40 year old.

Photos of Steve later in the day described him as "reverting to type" as he enjoyed a very well earned beer.

I stayed around for the women's marathon too because my friend Aly Dixon from Sunderland was competing. I have a great photo of her leading on the first lap but sadly she was unable to complete the race.

So after the joy of Steve's run I had the sadness of Aly not getting round.

That's racing and that's sport, and that's why it's so brilliant.

I learned also of an athlete from Rwanda who at the age of 14 ran 50 miles. He didn't do it for fun: he was running away from the genocide.

This afternoon I went to the Athletics at Hampden Park.
They have done an incredible job of converting it from a football stadium to a world class athletics venue. The place was packed and the atmosphere was electric.

Yesterday I promised the English athletes in the men's 5000m race a shout they would here. I got myself a front row seat that was actually it was "reseved" for official photographers. In their absence I felt it only right to take on the role......

With very little voice left I headed off to Merchant City in the heart of Glasgow to meet a couple of friends. The music, company and beer were all excellent so I left far too late after too much to drink and all the wrong foods.

when I got back to my Cousin's home I discovered someone else who used to drink and party too much and eat the wrong foods, was in the next pub to where I was!

Thank you Athletes and Glasgow for another amazing day.