The day after....

Thank you everyone for your comments, it really means a lot to me. One thing I forgot to say yesterday (there were so many things I wanted to say yesterday that my fingers ran out of energy) was that I thought about you lot on the way round, and it really helped me. Just knowing that I can inspire people to do things they never thought were possible, and that people out there who I've never met actually care about what I do really kept me going. That might have been one of the other times I started welling up. There were quite a few times where that happened...

Jackie - I didn't get any text updates either. Not that I had my phone on me, but I was hoping to have them on it when I got back so I could check my times without queueing for a printout.

I've found all the splits on the internet though (although no photos as yet). Roughly (I haven't got them in front of me as I type), the first half took 2:08, and the second half 2:43 (does that add up to 4:51?) My two slowest half marathon times ever, but then I don't normally run them back to back! Actually, splitting it out like that puts things into perspective - the people who wanted me to do the Great North Run with them are aiming for 2:30 - 2:40 for the half - and I managed that time for the second half of the full marathon, with a dodgy stomach.

My legs feel fine tomorrow, and tomorrow I want to get out there and run, just for fun and the pleasure of it. Not too far, but something. I think, from the way my legs feel today, that I had more in them than I used yesterday, and that is giving me a great incentive to get out there sometime in the future and try another marathon to see what I can do, hopefully without the heat and pain!

But for now I'm just celebrating with some sparkling red wine (which I like far more than sparkling white/champagne) and utterly decadent chocolates.

Meanwhile I will leave you with some photos...

Me at the end...



Me at the Brandenburg Gate today...



And the Brandenburg Gate made out of chocolate...