We set of Saturday morning about 7:30am from Johnstone to Inverness. It took us about 5 hours because when we got on the A9 the caravan tyre blow so that stop us in other tracks. We waited there about 1hr 30min then the police came and said to us we were causing a hazard. We then got the recovery out to change the tyre. Then we where on the road again.
 
About 2hrs later we arrived at Inverness trying to find our caravan park which we were staying the night. We then arrived about 2pm then we unhitch the caravan and headed out for something to eat. I then headed back to register for the marathon. I then waited until 6pm where John Mc and myself were heading to the pasta party. We then got our meals and sat down. We then discussed the tactics for the race which John Mc wrote the pace out for me which I appreciated thanks John. It was 7:30 minute milling pace which I will tell you a bit later how I got on. We then left felling full. I walked John Mc back to his B & B then headed back myself.  I then went to bed about 9pm ready for the next day.
 
Sunday Morning I woke up about 6pm to get my breaks fast which was banana and toast and apple juice. By 8am I had met up with John Mc and John K and Lesley and a few of John K WHW running partners. We the headed on to the buses for about a 45 minute journey. We were hearing the different marathon stories with the people around us which past the time quickly. We then arrived at the start where it felt like you were dropped off in the middle of no where and then you had to make your own way back.
 
John Mc and Lesley, John K and myself went a warm up then loaded the bags in to the lorry. We then headed up to the start where the nerves were getting the better of me. I then waited for about 5 minutes and after a few seconds there was a pipe band coming through the middle. Then about 1 minute to the gun while the nerves were still getting the better of me. Then BANG we were off I then stayed with John K for about 100 meters and said to him that I could not keep his pace up so hung back and ran my own race. I was on pace for a while I reach 2 miles in 15 minutes then 6 miles in 30 minutes then 8 in 1hr and so on.

I then came to 17 miles and my legs where not liking the hill so I tried to push myself up it. When I got to the top I admit I did walk for a couple of minutes and while I was walking there was a lady on her bike asked me if I would like some jelly babes and she said take as many as you like. After that far its great to get some jelly babes. I then started to run again heading through the villages where the crowds were great keeping you going shouting all sorts of encouragement at me. I then hit 22 mile mark just over 3hrs then after that I went down hill I was just slowing down. I

 then was about 100 meters to the finish and tried to push myself to the finish. When I saw the finish in site I just used what I had left in the tank and manage to get a PB by 4seconds. My London time was 3hr 30mins 55secs and Loch Ness was 3hrs  30mins 51secs. When I passed that finish line I was glad my legs could take no more. I then headed for a shower. I did not have the luxury that John Mc had and after that headed home a long 5 hour journey ahead of us.

When I got home I rested for the rest of the evening because I was aiming to out with the club the following day which I did. I  took it easy and to this day I'm still taking it easy. I think that will be my last marathon for a good while but have entered London for next year and that will be my last marathon for a while and hoping to get a pb for that time of 3hrs 15minutes. 

Can I just say thank you to some people  -John Mclaughlin for writing my pace notes and for helping me with any information I needed and to Neal and Caroline Gibson. Neal for training with me and encouraging me on and for Caroline for making good dinners for filling me up and for my mum and dad for taking me up and supporting me through my running. I very much appreciate what you guys have did for me thanks again.  
 
PS Just to say good luck to Neal and Caroline Gibson for New York marathon in about 2 weeks time I hope you do well guys. Go and enjoy it sometime it can be a once in a life time experience over there. Good luck to Neal for training for the west highland way in 2008 and hope the club will be behind you and help you along during this time.  If you need company while training for the WHW you know where I am Neal.