Nathan Perrott ran the London Marathon for RNIB, raising over £1,500. Below is an excerpt from his post-marathon blog.
Nathan's London marathon blog
"Well, it's all over. Blisters? Check. Chafing? Check. Bleeding nipples? Almost. Sore feet? Definitely.
It was a great day, and certainly one to remember.
I kept telling myself from the very beginning, this is a marathon, not a sprint - so I must pace myself. Take it easy, just get through it without too much pain - don't start too quickly!
So, I started like the hare out of the traps at a dog race. Damn! Buzzing with adrenalin, I couldn't help it. I was flying. I thought this would have been a mistake but it turned out ok as it happened. I had the minutes under my belt, to allow me to slow down, but it took its toll on the body. Although, had it not been for the 30 minute monsoon at 11 miles, I might have been ok.
A marathon, not a sprint!
At 12 miles, a blister on my right foot caused me to run with a strange bow in my leg. I was on course for a three hour 45 finish by half way but then the pain started to set in at mile 15. The knee decided to give me a scare, but just a scare.
Canary Wharf was like a giant maze, I had no bearings at all, which made it a lot more difficult. It was a really tough part of the course for me, I lost valuable minutes and there was a lot of dragging of the feet. It felt like it had two anvils strapped to my trainers.
Down the home straight and I started to think that I could get under four hours, but I had to push on. Jelly Baby after jelly baby. Wine gum after wine gum. As much Lucozade as I could fit in without being sick. Miles 22 to 24 I picked up the pace, my body now accepting the pain as though it didn't really exist.
Miles 25-26 I really ramped up the speed, although my arms were going like the clappers, but I don't think I actually ran any faster.
Passing people I knew in the crowd really helped - so thank you to all those people - even if I didn't see you.
The last 200 metres were so long, but what a feeling - I just ran a marathon!"
Nathan Perrott, Flora London Marathon - three hours 57 minutes.