Well, that's it.

Well, that's it, its all over and this is my last blog, and what an amazing experience it's been.

Cardiff is just the most beautiful city and it looked particularly spectacular this morning bathed in the early Autumn sunshine. A perfect day, cool, bright and clear blue skies. 

Over 19,000 runners assembled outside Cardiff Castle to start this years Lloyds Bank Cardiff Half Marathon amongst which was this novice in his first ever event, nervous and excited. But a chance to meet new friends and get some last minute advice!

And Wales' very own Olympic hero, Colin Jackson got proceedings underway just before 9am with the elite runners following the wheelchair athletes.

But before I give you a blow by blow account of the day, I'd like to say a huge THANK YOU to all of you that have sponsored me, donated money and generally offered words of support and  encouragement during that past few weeks and months. I've genuinely been overwhelmed by the way you've all got so enthused by the whole thing. 

As you now know, I was in the 'yellow pen'…  I mean, how humiliating is it to be stood there limbering up full of trepidation as to what the next two hours hold and look round only to see a old guy dressed from head to toe in orange, pushing a vacuum cleaner around the course!? It was a great atmosphere though. Anyway, the first four miles were good and apart from the long drag up the hill towards Penarth, and the run across the barrage was fabulous with a stunning view of cardiff bay in the sunshine.

The worst part was Roath Park, but I kind of expected that as I had been warned by seasoned 'Cardiff Half' runners. Firstly it comes at about the 10 mile marker, so you're feeling pretty flat at that point anyway, secondly its on a slight incline as you go up one side(which seems to go on for ever) and thirdly (and worst of all) you can see the runners way ahead of you coming back down the other side of the lake.

Still, pretty much all down hill from there to the finish which I can't tell you how pleased I was to see! 

Picked up my medal and souvenir T shirt before having to navigate a whole team of people handing out bananas!  - anyone who knows me will be aware that me and bananas don't mix!

The knee (heavily strapped) held out which was my biggest concern pre race and apart from a few rather achy muscles I came out of the whole thing pretty unscathed.

But what about the time I hear you ask… well, 2 hrs 7 mins and 7secs. I'd have taken anything under 2hrs 30mins before the race, so was happy with that, although if I'd have picked up my pace a little more in the last 3 miles, could I have achieved a sub 2 hour time? - maybe next time… Next time!?

Revd. Steve, me and Damion, all running for CYO

What next? Ask me in a few weeks…  Did I hear someone mention the London marathon? 

Thanks again to everyone.

The Old Geezer

Anyone know a good sports psychologist?

Pressure's starting to get to me… Paranoid about my knee giving out half way round, so much so that I bought some strapping for it yesterday. Out on a short run tonight to test it out - my knee that is, not the strapping. Could go either of two ways - no twinges tonight and I'll be full of confidence for Sunday, but if the pain comes back I'll get depressed and be full of trepidation!  

Then the thought occurred to me - what if I can't make it round?  Then I broke in to a cold sweat at the thought that I might have to give all the money back! Sounds like I might need a session with a sports psychologist!

The good news is that the weather is supposed to be good for the weekend, although that's difficult to imagine right now with the rain hammering down outside.

Still, I'm well beyond the point of no return now, what will be will be!

More tomorrow with the prognosis on my knee...

And to think there was a point when I thought I might even have a go at the full 26 mile version! Not sure that's going to happen any time soon now! 

We've reached £2000!

Just 3 days to go and we've broken the £2000 barrier! This is fantastic news… Thank you so so much to all of you that have so very kindly supported and encouraged us. It makes the pain of it all that much more worth it!  

So, today received the final newsletter from the Marathon organisers with what's on offer on race day weekend.

It would appear that you follow my race day journey with the free Lloyds Bank Cardiff Half Marathon live tracking system. You can find more details @ www.cardiffhalfmarathon.co.uk.

For all the latest news, updates, tips, hints and exclusives from the Lloyds Bank Cardiff Half Marathon, follow us online at: www.facebook.com/cardiffhalf and @cardiffhalf

Interact with others on the day and share your stories, photos and celebrity sightings with #cardiffhalf

If you're going to be in Cardiff on the day, you can also take part in a photo competition, too! Tweet your best photos of the day or email them to cardiffhalfmarathon@runwales.org.uk for your chance to win a prize!

More tomorrow!

And then there were 2!

Yes, just 4 days to go now and crushing news received yesterday… Revd. Mark Thomas who was to be one of the 3 gallant Musketeers running for CYO has had to pull out. The problem, a reoccurrence of an old injury… a broken ankle, which apparently swells up like a balloon after 4 miles… that's got to be worth seeing!

So, its down to Revd. Steve Lee and myself now to keep the flag flying and 'bring the bacon home'.

Report on my doggy knee is one of slight improvement. No twinges yesterday and feels OK today. Might chance a short run on Friday to see how it holds up.  Watch tis space.

No running for me this week!

Absolutely NO running today or probably for the rest of the week come to that. Hobbled back to the station from the studio last night. Knee really giving me some jip now! Can't believe it, after all the months of training (literally), the week before the event and I do my knee in. I know, sounds like I'm making excuses but its true… honest!

No worries, I'll make it round even if I have to hop round.. might not be the record time I'd been hoping for though.

Hey ho, tomorrow's another day and who knows, with a bit of rest it might be fine. Watch this space.

Schoolboy error!

Yes, just 6 days to go now!

This time next week, it'll all be over and life will return to some form of normality.

OK, so I admit it, I've committed a schoolboy error... over did it at the weekend - the weekend before the event!  Found out from Luke at work today that I should be winding down to race day not cranking it up. Sore joints and twinge in my knee... could this spell disaster!? Ended up limping my way into work this morning. Think I'd better take it easy for the rest of the week and hope things improve by Sunday! 

Wonder if I'll keep running or if I'll go back to the rather more sedentary life style that I had before, with the ever expanding waistline that accompanies it?

Need to get behind the fund raising this week in a final push to raise as much money as we can. I know I've been banging on about the running, but it's still only a means to an end. 

Do pass this link on and get as many people following as possible. Remember, its easy to give. Just go to:-  www.give.net/cyo

Thanks

More tomorrow.

The long run

Didn't get round to blogging yesterday, lots going on at the moment and I wanted to do the longest route I've mapped out, which I've called the 'Tythegston run', as it takes me past Tythegston Court (known as the Welsh Downton Abbey - take a look at http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-36594850.html)

This route is 14.6 miles and lots of hills!… long hills!

Still, made it in 2hrs 20mins, but think I may have done myself permanent damage! my joints are PAINFUL! Started hurting at about 8 miles, but dug in and kept going… not sure that was such a good idea in hindsight!

Still, got a week to recover.