h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

...and I ran every step of it.

The atmosphere was great, with a mass warm up at the start and Michael Vaughan showing us the Ashes. 20 minutes after the start, I finally crossed the start line. All around us people were watching and cheering us on. As we ran through the tunnels there were lots of oggy-oggy-oggies, and together with the bands playing music at the side of the road, they kept us smiling.

I kept up a good 10 minutes per mile at first - better than I'd hoped for - but after eight miles it started to get harder and by mile 10 I had to drop my pace, incapable of persuading my legs to take bigger steps. The group of L'Arche supporters in the orange t-shirts at on the roundabout at mile nine (together with the steel band) were a welcome sight, but after that it was a long struggle. Had I realised that people at the side of the road were handing out sweets, I'd have taken some as my energy levels were dropping.

The last mile along the sea-front is the longest mile ever, and Helen was right: it is uphill! Apparently the cameras caught me, in the closing credits, as I came down the home straight trying to see where the Red Arrows were coming from next. All ideas of a final sprint had been banished earlier.

But hey! I did it! And although I said "never again" as I crossed the finish line, I have to admit that I might just do it again next year.

Thank you to the very generous Mustardlanders who have sponsored me. I think the total will be around £500, but of course I'm still accepting sponsorship on the Just Giving website ( http://www.justgiving.com/beckyellis )

Well done Bex! Really pleased for you.

You must be justifiably proud. At least you'll know for next time to take or accept some . You *know* you want to do it again, girl .