For the record

A brief history of my marathon running prior to the Enigma double:

14th April 2002 London 5:04:57

• Gained a place unexpectedly and had very little preparation - hated it and swore never to run one again.  It took ten years to forget the promise to myself.  #1 completed

29th April 2012 Milton Keynes- dns

• Food poisoning

13th May 2012 Halstead 4:08:22

• Hastily booked replacement for MK.  On target to beat four hours until mile 22 when my legs and head both gave up - not enjoyable.  #2 completed

9th June 2012 South Downs 4:47:10

• My first trail marathon - lovely views but the hills and terrain exhausted me.  #3 completed

23rd June 2012 Trail Marathon Wales 5:05:30

• Far tougher than South Downs but I loved it - finished feeling strong and with a smile on my face.  #4 completed

21st July 2012 Ilmington 6:04:35

• Self-navigated, informal and fun.  #5 completed

12th August 2012 Salisbury 5-4-3-2-1 50k 6:16:18

• My first ultra.  Uncomfortable.  #6 completed

1st September 2012 Kennet & Avon Canal race (56 miles) 12:26:21

• My first time over 50 miles.  Hated it so much I gave up running for good, though later changed my mind, obviously!  #7 completed

6th October 2012 Reverse Enigma 4:45:23

• Decided to attempt a sub four hour time.  Okay until halfway at which point my energy had gone.  Hadn't fully recovered from the 56 mile event.  #8 completed

21st October 2012 Abingdon 4:43:32

• Ran out of steam at halfway again.  #9 completed

 26th October 2012 Woolwich Foot Tunnel 4:25:19

• A quirky race which started beneath the River Thames and resulted in my first negative split.  Fastest miles were the last three and it felt great.  #10 completed

1st December 2012 Saxon Shore - dnf

• Over-training had resulted in achilles problems and I shouldn't have started the race, pulled out at halfway as I could barely walk.

8th December 2012 Broadmeadow day one - dns
9th December 2012 Broadmeadow day two - dns
12th December 2012 Enigma Dirty Dozen - dns
23rd December 2012 Portsmouth Coastal - dns
5th January 2013 Winter Enigma day one - dns
6th January 2013 Winter Enigma day two - dns

• I was unable to start any of these due to continuing heel problems, paying the price for failing to rest enough the previous autumn.

29th March 2013 Good Friday Enigma 5:08:53

• First one back after injury, I wasn't fit enough and really struggled.  #11 completed

7th April 2013 Paris 4:38:12

• Struggled for the first half and then everything clicked.  Official figures show that I overtook more than 5,000 runners in the second half, only missing a negative split by one minute.  Encouraging!  Passed out on the metro afterwards.  #12 completed

21st April 2013 Hamburg 4:28:48

• A steady first 18 miles and then stepped up to nine minute mile pace, negative splitting by 12 minutes.  The strongest I'd ever felt finishing a marathon.  #13 completed

1st June 2013 Kent Roadrunner 4:18:01

• Another attempt to get under four hours.  Started too fast and paid the price, jog/walked the final miles when it became clear I wouldn't achieve the time.  #14 completed

22nd June 2013 Trail Marathon Wales 6:11:28

• A return to my favourite event, heavier and less fit than last time it really tested me, a struggle but I finished.  #15 completed

29th June 2013 Giant's Head 6:10:19

• Another hilly, hot one which turned out to be close to 28 miles.  #16 completed