Number 12 - Sheffield Half Marathon

I enjoyed this race, the crowds were fantastic and the start and finish in the Don Valley stadium was great. Made you feel like a proper athlete.

The organisation was great, especially the large baggage area which was for participants only, makes a change from getting cold before a race. The only slight problem was the wait for medal and goodies after the race, especially as it was wet and cold, but it was a minor problem.

I did take it easy in this race, due to only having done FLM 2 weeks before and a bruised coccyx, so I did walk the up hill bits (of which there are few) and kept my pace down. Though did manage a 7:57 final mile.

I would definitely do this one again,

8/10

Number 11 - Flora London Marathon

What can I say about this race. It is always well organised and everything goes smoothly. The crowds are phenomenal they really get behind every runner and really encourage you to take every step.

I could have done with out the rain and hail stones, but I suppose I can;t ask for everything.

I completed the race in 4:09 exactly and though disappointed I have to realise it is my first marathon after injury and I only returned from Australia 2 days before. So in these circumstances it is a good result.

Would definitely do this one again, have already signed up for next year.

10/10

Number 2 - Brandon Forest Half Marathon 28/05/07

Well apart from suffering from shin splints, wearing my husbands every day socks and it feeling more like the depths of January than nearly June, I did like the run.

It was well organised, even though it is a small race, there were plenty of water stations and because the course is a set of three loops which you do twice it breaks the race up into nice chunks.

It was really muddy so the trail running felt more like a cross country and we all got very wet and muddy.

The only down side was that there were no toilets at the start/finish (it was about a 10 minute drive away, which they did tell you about). This meant that even though I had driven to the toilets, when I got to the start I needed to go again. Being female meant this is harder said than done and meant a long trek in to the undergrowth to try and protect my dignity.

I think if you can get a nice day, when it had not been raining this could be a fast course and a potential PB is achievable.

8/10