My legs have just recovered, but I'm so excited to say that I completed the Great North Run on Sunday! I'm not going to lie, it was tough! I ran a half marathon while training but I ran this one hard, and I actually ran 0.5 miles extra by not always running the racing line and from running around people, so 13.6 miles is the furthest I've ever run!! I'm also used to big hills, hills that are tough up, but easy to run down (so you can catch your breath). This course was undulating...tough running up with little benefit coming down! There were also lots of people in the way, or towards the end when I tired, cutting me up. I'd not felt 100% well in the week before the event and I struggled with cramp twinges in my calves and big toe over the final two miles - that's not happened at all in training runs. There's a long incline over the 11/12th miles and the final mile seemed to go on forever. I was secretly hoping for a time around 2 hours 15 (which I was on track for until the final 3 miles) but finished in 2:26:52. This was the time it took me to get from the start line to the finish line, but I ran further, as I said previously, so my half marathon time was actually 2:20:50. Even though I was slower than I hoped, I still got a load of new personal records (my 10k, 15k, 10 miles and half marathon times were all records), so I've got a lot to be proud of. Most importantly though, I've now raised over £900 for Meningitis Now in memory of Ellie, with more promised. I thought of Ellie a lot, especially when I found it tough, she kept me going. So did seeing my boys 200m from the finish line. I'm overwhelmed by how generous you have all been. I can't tell you how much it means. Meningitis Now is a fantastic charity - campaigning, researching and supporting. One day no one will suffer from this awful disease. Thanks so much everyone, you're amazing! xxx

I've just completed 43 miles on running in the last two weeks, despite being on holiday in Portugal and then being busy back at work. On Sunday I ran 18km and loved it, even though I had blisters on my feet from dancing the night away at my cousin's wedding the day before! Getting excited about the race now but still a way to go with the fundraising.

Thanks to everyone who sponsored me - yesterday was amazing! It was very emotional after the awful events in Manchester this past week. The family were supposed to come with me but we decided they should all stay at home. So I travelled to Manchester by myself and ran by myself. It's amazing how lonely you can feel in a crowd! I was crying before we started with an emotional minute's silence and inspirational poem by Tony Walsh, which made me think of Ellie, of Rich and Lel, of those affected by the bomb and made me proud of the city I love and try to make better every day through my work. The race went well from the off, though I was startled when I passed an armed policeman right at the start line - I knew they'd be there but being so close to such a powerful gun shocked me at first. There was loads of police officers on the way around - I thanked and high fived as many as I could. The first 5k went brilliant. I ran well, I mostly had free space and I was passing people. I spotted some branded leggings from my Facebook running group and shouted out to the lady as I passed her. We saw each other at the end so I made a new friend that day! Around 6km in the course is tougher around Old Trafford where the scale of the city is larger and running seems slower! Luckily there were quite a few live bands down there and one started playing 'Don't Look Back in Anger' as I hit 7k - the song has become an anthem of the week's events. This gave me goose bumps and made me cry again - I waved my arms to show my appreciation to the band - it was just what I needed at that time! The last 4k's were tough, the road seemed to go on forever, it was slightly uphill, my shirt was stuck to my back (charity running shirts are not comfortable!) and it was hot! A few runners started shouting motivational chants and there was a great atmosphere and camaraderie. I thought of Ellie and those who had died and been injured this week - I ran for all those who couldn't run! Eventually I was approaching the city centre again. The crowds over the last few hundred metres were amazing and as I ran under the railway bridge at the bottom of Deansgate the noise was amazing. Somehow I sprinted for the finish, waving at the cameras and crowds as I went! I passed over the line, avoided being sick (like last time), then I burst out crying, what an amazing and emotional run! Now to up my distance for the Great North Run!!!