We made it!

Mike, David and I finished the Bournemouth marathon, and we all made it before the sweeper bus. Mike managed it in under five hours, whereas David and I took just over five and a half. It was practically perfect weather for a long run, not too warm with bright sunshine, interspersed with cloudy moments, but not a drop of rain and very little wind.

The crowds in general were very supportive, but we were particularly grateful to colleague Beverley, and 2007 trekker Anthea, who both cheered us on from several spots along the route. David and I found this particularly uplifting as we were finding the number of hills disconcerting. At the top of each one of these cheeky inclines, there would invariably be a Marshall telling us that it was flat from that point on. Oh how they lied! The finish line is on an incline for goodness sake.

We are also hugely grateful to everyone who has already sponsored us. Currently the total both on and offline stands at around Â£4000. You can still donate by visiting the website www.Justgiving.com/Sherpas4Xtreme-Everest or texting SFXE99 and a donation amount to 70070.

Thank you so much!