The Race is on - This is it -Virgin London Marathon here I come!!!

[suzybenj]

I can't quite believe that Sunday is the big day - after all the trepidation of last June deciding to enter and then putting my money where my mouth is. So this is my last post before the big day. I will try to post on Facebook - but i am pretty lame in that dept.

How am I feeling - strangely after all the anxiety -Zen like calm. I really have come out the other side of one of the best life journey's I have ever had. I have had so many worries, so many times wanting to give up, been so sore at times and crushing crisis of confidence. So far out of my comfort zone. But I have got here in one piece and I feel as though the race is a small piece of that journey. Quite amazing really- so currently calm - but anticipatory. Make no mistake I want that medal and I want to run - but I feel I have been given a gift and I am at peace with myself.

My heart is full and huge and has grown from all the fantastic support I have had-it is a big part of my visual get round imagery.

Bags packed - one with running gear, one with clothes. Near panic couldn't find my fav running socks- catastrophe! Last additions to music - Valerie, unstoppable and The Jam.

Many thanks to all of you for your support and good wishes- it has meant the world

Happy running and thanks for reading.xx

PS - A few of you along the way have asked me for my fund-raising page - which i have resisted - but if you wish to support me my just giving page link is uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Su...

[amberduck Graduate]

Wow - good luck! You sound well prepared and in a great place, I am sure you will storm it!

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to amberduck]

Thank you - storm is the right word. It feels like the calm before the storm

[Fitfor60 Graduate]

You have had an amazing journey Suzy and I am sure you will have a fantastic time on sun . I am so pleased that you are calm and sounds like your head is in an excellent place for a great run . Fingers crossed for good weather conditions . They say you appreciate things that you have to work for and you have really worked for this so be proud of what you gave achieved to get this far and just go out and enjoy yourself Can't wait to see pic of your medal Go girl

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to Fitfor60]

aaah - thank you- much appreciated. Weather looks warm for sun - too warm maybe....

[Rockette]

All the best you are well prepared & I'm sure you will kick it's ass !

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to Rockette]

You know that is how I feel - I am on it!!

[notbad Graduate]

You're a real c25k star Suzy, will be cheering you on in spirit on Sunday.

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to notbad]

thank you - it was after all C25k that got me onto this running lark....and look where it has got me....

[ju-ju- Graduate]

Marathon Queen...what a journey...I'm so excited for you, its going to be amazing....we will be right behind you and with you cheering you on...go nail that marathon

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to ju-ju-]

Tahnk you - i hope so

[runningnearbeirut Graduate]

Have a great run. Looking forward to reading all about it once you've recovered

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to runningnearbeirut]

Ha ha - yes have recovery massage booked and week off work

[kickibro Graduate]

Wow! I am so impressed. I think I will need to do at least one Marathon in my life. I shall put it on my bucket list

Good luck and I hope you enjoy everything about the day xxx

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to kickibro]

I would recommend doing it- if it is something that appeals. I for one never thought it would have appealed to me - but once the decision was made it was like a switch going over in my brain

[Hidden]

Wishing you all the very best for Sunday - you'll do it and I will be joining the others on this site in cheering you on.

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your good wishes

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

We will all be cheering you on, you know that. We are all soooooo proud of you getting there. Go have fun and enjoy yourself. Good luck.

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

thank you- that is fantastic support

[Hidden]

Good luck Suzy! I'm sure it will be the experience of a lifetime soak up every second!

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Tahnks -I will

[Hidden]

Best of luck: you will be amazing

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you

[no-excuse Graduate]

Wishing you all the best, we are your virtual cheerleaders! Have fun x

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to no-excuse]

thank you for your support

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to suzybenj]

And thank you for your generous support-very kind.x

[c4ts Graduate]

Have a lovely time, and just let us all know on here how you get on, although I think I will be checking your progress on Virgin's website.

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to c4ts]

thank you for your support - and thank you for visiting virgin - much appreciated

[Prin]

Good luck Suzie! Can't wait to hear all about it well done on raising so much, have added in a little more for youxxx

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to Prin]

Thank you Prin - that is very kind and generous.xx

[runningnotwalking Graduate]

Mo should watch out !

Very envious - have a great time and good luck !

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to runningnotwalking]

Thank you RNW - I have him in my sights

[aliboo70]

good luck Suzibenj! will be stuck at work so won't be able to watch it on tv but hopefully will get to see some highlights later! enjoy yourself and can't wait to see the medal and victory post!

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to aliboo70]

Aliboo - thank you so much - -very kind and generous - much appreciated .xxx

[wilmacgh Graduate]

Great blog from another champion for team C25k! All the best for tomorrow. Lots of virtual cheering from this community too.

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to wilmacgh]

Thanks for that - never thought of myself of as champion - but I quite the thought - maybe....

[louisew99 Graduate]

The very best of luck, I hope you get to enjoy the experience, you are an inspiration to all C25Kers.

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to louisew99]

Thank you for support

[danzargo Graduate]

Get you! Am in awe of your spirit and you sound like you're in the right "place" mentally. Sending very best wishes!

Mrs dan and I are going as spectators to cheer on a friend who is also running it so I will also be cheering YOU on too!!

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to danzargo]

Thanks day-z. I will hear you loud and clear

[Yeshe Graduate]

amazing to get to where you are! Congratulations for the past year of training for tomorrow. I can't wait to hear how it went and see that medal! Have a great run!

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to Yeshe]

Thanks-I counting on the fact that 98.5 percent of people who start-finish. I hope t o post up pic of me with medal

[Windswept1 Graduate]

Rooting for you and hope to be following a friend on the website. You may have posted it before but what is your number so I can follow you too?

It sounds a fantastic event.

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to Windswept1]

39809-thanks for following. I have very reluctantly given this out to folk. But it is about time I nailed my colours to the mast. My aim is five hours. But it is warm tomorrow -so to finish intact -is good enough

[SarahP0003 Graduate]

How exciting!! All the best for a great run, enjoy it x

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to SarahP0003]

Thank you for your good wishesx

[Lily4 Graduate]

Wishing you all the best! Have a brilliant run!

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to Lily4]

Lily-what a lovely name. Thank you for your good wishes and your generosity. Xx

[Tready Graduate]

Have a brilliant day. We are all running with you in spirit

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to Tready]

Thanks tready-the virtual running mates-is a big part of keeping me going

[LMS2110 Graduate]

Can't make it to London after all .... Will look out for you on TV, wearing my c25K shirt, and whoop whooping you along all the way. You know that every possible good wish for luck, soft pavements, and a gentle breeze behind you comes from us all. Have fun xxx

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to LMS2110]

Aah whoop whoop -thank you. I will have that in my thoughts. This support is amazing and means so much.x

[Hennith Graduate]

Will be thinking of you as I watch on TV. Have a wonderful day!

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to Hennith]

Thanks hennith

[Spanner67 Graduate]

Awesome! You sound so 'together' I'm sure you will kick some butt tomorrow! I'll be thinking of you and wish you all the very best for a fab day xx

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to Spanner67]

Thank you-gremlin nerves are starting to set in now. Calm calm....

[GoogleMe Graduate]

Will be thinking of you. Have a great time whatever happens.

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to GoogleMe]

Thanks great advice-it has been a great experience

[lizziebeth57 Graduate]

Will be cheering you on and hope you have the best run of your life! You are truly an inspiration, and have another whoop whoop from me x

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to lizziebeth57]

Thank you so much -this support today is amazing. And thank you for your generosity -very kind

[Aftabs Graduate]

I hope it goes well for you and you will have all of us cheering you on!

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to Aftabs]

Thanks

[cathryn14 Graduate]

Congratulations on getting this far- an inspiration to many! Hope Sunday goes well and you can enjoy the event. Looking forward to reading your next post . Good luck!

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to cathryn14]

Thanks Cathryn

[Carolecal]

So well done for getting this far, I am in awe of you. Wishing you the very best of luck for the Big One tomorrow......just soak up all the amazing atmosphere.....and ENJOY xx

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to Carolecal]

Thanks for your wishes CC-I will try to remember to enjoy it

[sfb350 Graduate]

I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed Brighton last week, it's a fantastic experience. I was calm until the day before - I felt ill and shaky and didn't recognize it as nerves until it all got better once I started "racing". Will be thinking of you tomorrow and cheering you on (not to mention wishing I was doing it too !)

[suzybenj Graduate in reply to sfb350]

Thanks-forgotten how busy and over stimulating London is. Feel a bit knocked now. So cup of tea and lie down. Wasn't nervous -but can feel ' what am I doing here' feeling coming on. If I ignore it -it might go away

[Tinyrun Graduate]

Good luck. What an inspiration you are. Will be thinking of you. It's such a great event.

[funrunner]

Congratulations! I was inspired by watching the marathon today and if I have the balls I will be entering the ballot for next year. EEK!