I’ll keep it short tonight. It’s a bit of a surprise to me myself that I am still awake. So, Cian and I finished the Haspa Hamburg Marathon in style. It was a perfect day for running: cold and overcast most of the day. And what a way to see the city. The run was pretty flat, a few ups and downs but no hills at all.

When Cian and I talked about our experience of the run, I could not believe how similar, almost identical it was. The first half easy, enjoyable, the kilometres (or miles, in Cian’s case) just slipped by. We both knew we could do 32km, and then it would be only another ten. And what are ten kilometres! Turned out that the last stretch, the last 3km were different. Someone had made them longer. They just went on and on and on. The main difference between our experiences was that I made the enjoyment last an hour longer. Cian did a wonderful time, really really good. So good he is going to sign up for Dublin, and try it a second time.

I am really grateful that when I mentioned that I was thinking of doing the marathon, I said he would join – making the decision whether I was going to do it or not for me.

There were several points, especially towards the end, when I wondered could I really stick it; what was it all for.

Having finished, I know. I proved to myself that I will never give up. Not in a marathon, and never in more important matters. When I thought I had reached the end of my strength and power, there was more.