I, personally am over the moon with my efforts and believe it's the consistency and hard work that really makes it all come together on the day. 

I would like to extend a HUGE thankyou from myself and other marathoners (I am sure I am speaking on behalf of a lot of people) to the PCRG cheer squad.  It was just amazing to see the amount of support we were given from either people who were there to specifically cheer us on or those incredible people who had just run the half marathon and stayed around to bring us home. I would love to be able to thank each and everyone of them personally but by the time I hit them it was a bit of a blur and I would hate to miss anyone out.  However, a special thanks must go to Candy and Fi Galloway who were on the course during that really tough back end giving us smiles and telling us what legends we were.  And the encouragement is REAL - it's not just a team of people yelling out "Go Cassie" - it's heart felt, gut wrenching enthusiasm.   

As I came in towards the finish after the 42k mark and hit that "sea of red" cheer squad and you Pat personally ran along side me - I can't put into words how much that meant to me and how worthwhile it made the whole run.  It's funny but I haven't really reflected on it until today and it gives me goosebumps and brings a tear to my eye.     

More than ever after yesterday - I feel so privileged to be a part of your team at PCRG.  I have never in my life achieved the things that I have been able to achieve since joining your group and mixing with such fantastic people who give me such a warm sense of belonging.  To run is one thing but to WANT to run and enjoy it so much changes every aspect of your life.   

Last but not least to the members of the Tammy Booth Running Group who I have done all of my training with.  Again I have never come across such an amazing group of special people.  I could go on and on about these guys but I think each of them knows what a special part they have played in helping me achieve my goals to date.  And I look forward to doing it all again with them. 

I recently read "Trying to explain running a marathon to someone that doesn't run is like trying to explain a colour to a blind man......." 

Thanks for everything Pat

Cassie Smith