AFTER 17 weeks of training I finally feel like I am getting somewhere with my aim to complete the marathon.

This weekend has been superb both on the running front and on the fundraising front and I have lots of people to thank for that!

When I blogged last week, one of my colleagues scoffed at my intro of 'wow, that's all I can really say about today's 10 mile race in Maryport' as I then went on to write about 500 words about it!

So this week, I'll try to be brief, but there is so much to tell.

Friday night was my 70s and 80s night and I dressed as Freddie Mercury - who else could I have been!?!

The night was a huge success as we had lots of neon outfits, Madonna, the Smurfs, Yogi Bear, Superwoman and many, many more.

And on the money front we raised £790 for the Epilepsy Society - or £590 after expenses!

It was great to have so much support - from businesses who donated raffle/auction prizes, and from those who turned up and spent their money!

Following on from Friday, my attention turned to the race itself and so I was up again this morning at 6am as I prepped for an 18 mile run - scary stuff folks!

My furthest previous distance was the 15 miles I blogged about a few weeks ago, so this was brand new territory.

But I headed off and thankfully the sun showed its face for most of the run.

After negotiating hills in Sedgwick and Crosscrake, I soon meandered my way to the Crooklands roundabout and was darting back through Endmoor.

Suddenly I felt the need for the toilet. With another seven miles to run I was sure I would have to stop somewhere!

Instead I ran on, hoping the feeling would ebb away again. But to no prevail.

Thankfully I didn't 'do a Paula', but stopped around the 12 mile mark and borrowed someone's loo.

I'll spare you the niceties, but I was soon on my way again, and running in a good time, with 14 miles completed in under two hours.

The so called 'wall' still hadn't arrived, it was weird.

I kept waiting and waiting, as I passed through Oxenholme, past ASDA, and then I was back in Kendal.

Then came the wall! But it wasn't a running wall, it was Parkside Road!

Why did I factor in a mile long climb at mile 16? Well that was stupid, and my legs made sure I knew it.

But to the top of the hill I went and before I knew it I had rounded mile 17 and approached my finishing line - Romney Road roundabout.

By the time I reached it though my knees had seized up and I was running fairly slowly, but I plodded on and reached my goal in 2 hours 45 mins - nine minute miles!

I couldn't believe it. A wave of relief swept over me - probably from the party going well, the fact I had finished 18 miles and the fact I wasn't dead, even though I felt like I should be.

So I started crying. The pure emotion from a hectic four months all started to spill out as well as a fear for my left knee and it just reminded me why I am doing it all.

As most of you know now I am running for the Epilepsy Society in support of my sister Siobhan, but even more than that, my reason for running the marathon to the best of my ability is that it will be the only one I do.

Six years ago I dislocated my left knee for a second time and was told to stop running by my consultant. Having discussed marathon options we decided I would be best to do one and then stop, rather than none and regretting it in 50 years or doing 30 and not being able to walk in 50 years.

As you can guess, I opted for one and stop. Today's knee issues brought that all home to me again with my knee causing me considerable pain this evening.

It is frustrating I won't be able to do more marathons but that's why I have to give it my all and with 18 miles under my belt I only need to add on another eight.

Yes, I did just say that, and four months ago I'd have told you to put me in a straitjacket for that sort of comment, but now I'm just six weeks from the race and I'm more determined than ever to cross the finish line.

I would ideally love to run the whole 26.2 miles, but the 18 miles really took it out of my body and I know my knees could struggle on the day, but I'll certainly be doing all I can to get round!

Once again I'd just like to say a huge thank you for all the support and to the following auction/raffle contributors on Friday night: Merewood Hotel, Castle Green Hotel, Glynis Bland Photography, Lakes Leisure, Kendal Town FC, Wheelbase, Stuart Clarke, The Brewery Arts Centre, Bluefin Insurance, Tom Roe and Sir Tom Finney, Signature Gallery, James Ellison, New Moon, Miles Thompson Wetherspoons, Ed's Hairdressing, Primark, Spoilt4Perfumes, Country Harvest, Lakeland, ASDA, Boots and lastly, but by no means least to The Park and their staff for all their support and hard work on the night.