Marathon buzz has Patrick chomping at the bit for another crack at London

Although I still have all the aches and pains in the world and look a real state trying to climb up or down the stairs, the smile on my face and the great feeling inside was well worth the 26.2 mile slog.

Getting to and completing the marathon has been a lifelong dream of mine and now after six/seven years of trying to get into the race and five long months of training, I can now proudly say I am a marathon runner.

This weekend has been my favourite in 2011 and certainly the highlight of all my running events.

Having arrived in London on Friday afternoon I headed straight for the registration Expo event at London Excel and excitedly met some of the Epilepsy Society crew.

After a short piece to camera explaining why this run was so important to me I made my way around the venue to see what treats were on offer and generally taking in the buzz of the packed room.

By Saturday I was nervous, but I was ready to run. I had been in London 24 hours and was longing for the start line.

As I couldn't race ahead of the elites though I settled for another trip to the Expo event where I helped dish out balloons and leaflets, mingled with more runners and generally made the most of marathon weekend.

Everyone involved with the Epilepsy Society was brilliant, the team itself and also the runners, many of whom I had never met before. It was such a great day and it really added to the occasion.

My support team of Hannah and Nicola then arrived in the afternoon and we went for a stroll around London, keeping the legs fresh, before heading for another dish of pasta!

That's right, I am sick of the stuff after six nights of carbs!

Then it was back to the hotel to prep my race number, put my timing tag on my shoes, run through my checklist and most importantly get some sleep.

The alarm went off on Sunday at 6.30am but I was already awake, this was it I thought: 'Today I run the London Marathon'.

I dashed downstairs, had my breakfast, a quick shower, collected my things and before I knew it it was 8am and I was walking to the start!

The closer I got to the start the better I felt and any nerves of nagging injuries went out the window as I mingled with other runners, finding out their stories as we put our final warm ups into place and waited for the start.

Runners, runners everywhere, tigers, rhinos, buses and wolves. Just what I expected on the start line for possibly the greatest marathon in the world.

And then the countdown came. 10, 9, 8... this is it!... 7, 6, 5, 4... oh my god!... 3, 2, 1, go... but we didn't!

17 minutes later I crossed the start line and then the dream began.

For most it isn't a dream to run 26.2 miles but for me it was the end of a very long journey.

It was a warm day in London but the first few miles felt really comfortable, I guess that is what the training is all about.

And it wasn't until I reached mile four that it sank in that I was actually running in the race.

By mile seven and eight I was well in my stride and my times were averaging 9 minute miles - perfect, just what I was aiming for.

As mile 10 and 11 approached I knew Nicola and Hannah would be lined with the masses cheering us all on.

And just as I crossed as roundabout I saw the banners we created on the Saturday and then I saw them, it was superb, and even though it was early in the race, it was such an adrenaline kick.

I was there and I was running and I would get around!

I passed through 11 and 12 miles and then came one of my most anticipated parts of the run - Tower Bridge - and it didn't let me down.

There were hundreds of people all the way along the bridge and for some reason it was quite overwhelming to have all the support with people cheering your name every step of the way.

As I went past the halfway mark my time sat at 2.03.00, not bad, just lift a little for 4 hours, but with the heat 4 hrs 30 was a more realistic aim as the temperature hit 20 degrees celsius.

But then a small disaster struck as I pulled up with my left calf muscle tightening as I approached mile 15.

This was not good and as I started walking again I felt really disappointed. How would I get round, my target time would not be reached and I had gone through all that training, for my calf to go.

I tried to pick myself up and started running again, but then my right calf went as well.

Refusing to get down in the dumps though I reverted to my initial goal - just get round and get a medal! - so that's what I did.

With great support from the crowd I adopted a run/walk strategy, running as far as my legs allowed and then walking a bit, picking up the running again and then slowing back down.

As 18 miles, Canary Wharf, approached I just wanted to finish inside five hours and the masses of people around the area really spurred me on.

They could see I was struggling but the encouragement really helped me speed up and before I knew it I had passed through 22 miles and I had only four left.

Homeward bound I knew the Epilepsy Society were at mile 25 and as I came close to them I put in a sprint - I didn't want them to see me struggling after all their hard work!

Once I was out of sight I had to slow down, I was in agony. And then I passed Westminster Abbey and Big Ben, headed up St James' Park and then came the 800m to go sign.

This was it, all I had waited for, the finish line was half a mile away!

So I plodded on and on and then Buckingham Palace came into sight. The crowds were still cheering and after a quick wave to the Queen I turned into the Mall, the home straight.

Just 385 yards to go. I could see the finish line now, and a quick glance to the left and I saw Nicola and Hannah in the grandstand!

Another whoop and cheer from them and quick wave over to the right and then I made a sprinting beeline for the finish.

And then it was done. I crossed the line and I had fulfilled a lifetime dream.

The medal came, I looked at my time 4.43.00 - later rounded down to 4.42.57 - and then I went faint. My body felt really weak, so after a quick finishing picture I headed to collect my bags, before getting assistance from St John Ambulance crew.

I phoned the family and then was reunited with Nicola and Hannah. It was so great to see them and share in my ecstasy with them.

As weak as I was, we made our way to the post-race reception with the Epilepsy Society where I received a massage and food and lots of congratulatory hugs of support.

It really was a super weekend and hopefully I will be back to do it all again next year.

To top the weekend off I was then treated to a VIP Clinic at the Nuffield Health Centre on Monday morning where the superb team talked me through recovery tactics and nutrition before I received a second, much needed massage.

I am still aching today, but the feeling I have inside makes it all worthwhile, as does knowing I have raised a huge chunk of money for the Epilepsy Society.