Honestly, Big Ben never looked so good as at 25 miles.

Liam (thoughtfully, looking at my protein bottle), ‘Daddy, when you die, can I have this?’

It all got a little embarrassing when I tried to hug the finish line camera

And in a beautiful coincidence, my Uber driver who sped me from the finish to Heathrow was Sadruddin, from Mazar-i-Sharif, gentle and with a wealth of stories.

Since settling in Uxbridge, his daughter has qualified as an opthamologist, his wife as an accountant. Afghans are

Pádraig Belton Thank you so much for supporting us Pádraig 💚 - a huge congratulations on your run and smashing your target! ✨

Fist bumps at the finish w all who finished near me.

Passed someone from Ireland at mile 5, and we’d the quick chats as Gaeilge. (‘Dia dhuit!’ ‘Nach bhfuill sé go h-álainn?’ ‘Go h-álainn ar fad!’ ‘Go h-álainn. Ar. Fad.)

Also, I sprint finished vs an orange.

Loved every step 🥰

“There’ll be no stopping you now,’ said the FedEx fella bringing my running shoes for Sunday, “we’ll be looking out for you”. Because Ireland is small, and lovely.