All the training in the world could not prepare me for the challenge ahead, I thought I had done enough preparation for the blindfolded race but it proved to be tougher than expected.

The day had come, the start was minutes away and I was looking around at the other 40,000 runners eagerly awaiting to see the start line pass under their feet. The horn went and that was it, the blindfold was on, it was lights out and I was in the hands of my guide, Karl.

I did not even see the start line under my feet, people were brushing past my left shoulder, bumping me as they strived for the best start. Karl kept me on a tight lead for the first mile as we started to settle into a dark pace.

The roars of encouragement seemed to be ten times louder than normal but one spectator drowned them all as he said " look at him, he's got a blindfold on".

The next three miles went to plan as I had ran up to this distance blindfold before, during training. The soundsof feet striking the road and the crowd cheering seemed enhanced as my sight was blocked.

Five miles went by and we were on target with our 8 minute miling but then I caught the heels of someone in front of me which knocked me off my stride. I could hear my heart thumping in a little panic as I reached out waiting to run into someone but there was nothing there. Karl eased the nerves whilst guiding me back to space.

Itreminded me that this was not going to be an easy task.

Approaching mid point in the course the sun is shining and I felt hot, a little dizzy and a little sickly. Karl says a drink station is ahead and I ask him to grab a water a bottle. I feel Karl reach for a bottle and it happens again. I collide with a runner who stopped dead in front of me only this time the sense of panic increased as I felt my ankle twist.

Karl tugged the lead hard to pull me towards him as I stumble for the second time, once again I could feel my heart thumping, my hand reaching out for space.

With panic over and a little water on board we started to climb yet another hill. "Nearly there" said Karl, "keep going".

All I could do was keep pounding upwards, the sense of not being able to see made the hill hard work as I had no goal to aim for. You can feel the road under your feet level off at the top of the climb and this is a welcome feeling.

Mile 10 passes, the crowd still shout for us, the odd runner flies by shouting "well done lads, keep it up, only 3 miles to go".

My legs are now starting to tire, my eyes are now starting to ache, even though I had them closed, and a head ache was now starting to annoy me. I ran silent, as I was knew the last hill was going to be tough, and tried to prepare myself for another bout of climbing.

"A bit of a climb now" says Karl, you can feel the incline of the road start to raise and my legs tighten as we start to climb. Other runners sense I was tiring and pat me on the back as they struggle past which gives me the urge to soldier on.

Karl tells me people are walking now and I can hear others puffing their way up the hill. I try to pick up the pace, but struggle as now more of my body startsto ache, even my left arm was now aching as I had been clinging on to the lead, my lifeline, for over 1½ hours now.

We were at the top, a welcome relief and Karl urged me to run fast down the last hill which I did - to my surprise. As we turned the last corner I was rapidly running out of fuel, my left leg was dead, energy levels were at an all time low and my headache was now in full swing. I felt delirious, as if I was drunk, but my hearing had always seemed to be at a super level throughout the run.

With 800 yards to go my left leg was now numb and kept failing me, I could feel the lead tighten as Karl was urging me on. Nearly there I thought! I could feel the anxiety of the crowd as I somehow knew they were watching open mouthed willing me on.

My leg gives again and then I hear a voice saying "do you want a lift with him to the line?" as another Guide Dog runner grabs my arm to ensure I cross the line.

It was over, I had done it! As I gasped for air, Karl removed my blind fold to reveal the strong sun light to make sure I was ok but it made things worse.

I staggered around feeling sick, unable to focus and for a few seconds unable to breathe. A first aid crew was on standby and as I tried to focus. I could make out a wheelchair in front of me. Somehow the feeling of euphoria took over me, my eyes were beginning to focus, aches beginning to subside and I stood up straight and walked over to collect my medal thanking God that I was lucky enough have my sight and to be able to see my medal.

My good friend, Blind Dave, congratulates me having tried to put my self in his shoes, but after 'running blind' he is the one who deserves the credit. He is the one who will never see the start, the crowd, the road, the scenery, the famous land marks, the finish, his medal, his finishers
T-shirt but nevertheless, his disability does not stop him from doing what he loves to do....anything he wants to!

www.justgiving.com/blinddave