We only entered the Cornish marathon as we felt that the new Eden marathon might take away some of the gloss and probably entries from the long established grand prix event. However, a cosy run at Eden meant we looked forward to a tougher but rewarding challenge up at Pensilva.

After the previous days terrible weather, someone was smiling on us as after a six am wake up, the rain and wind disappeared and after the obligatory porridge we set off. I knew Wendy meant business as she took a bag of her own for a change.

After picking up Kathryn we all met at Mikes in Truro and set off in one car. Fine until we got to Dobwalls, when WENDY, Mikes sat nav, wanted to send us up a telegraph pole and then through somebody's pond. A quick couple of circuits of the new bypass and we ended up back where we started and decided WENDY had to go. HAL 9000 had a lingering death (movie link Helen) but we were merciful and a swift push of the button ended Skynets reign without the threat of I'll be Back.

Pensilva was soon found and we parked just in time before the Hayle wagon train arrived.

The Carn contingent soon assembled in the leisure centre. Mark running his first marathon since plimsoles were no longer worn. George just about over a bout of the suits and Nigel about to find out why they put this race at the very end of the 15 needed for immortality for 12 months.

We posed for our photos and somehow Sam Inigo Perkins manged to get in on every clubs team photo. A quick dash up the hill to warm up and back to the start area to calm the nerves with the usual totally trivial conversations with everyone else.

Off we go for the two laps round the village and the first of many occasions when Carns own Girls Aloud gave us tremendous support and almost immediately I have to keep reminding Wendy who is after a PB to run her own race and not chase the others around. We start off with nice brisk 9 minute miles for the first 4 before we start to hit the hills and drop it back to 10 minute miling. The field is nicely strung out now but Wendy still wants to chase after them all and she must be fed up of me pulling on her reins.

Nigel in the zone

The miles pass pretty quickly and before you know it all that hilly stuff is behind us and the lake run approaches. I couldn't believe I was wiping sweat off the forehead, not from running but the heat of the noon day sun. Approaching Bolventor we could her the girls before we could see them and when we did get to our pit stop Wendy decided to have a bit of a chat.

We dropped down into the Valley of death only there weren't 600 of us and then the boring bit started. It might be flat but that valley has to be one of the worst parts of a run. So many runners were feeling a tad lonely and cold at this stage and our conversations became a bit more serious as we plodded on. Wendy was by now starting to worry about her time but she had done the hard work early and so by the time Glynnis met us at 20 for the trot home it didn't matter that the dreaded wall hit her quickly.

Now some people have their personal trainers but Wendy had her own personal physician and after swallowing a gel and a touch of self doubts Dr Turners soothing words settled her again and the knowledge she could walk all the big hills to come and still do well calmed her and before long we had reached the top crossroads and the lovely long coast back down to the finish line.

She crossed in 4.36 just a few seconds behind Nigel and has got her PB by 24 minutes and at last the demons that haunted her marathon running had been exorcised and more good news followed when the results were posted and she had won first prize in her age group.

A good day out was finished with a meal and a couple of pints of the black stuff at the Victoria Inn.

Big, big thanks must go to the support crew of Girls Aloud (Lizzie, Carol and Glynnis) as well as Sandy and all the other clubs who gave valuable support to us all out there in particular Hayle and St Austell. An extra special thanks to Glynnis for the magic at 20 miles, Wendy would probably have given me an ear bashing the next 6 miles.

Well done to Mark, it must be like riding a bike, you never forget and Georgie who put aside his discomfort as they both gave the course a good run for its money. Nigel, well done mate you've had an outstanding year and you gritted through that last one and no-one can take it away from you.

Well done Wendy. A PB, first prize and first Carn lady. What a hat trick!

Now we take on a bit of hay and oats for the next month and then start all over again for Paris and London. And talking of London, good luck to all entrants in the club ballot which takes place at the AGM. Don't forget to be there.