I've spent 17 weeks trying to follow a strict London Marathon training plan - here's what I learned

It's a big year for the London Marathon. After 36 years, organisers expect the event's millionth runner to cross the finish line on The Mall on Sunday, April 24. I'm hoping that I'll become one of those million (or one of those that follows soon after).

Over the last 17 weeks, I've been doing my best to follow a strict marathon training plan. It hasn't been easy.

Trying to juggle training for your first marathon with a full-time job and a hectic social life has left me feeling exhausted and in varying degrees of pain at times.

With the big day just round the corner, here are a few things that I've learned along the way.