We began the marathon today north of Siena and mercifully the quadriceps injury felt a little better. With heavy strapping I marched the first 10miles in two hours, hoping to run later in the day - injury permitting. We passed through picture-perfect Chianti vineyards until the leg became extremely painful again. With 16.2 miles remaining I hobbled along, picking up a sore blister on the inside of my heel and after 6 and a half hours on the road I was really relieved to finish! We drove to a wonderful little campsite with a view over the Florence (Firenze) skyline and I have been icing the injury regularly. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the inflammation and damage to the muscle eases soon but the ‘Run home from Rome’ remains very much in jeopardy at this stage.