Teresa Doggett
Why I'm running: To raise money for the Irish Pilgrimage Trust, which brings pilgrims to Lourdes every year.
Age: 39.
Level of experience: I have done three Dublin City marathons and participate in a few other races during the year.
Best running achievement so far: For me the greatest achievement was getting out there and doing my first marathon.
Where I train: Mostly on the Trim ring road.
Estimated completion time: I really hope I can shave some time off my time last year and get it done in six hours.
If you told me 10 years ago that I'd be walking the marathon I'd have thought you were totally mad. Now I'm looking forward to doing my fourth marathon.
I'm physically disabled as a result of a fall when I was 15 months old. I lost power on the right side of my body and my balance was affected. Although I was quite independent for some time I went through a very sticky period in my 20s when I suffered from a complete burn out and for 10 years I was unable to get out and about independently.
But I made up my mind not to let it rule my life and to get back on track. I tried a walking stick but was delighted to discover a four-wheel walker.
I broke it in during one of my annual trips to Lourdes and I haven't looked back since. I was so chuffed to get legs back and my life back. Now me and my walker come as a package deal. You don't get me without it.
In 2003, the Special Olympics in Dublin inspired me to walk the marathon. It took me seven and a half hours. I was delighted with myself. Now I have the walking bug. I was up at 5.45am this morning to get out training. I walk on a main road in Trim so I have to get out early to beat the traffic. I have to say that people are very good. Many know me and beep and wave at me. Most importantly they let me walk across the road.
I train six days a week usually for around three hours. Today I did 10 miles and tomorrow I will do 15 miles. I don't follow a special diet I just eat healthy food and get plenty of sleep. I did the 10km event in the Phoenix Park in two and a half hours already this year and I'm now focusing on the half marathon in September. I walk on my own because no one can keep up with me. The crowd who clap along the street are great. During the marathon if things are hard I try to focus on why I'm doing it - to raise money for the Irish Pilgrimage Trust.
Anyone can do the marathon as long as they prepare well for it. It does take a lot out of me. At the end I'll be frozen with the cold, starving with the hunger and completely exhausted.
I look forward to the marathon every year. My friend told me that everyone has four good marathons in them. This is my fourth so it should be my last, but I've a feeling it won't be.