My marathon, Steve Reilly: 41 days to go
Why I'm running: To raise money for St James and St Luke's hospitals where I was so well looked after when I was sick with Hodgkin's disease.
I'm also doing it for my own self-achievement.
Age: 23.
Level of experience: None. This is my first marathon and my first experience of running of any kind.
Best running achievement: Running to the local shop in two minutes flat.
Where I train: I train on the Carlow-Rosslare road.
Estimated completion time: I hope to make it in around 3 hours 30mins.
When I was 18 I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease and I was in and out of St James and St Luke's hospitals for four years. I went into remission about a year ago and since then I've wanted to do something for the wonderful people who looked after me when I was ill. The marathon was the first thing that popped into my head. I applied and joined the Adidas Dublin marathon running team for first-time marathon runners.
Although most of them have running experience, none of them has run a marathon before. I'm a little daunted because I have no running experience at all except for running down to the local shop.
The organisers have given us a training schedule as well as access to a physio, a mentor, Catriona McKiernan, and a coach.
They say that once you get half or three-quarters of the way through, the momentum and the crowd atmosphere will take you the rest of the way.
My training involves doing about 22 miles a week. I do seven-mile walks and three and four-mile runs.
My dad used to run marathons for years but gave up when he was 32. He has been giving me tips and hints and told me how to run and how to pace myself. He said to keep going and to only think of the finishing line.
I'm on a high-protein, high-carb, low-fat diet and I have even managed to loose a bit of weight.
I never ran before and never realised just how easy it gets. People also respect you for what you're doing. When I'm out training, lots of people beep and wave at me and that gives me a kick.
When I first said I was going to do the marathon some of my friends said they'd give me €100 when I finished the race. Now that they see I'm taking it seriously I think they are worried.
My main motivation is to give something back to the hospitals and I hope to raise around €1,000.
However, I think I will get a real sense of achievement from doing something most people would never dream of doing.
It will be another milestone on my path of life.