It all started when I completed the Race for Life in 2005. That was easy, I thought as I crossed the finish line in three quarters of an hour.

One of my lifetime ambitions was to complete the London Marathon, and it seemed the right time to apply. As a non-runner I knew the only way I would get a place would be through a charity, so I logged on to the marathon website to find out which charities offered places for the 2006 race.

After long discussions with my family we chose Get Kids Going, a charity that gets disabled children into sport. So, having completed the relevant paperwork and promising to raise a certain amount of money, all I needed to do now was get myself fit!

I got a dog in February who immediately became my official training partner. Every day, in all types of weather we would go out and do between 10 and 15 miles (dependant on the weather, as the dog didn't like running in torrential rain!).

Sponsorship money was coming in all the time and I was comfortable that I would raise the £1,500 required. As an employee of Barclays Bank I was lucky that they match fund monies raised by individuals up to £750, so this made my fund-raising task easier.

One of my colleagues from work, Niki, was also doing the race, and unfortunately had been in hospital and was unsure if she would be able to do the race. We agreed that we would take as long as we needed on the day.

Race day was soon upon us. I got up at 5.30am for breakfast before catching the train from Euston to the start line. The charity did a photo shoot, and then we made our way to the red start line. Surprise surprise - we were right at the back!

The crowd were amazing. The charity had wisely told us to put our names on our T-shirts, which was great because people were shouting "Come on Kath, you're doing well" etc.

Those weeks of training weren't enough - the pain set in at about the 16-mile mark and through to 20 miles was agonising. At 20 miles, however, the end seemed achievable and we found new energy from somewhere.

By now the barriers were being removed, which was really upsetting, and in some places you weren't sure which way to go (apart from the trail of empty water bottles on the ground).

When I got to Westminster tears started flowing as I knew the end was just down the Mall. The crowd were invaluable here as they were with you every step of the way.

Yes, I actually crossed the line! Wow what a feeling of sheer delight that was.

I was really glad to get back to the hotel for a long soak in the bath, and by the Tuesday evening my body had restored itself.

I couldn't have done it without the support of my family, everyone that sponsored me and mostly the crowd, so THANK YOU.
Kath Owen