I’ve only just got back to London from several months in Australia, where I had the most incredible time running up and down the beach on the Goldcoast in Queensland.

It’s my first marathon and I’m running with Richard Branson for Virgin Unite youth charities and the End Fistula campaign – that’s really close to my heart.

I’ve always worked out up to four times a week, but I’m now in supergirl mode, and I don’t reckon I’ve ever been fitter or been able to eat more!

I ran 16 miles straight last weekend. It took a lot longer than expected because I had some knee trouble, but I’ve changed my shoes and sorted that out now. Completing that did wonders for my confidence.

The hardest thing about running in London is the cars and bikes. I almost got knocked over last week! You can get into such a trance running that you can forget to watch out for what’s going on around you!

I’ve been running in the evenings because I’ve been training with Holly and Sam Branson, and the rest of my friends in the Caterpillar team – although we have some friendly competition going, we’re happy to train together.

And they’re so much faster than me, I’m hardly a threat! I hope they manage all 32 of them being tied together.

These are my top 8 marathon training tips:

1. Technique
Whenever I get tired, I focus on that. It avoids getting an injury and is a really good distraction from how far you have left to run. Sometimes running blind helps, which means having no set time or path to follow. You can just check your miles later, although I’ve got lost a few times trying that!

2. Cross train
I am convinced that all the other workouts I do, benefit my running. I do Tracy Anderson Method with a girl called Maddie. There are so many exercises in this technique that strengthen the ham strings and the glutes. It also keeps your bum looking nice and pert, which is a bonus! And I do core and weight training with Efua Baker and John Rigby. My really long runs I do with Charlotte Thompson who is a very experienced marathon runner and trainer.

3. Pig out.
I worked out that I’d burnt off 1000 calories after my last run, which is basically half your daily intake. So make sure you’re eating enough. I generally eat well but I’m now eating tons and tons of whole wheat pasta. And the good thing is you can park any worries about ice cream and chocolate. It’s good for energy.

4. Energise
For short 30 minute runs I eat a bowl of porridge and two bananas. Honey for the fast natural energy and porridge as a slow burn carbohydrate.

5. Rest and play
Make sure you have at least two days rest each week. All of this is just a guideline; obviously you need to listen to your own body. If you’re injured, better to rest because you’ll only end up doing more harm than good.

6. Trainers
Give your shoes a rest too. Buy two pairs of decent running trainers, so you can ‘rest’ one. I’ve struggled to find the right pair of shoes but it is a really important part of the process (the most annoying part). I’ve settled on a pair of Brookes that are slightly too big. I’m working with a great Physio called Graeme Waterworth who’s taught me that if you get your technique right shoes are less of a problem. You should really put as much effort into stretching as you do your running. It’s investment into the marathon day.

7. Listen to your heart
A lot of people like to listen to music when they run, but it’s actually better to get into your own natural rhythm. The wrong tunes could have you running beyond your natural pace. My pace is about as fast as a slow snail!

8. Caught short!
Take your credit card, especially on a long run. I forgot mine and after dying of thirst, had to beg a lovely newsagent to give me a bottle of water a week back. I made a point of going back and paying him the pound I owed, though!

By Jessica Lewis

Source: ThatsFit