Paula Radcliffe: How to run your best marathon

2. Bananas

Sometimes I have one before I run. Sometimes I'll just have one in my bag for when I've finished. They're easy to mash up in lots of things, too. My kids love flapjacks made with mashed bananas.

3. Mixed nuts

Especially almonds – I love almonds and almond butter. It's good to have a handful of nuts straight after training. I think a little bit of salt is good so I have the dry roasted ones.

4. Salmon and other fish

I have a lot of salmon and fish in my diet because I love it. I justify it because it has a lot of good omegas (healthy fats) as well.

5. Dark chocolate

It has bioflavonoids and a bit of iron in it – that's my excuse!

1. Carbohydrate drinks

These are a good way to keep loading up on energy to the start of the race. You want one with some electrolytes in it as well.

2. Power bar

Some people like to have just a little bit of an energy bar. Jelly babies, dark chocolate or something similar are good to keep you going.

3. Old clothes or a bin liner

It's good to have something you can keep on until the last minute that you can throw away. You send your kit bag to the finish but you want to stay warm before the race.

4. Anti-chaffing cream

Rub it on your feet before you put your shoes on. Apply it to any other areas that may rub because it's going to make the experience more comfortable.

1. Be more hydrated

We say roughly an extra litre for every hour that you train in hot conditions. So if you're training every day, you need to be getting in almost an extra litre every day.

2. Consume plenty of protein as well as carbs

You're going to need to tweak your diet and pay more attention to carbohydrate and protein because you're building muscle and breaking it down. People always think about the carbs and don't think so much about the protein side of it.

3. Sleep

You need more sleep and more recovery time!

Q: What are the two most common mistakes new runners make and how can they avoid them?

1. Running in the wrong shoes

It's not the ones that look cool or have the prettiest colours. It's the ones that suit your running style. Go to a specialist store, run up and down, have them assess whether you're a pronator, supinator or neutral and then get the shoe that's right for you. It's going to reduce injury risk massively.

2. Pace yourself and build up the training gradually

Don't just jump in because it's the first week, being all enthusiastic and trying to do everything. Don't increase distance or time more than 10% a week.

Q: What is the one thing you can do on race day to get across the finish line that bit faster?

1. Don't over-stress it. Run how you feel and enjoy the atmosphere

Yes, you need to pace yourself but don’t over-analyse. Take in the atmosphere and tune into yourself. Run according to your instincts and what you feel is the right pace because the atmosphere will lift you on the day. If you look at your watch thinking, 'Oh, that mile was 10 seconds faster than I should have done it,' you'll get stressed. Tune into your body and stay focused. Know that everybody has bad moments in a marathon so don't panic when you get to them. You've just got to get through it and then you'll be fine.