IT’S just days to go until the first ever Bournemouth Marathon Festival.

I've been expertly trained over many months by Bournemouth Fitness First personal trainer Karen Morison.

We've had tough gym sessions and more recently she has handed out fantastic guidance for my training schedule.

I've completed the longest distances ever achieved and thankfully still felt as though I had more to give. I've also improved my pace which I'm sure will help along the route.

Karen said she has been concentrating on a mixture of training techniques.

“Training has involved cardiovascular-specific endurance, strengthening the main important muscles and core to ensure they are healthy and strong and to reduce the risk of injury. We have also worked on flexibility.

“In more recent weeks we concentrated upping the frequency of runs to four times a week to prepare the body to go for a longer duration without rest.”

Karen has reminded me to stock up on low GI foods this week such as brown rice, protein and vegetables and ensure I drink plenty of fluids.

And on the day I should eat early to ensure I’ve digested it before the 8am start and bring some high-sugar snacks to take along the run such as gel snacks or Jelly Babies.

On Sunday I will be able to put all Karen's advice to use as I pound the seafront in Bournemouth in aid of the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation.

You can sponsor me at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/PaulaandAndy.

Good luck to everyone taking part over the marathon weekend.