THE KEY TO MARATHON SUCCESS MIND BODY MILEAGE

This April 22 more than 35,000 people will take to the roads of the capital to run The 32nd London Marathon. Well I am way fitter than I was but I don't think I will be doing much other than supporting from home.

My hair however has benefited from the luxury shampoo and conditioner that is recommended below to keep runners locks in good condition after running in all kinds of weather.


I happen to love lavender which is handy as I got a pure burst of it as I washed my hair, the shampoo is full of other goodies like honey, aloe and lemon all designed to detox and pamper my hair.
After use while wet, my hair felt really clean and lighter.
When dried it was definitely more shiny and feels sleek.


I may not be running a marathon but I will be running to the bathroom to use these again.


As you have heard many times before, ‘fail to plan, plan to fail’; not quite the mantra that will get you through that agonising yet elating 26.2 miles to that finish line, so what is the key to marathon success?

It’s all in the ‘mind, body and mileage’:

MIND

What is your mantra? Come up with something short and snappy with a rhythm that matches your stride, repeat it and gain confidence and strength as you run the words with each strike of the pavement
Edinburgh Marathoner, Victoria Newlands, 26, said, “My mantra was short and to the point ‘fit and strong’, I must have chanted it a million times throughout my training but it really helped come race day, especially for my final eight miles in to the weather warning wind, where I was having to run pretty much horizontally to the pavement!”

Body: First time or well seasoned marathoner, your body will really be put through its paces over the 16 weeks of training, let alone on race day itself! This includes your hair, lips and skin; so don’t let your beauty regime suffer, it’s all about balance! - Those race day photographers will be out in force so ensure you look your most fit and beautiful when showing your snaps off to friends and family with these essentials:

HAIR

Avoid the effects of pollution with B4U Colour, RRP £3.99

Pavement pounding takes its toll on your locks - pollutants will have built up on your hair and simply washing with a regular shampoo won’t eradicate them. To give your hair a deep clean use B4U Colour, proven to be a great way to wash out any residue from the hair. This clarifying treatment removes compacted residue caused by pollution, chlorine and use of shampoo, condition and styling products.

Keep those locks healthy with DGJ Organics Hangover Hair Shampoo and Conditioner, RRP £5.99 each

Hangover Hair is a morning-after life saver. These products feature lavender essential oil as the key ingredient, to refresh and revitalise dull and tired hair. The fresh lavender essential oils and vitamins packed into each bottle ensure hair is re-hydrated, detoxified and glossed – so stressed out tresses look, feel and smell fabulous.

No more knots with DGJ Organics Wild ‘n’ Crazy Detangle Spray, RRP £3.59.

It may be for kids, but this no-fuss detangling spray works wonders! With its tasty watermelon smell, distributed via a handy pump-spray bottle, brushing hair is no longer a drama! Just spritz onto the lengths of towel dried hair and comb through to unlock knots and improve manageability instantly.

Victoria comments “I really struggle with my thick long hair, especially if I wear it in a ponytail, I have found with the wind and rain it can work itself up in to a nest! The DGJOrganics detangler has been an absolute (barnett) lifesaver!”

Avoid sunburn with First Aid Beauty’s 5 in 1 Face Cream with SPF30, RRP £28

Before you set off, make sure your skin is hydrated with this multi-tasking moisturiser. The SPF30 will protect skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, so you don’t have to worry about crossing the finish line with a burnt face.

Look fresh as a daisy with First Aid Beauty Detox Eye Roller, RRP £18

Tired runners will be thankful of the Detox Eye Roller, which has a cool massaging rollerball that gently glides under the eye to release a perfect amount of lightweight serum. The serum contains caffeine, advanced peptides and witch hazel, which helps to reduce puffiness and dark circles, leaving your eyes revitalised, smoothed and brightened.

Avoid chapped lips with First Aid Beauty Lip Therapy, RRP £9

Lips can get dry and chapped while running so stick this handy, and easy-to-apply on the move, tube of Lip Therapy in your pocket for the race. Lip Therapy uses the healing power of FAB’s Ultra Repair Cream, to repair chapped lips and leave them nourished, moisturised and  protected.

Body:

Keep your skin hydrated with First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream, RRP £20

This ‘everything’ cream acts as a great barrier against the elements. This rich whipped cream with shea butter and colloidal oatmeal will hydrate your skin instantly, while protecting it. Apply over your face and hands so skin feels comfortably hydrated for the task ahead.

Feet

Rough skin remedy with Scholl Rough Skin Remover 75ml Rough and Dry Skin Treatment Scrub RRP £3.63 from www.thehealthcounter.com

Smooth away rough, dry skin fast with Scholl Rough Skin Remover. Scholl Rough Skin Remover is an intense complex of Natural Pumice and Fruit AHA's to remove rough, dry skin and activate cell renewal resulting in visibly softer, smoother skin.

Mileage

With mind and body now in tip top shape, all you need is to put in your miles. It’s only one foot in fron of the other right!? Be sure to know that if you have followed your training programme you WILL be ready on the day, so just sit back and enjoy the race day ride!

If you are running this year, good luck!

Stockists for B4U Colour: www.boots.com, Sainsbury’s, Superdrug and Tesco Extra.
Stockists for First Aid Beauty: selected Boots stores, www.boots.com, www.feelunique.com, www.beautybay.com, and www.bathandunwind.com
Stockist DGJ Organics : Waitrose www.waitrose.com