Gold medal-winning Olympian Matthew Pinsent, captain of the Times Flora pro.activ challenge team, answers your questions on how to make the most of the days up to the Flora London Marathon on April 23, as well as advice on how to tackle the race itself.

For more tips, visit our special London Marathon site and read the Times team's weblog

What would you suggest by way of preparation in the 72 hours leading up to the 23rd? Should you continue with your normal training regime, push yourself a little harder than normal or, alternatively, take a few days off to rest up before the big day? What will you be doing? Rob Kite, Richmond

Don't push harder! Getting even a niggle at that stage would be criminal. I've got at least three rest days out of the five before the marathon and the most I'll do on the running days will be an hour or so with some stretches. It's too late to get fitter or faster - best to just maintain what you have.

How important would you say leading a "healthy lifestyle" is in the weeks up to the marathon? I run six miles every weekday, and a half-marathon on Sundays (which almost kills me!) but have found it difficult to stick to healthy food and (most difficult of all) to keep off the booze. My wife suggests that if I eat nothing but pasta salad and become completely teetotal until April 23 my performance will dramatically improve. But isn't it a bit late for that now? Sean Henderson, Rugby

Six every day plus twelve at the weekend is a fair total and if you're doing all that then why not give it everything? Just take the drink out of the house and put it in a box in the garage. Give notice to your wife and your mates that there will be no booze and no takeaway till after it's all over and plan a party in the curry house in the week after the race. If you stick to the agreement they split your bill for the night between them - if you don't you pay for all theirs!

I go for weekly 16-mile runs on a Sunday morning, so I am hoping the "step up" to 26 miles will not be too tough (this will be my first marathon). Do you recommend that I try at least one 26-mile run before the marathon itself? How important is it to have a "practice run" over the same distance? David Farr, Wantage

I've just done a 22 last Sunday which was a little nervy and I made plenty of mistakes in pacing it but the confidence is boosted massively. I know I can get round the whole lot. I did a 16 about a month ago and the difference with the extra six was important. I'd say do something like a 20 - and quite soon, to give you at least a fortnight to taper.

What aspect of your training has left you most dissatisfied? And what has pleased - or surprised - you the most? Julie Parris, Hertford

Worst has been the hill training and sprinting. I simply haven't got quicker at them, but most satisfying has been the enjoyment of the training. I'm not exactly jumping out of bed to go training but evening runs in the sunshine are just brilliant.

I have entered the marathon and have received pledges of over £2,000 in sponsorship but am now getting cold feet. Training is not going well and I find it difficult to go for my daily runs (in fact, I have missed the last three days). To tell you the truth, I am completely dreading it. Did you ever experience moments in your rowing career when you thought "Sod this for a game of soldiers"? Any motivational tips? A. L., Brighton

Yes, but there were always people relying on me to go training. Whether it was crewmates, coaches or family, it was the only choice I had. I can't even begin to imagine telling people they should keep their sponsorship money. Can you? Running a marathon is not easy - that's what makes it a select and special club. I've never run before but I really want to be in it however difficult it is.

Two questions for you, Matthew: 1) What do you think is the best breakfast to have on the marathon morning, to give you the fuel you need for the run? 2) I have read too much conflicting literature on marathon fluid intake. What is the best thing to drink after the race, energy drinks or water? Charity Nyoni, St Neots, Cambridgeshire

I'm going for a staggered intake of cereal, bananas and energy bars through the morning and I'm taking some with me for the run. As long as I never feel full or bloated I can't imagine having too much in my system. After the race, again little and often. Sipping alternate sports drink and water works best for me. No names but the "official" drink is way too sweet for me. I use a cleaner tasting product with more salt afterwards.

How should I pace myself throughout the marathon - should I go really slowly at the beginning and then speed up, or go at a regular pace throughout? Jon Warden, London

I'm planning to split the race into quarters and be very careful with the first two. If I can run comfortably for three and a bit hours then I'll give it everything up the river to go faster, but in my experience starting quickly is folly.

Which have you found tougher - training for the marathon or training for the Olympic rowing finals? Andy Blair, Birmingham

The easiest question of them all. Rowing by far. Don't forget I was trying to be the first across the line in rowing I just want to cross the line on the 23rd!