their experience of pre-competition stress. He says, "The world's best athletes set lots of different goals – if you go into a race with 15 goals, then you're sure to achieve at least some of them.' Set a variety of goals to make sure you come away happy. You could

training so you peak in time for a race. What, when and why?Until the Soviet sports scientists got on board, athletes trained at the same intensity all year round. As well as being deeply boring, the constant pressure and physiological demand on the body

very light racing month, with very few road options. But join a club and, whatever your standard, the wonderful world of cross-country opens up to you. Visit the UK Athletics site to find your nearest club. Of course, you could kick off the New