if necessary. People who run through minor injuries are taking a calculated risk, and every now and then they are going to be caught out and turn a niggle into a longer term condition. – popsiderScores of injury-avoidance tipsI don't think that running slower
This week's problem is one that many runners will recognise: How do you cope with being a "beginner" again after injury?"I used to be a half-decent runner. I've run seven marathons with a PB of 3:36, and loads of half marathons and 10Ks
training with running and cross-training over a period of time is the way to build fitness and avoid injury over the long term. – Mike HawesIt will put extra strain on the body and probably make you change your running style. I do run with a pack sometimes
. It does help me to avoid some injuries, but it makes me extremely susceptible to tight calves and stress fractures of the metatarsals. The natural method of shock absorbtion happens during the heel strike phase, which obviously you don't benefit from as a
This week's question was emailed to us by forum member Little T, who gets a painful stitch every time she runs."I've just returned to running after four months off with an injury. Unfortunately, I'm getting really bad stitch each time I run – always
This week's question comes from a forum member whose event schedule is looking a bit crowded..."I'm doing the Edinburgh Marathon on 27 May. It's my first marathon, and the training is going OK, though I had two weeks off due to injury. I've got
about 30 mins to my planned time, thanks to a couple of vomit stops. It was really unpleasant, so is best avoided. Moderate and you will be fine. For my last marathon I had my sensible head on and stopped at two pints the night before the race
with mild asthma. You just keep going, and if your chest tightens up you either slow down or stop for a little while. I can avoid wheezing by running slowly – and, as my fitness improves, my threshold for wheezing improves too. The key is to build up slowly
(hills) and one long distance run. The hills have made quite a difference in building up leg strength. We avoid boredom by not planning our routes too much and just head off down various roads. We have added a few miles by getting lost on occasions. We
never either warmed up or down. Ever. I know this goes against some people's principles, but I don't care. I've never missed a run through injury, because I've never been injured. I've never even had a "niggle". I just go out the door, run, get home
