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

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

(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

on the trot, some hard, some easy, then do a day at the gym. Sometimes when at the gym I blast my upper body and give my lower body a complete rest, which it doesn't half need. – Little LizardPlans some peaks and troughsYou can avoid this problem in future

in the same week.– Red Haired Girl Down UnderDon't overdo itIf you are that pooped from the run, you are probably overdoing it. Train carefully and slowly, then build intensity, speed and distance gradually. That way you will avoid injury and stay motivated