this is usually the left foot. The best way to prevent the pain, though, is to breathe from the stomach, using the diaphragm, rather than the chest muscles. Try lying on your back with a book on your stomach. As you breathe in, concentrate on making the book rise

or pain. The result is improved efficiency and movement. Injury preventionIf you consider how many times your feet make contact with the ground during a run, it makes sense that the tighter you are the more stress your body has to deal with. Flexible

stupid, like doing a fell race in a road shoe.4. Ignoring Pain Runners accept pain as part of the sport. But not all pain is the same. You have to learn to separate the good pain, associated with the positive progression of your fitness, from the bad pain

big race with a big atmosphere. Much of that atmosphere is created by the Japanese, who provide the majority of the 30,000 runners in the field, most of the supporters and the event’s big sponsors. Although the race starts painfully early

, then the endorphins took effect. I went through a difficult patch psychologically quite early on, but by the time I reached Tower Bridge I was fine again; looking out for faster Forumites coming back on the other side of the road kept me running until Mile 15. After

prescribed and soon he was back to pain-free running. Cost of treatment Most people consult an osteopath privately. But, as with chiropractic treatment, it is available occasionally on the NHS. Contacts The Osteopathic Sports Care Association; 0870-601 0037

race. The crowd were great, really kept my mind focused. I did make it in 3.44. The relief to finish was enormous. I cried, every one of those last 13 miles was painful. The last 2k took me 14mins (How slow is that). Will I be back for more: Never say

. My last race leading up to the marathon was a half-marathon disaster - the pain from my foot slowed me to a not-so-speedy jog.During the race, St. John's were very kind in tending blisters on my good foot, although did look at me a bit strange when I

I stop at traffic lights. Strange as it may sound, I really can't wait to test how fast I can go on my Genesis Equilibrium 10. I'm expecting sweat, pain and lycra, but my mantra is simple: bring it on!Tomorrow's event marks not only my first cycle

and down but in 2009 I did a Race for Life raising money for Cancer Research. Years before I had done the same race every year as my sister-in-law died of breast cancer in her twenties. After that I always ran in her memory, with her name on my back