This extract is from The Runner's World Complete Book of Running by RW USA Editor Amby Burfoot. You can now preview it, free, for two weeks without risk or obligation. All running programmes for beginners are the same: they move you from walking

enough sport. There's only one thing that's bothering you: if running's so simple, why do you have so many questions? You're not alone.Every beginner worries about how to get started and has a lot to ask - about how to get motivated, what to eat, how

As runners, we all want to increase our endurance, but we’re often referring to different things. While the beginner often wants to go further – from two miles to four miles, then to six, more experienced runners don’t see much point in running

As runners, we all want to increase our endurance, but we’re often referring to different things. While the beginner often wants to go further – from two miles to four miles, then to six, more experienced runners don’t see much point in running

, enjoyable (and effective) way to run. It’s worth a try, isn’t it? Amby Burfoot is Editor of Runner's World US.

. Nor should you use the table to pick out some illusory or goal pace. You must train at the pace calculated from your current racing performance. Only after your race performances improve should you drop down to faster training paces.While training