The 5K is a perfect distance for the beginner looking to run their first race. But, given that it's halfway between middle and long distance, it's also a notoriously difficult distance for the experienced runner to master. Whichever camp you fall

: Training, Nutrition, Racing and Speedwork, Gear, GymPlus: Ten Things You Don't Have To Worry About

.Contact 0161 419 2500; www.adidas.com/ukBest For BeginnersNike Air Perseus – £60Why it's the best There are a number of great all-rounders out there that offer a combination of stability and cushioning to make them an excellent first shoe. Models like

time, there's some evidence that human skeletal muscle switches fibre types from "fast" to "slow" due to training. But how's a beginner to know which race length suits their biology best? Probably a case of experimenting with different distances. I

'll get a great workout.Running simultaneously to the main race is a 3K fun run for kids or beginners - a great opportunity to get the whole family out of the city for the evening and into the fresh air. Enter online now.The Devil's Chimney Chase

difference between the two in terms of training volume (though beginners might keep their long runs below 13 miles), and you'll also need a marathon-style approach to diet, rest, mental strength, and the all-important taper. Tapering for a half

This section is adapted from No Need For Speed - A Beginner's Guide To The Joy Of Running, by John Bingham. Buy this book!Many adult-onset athletes believe that living an active lifestyle would be easier if they could trade the body they have

this nausea? -- Why do I always feel nauseous after half-marathons?Why this post-race toilet problem?MarathonI need a doctor's certificate to race. Where can I go if my GP won't sign one? Should I do speedwork the day before a marathon? Is there an optimum

by former Olympian Jeff Galloway recommends that not only beginners, but also faster marathon runners, run just three to four days a week. Weekly mileage peaks at 31 to 41 miles, depending on your goal time. Galloway reports that 99 per cent of his plan

Cooper, aerobics pioneer3. Be a minuteman"The biggest mistake that new runners make is that they tend to think in mile increments – one mile, two miles, three miles. Beginners need to think in minutes, not miles."—Budd Coates, coach4. Go for good shoes