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

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.

At Runner's World we try to practise what we preach, and so, along with following abstemious diets (well, we try), we also follow our training advice. That means regular speedwork, long runs, rest days and the dreaded hillwork. Repeatedly dragging

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

or another location of your choice.We can’t overemphasise the importance of running at your VO2max pace. Far too many runners think interval training means speedwork. No doubt you can and have run 400m intervals faster than your VO2max pace. Well, stop it