Every year there are thousands of races in Britain, ranging from 5K charity jogs to ultra events and with options over trail, countryside, fell, track and road. Some runners cram in races every weekend, but if you want to maximise your performance and keep injury and bor...

.However, what lies behind this bragging is the hard fact that I took weekly swimming lessons for ten years and yet was never picked for any sort of competitive team. I may look beautiful in the water, but I am SLOW. A manatee rather than a shark, if you will

millions for charity while doing so. The course may well be too busy for PB-hunters to make their mark, but there’s so much else going on that it’ll put a smile on the face of even the most competitive runner. From a Red Arrows display to the sight

of Manchester Stadium start and finish.National Highlights... The Harvel 5, June 6 The Harvel 5 (Kent, June 6) This friendly but competitive, beautiful but tough race packs a lot into its five-mile out-and-back route. Tracing a path

complete with ups, downs, and some handy flat sections that’ll allow canny runners to pick up speed.With a relaxed, but competitive feel and a warm breeze, this could just be the perfect way to spend a summer evening – leave work behind and get away from

their experience of pre-competition stress. He says, "The world's best athletes set lots of different goals – if you go into a race with 15 goals, then you're sure to achieve at least some of them.' Set a variety of goals to make sure you come away happy. You could

disturbances, lowered libido, anaemia, lightheadedness, loss of motivation and lack of competitive drive.How can I get back on my feet?Now you've worked out what's wrong, it's time to get it sorted. Just a few tweaks to your training could help ensure a long