Q This may sound silly, but I have real problems drinking during races. Usually I grab a cup, spill most of the contents as I’m picking it up, get one tiny slurp of water and then spill the rest down the front of my vest. Any tips to help me

. If your shoes feel uncomfortable, stop and refit them. A minute lost now could save you 15 miles of painful blistering later on.Miles 10-13 You have a stitch. Try holding some deep breaths for a few seconds before exhaling. Alternatively, stop running

to a fast recovery. (Some of the sections are geared towards the London Marathon, but you can carry the principles anywhere.)MondayMind Focus on miles 1-5 of the Marathon. Prepare for taking anywhere from 2-10 minutes to cross the start line

:A long run.An interval session, with repetitions of 400m-1000m.A tempo run of 20 minutes or 4 x 1 mile combined with a healthy diet, a high fluid intake and a regular stretching routine.Q: Is it worth using drinks stations during a 10K?A:That depends

equal parts orange juice and water, plus a pinch of salt.Drink 100-200ml of an isotonic solution every 10-15 minutes; a standard 750ml bottle containing an isotonic drink should see most people through 50-75 minutes of training. You can have solid food

Q I was disappointed to get cramp at the 15-mile mark during a recent marathon. In the 48 hours before the race, I consumed plenty of carbohydrates and drank approximately four to five litres of water. During the race I drank plenty of water

drink 1000ml per hour for very long periods. The symptoms you describe are not those of hyponatraemia; rather they are those of someone with an intolerance to having anything in their stomach during exercise. I suggest testing different types

early in the race. Continue to regularly drink small amounts. Most athletes can tolerate 200-300ml every 15-20 mins but this will vary with the intensity of the exercise. You are more likely to drink them if the drinks are cool, palatable and easily

Q I have a problem that seems to affect me after finishing half-marathons: I feel queasy and don’t want to eat or drink. The feeling seems to pass if I lie down for an hour or so. As advised, I always try to take on water at each drinks station. Do

of carbohydrate refuelling throughout the day.10. Ensure a good variety of foods in the 24-hour recovery period to help support your immune system and protect you from oxidative stress caused by free radicals.11. Replace 150-200 per cent of fluid losses over a 2