of perceived exertion (RPE).Using a scale of one to 10 (or one to 20), this method rates effort number one as complete rest and number 10 (or 20) as your absolute maximum intensity. Although this does take experience (and honesty!) it is an easy and efficient

faster for no extra effort. And many small gains can be made from improving your technique and training."Triathlon kit has evolved, too; the hi-tech fabrics and materials in your trisuit, and on your bike and running shoes, have been developed to maximise

and their coaches. The goal: to find programmes that provide the greatest return for the effort we are putting in.If the following three programmes were all guaranteed to improve your marathon time by 20 minutes, which one would you choose? (A) Run 100 miles a week

for several decades, and in at least 20 species of animals. His favourites are the wallabies and kangaroos that actually consume less oxygen when running fast than when running slowly. Weyand has run more than 60,000 miles himself, with a best 5K of 14:41, so

of breath at the end. Try short distances with short recoveries. For example, if you’re finding sessions too easy, you could run 6 x 400m with only 20-30 seconds rest. If this is still too easy, increase the number of repetitions. Alternatively, reduce

for this level of effort; you'll find yourself thinking, "I can do this for a while, but if I go any harder, I'm going to tire out quickly." It lies close to your 20-40K time-trial power/effort, or 10K run pace/effort.Your goal is to remain under this level

variety of strength efforts. On some days do 6-10 very short (10-20 secs) and very hard efforts with 6-10 times as much recovery between (eg 6x20 secs with 120 secs rest); on other days do efforts of 2-3 minutes that are hard but sustainable, at the same

Here are three simple sessions to improve different aspects of cycling. Alter recovery times or length of effort to suit your own fitness, and make them harder as you improve.Technique5x2mins slow pedalling, 3mins steady spin recovery.Think through

100m at race pace. CYCLE 20 minutes, checking gears, tyres etc.Evening RUN: 15 minutes with 3 x 30 seconds fast strides, alternating with 60 seconds recovery jog. Sun CYCLE: Warm-up: 10-15 minutes steady. Main: 1 hour 15 minutes easy spinning

:108:009:009:5010:25-10:4011:25-11:402:158:159:2010:1010:45-11:0011:45-12:002:208:309:4010:3011:05-11:2012:05-12:202:258:4510:0010:5011:25-11:4012:25-12:402:309:0010:2011:1511:45-12:0012:45-13:00Speedwork does not all have to be done on the track