-year-old, this is all new territory for me. Thank you! " – Mouse.Your best answersStock up on carbs beforehandBefore an endurance run I always build my glycogen stores by packing in the carbs for two days before - brown pasta, brown rice, potatoes, whole cereals

before my first marathon (Amsterdam 2006), I averaged three runs per week and a total weekly mileage of about 25 miles. I did the marathon in 2:57. A typical running week for me at that time involved one track session, one hilly run and one long run

easier though - hills can be daunting and exhausting opponents, especially for beginners. What advice can you offer this week’s questioner as she prepares to tackle her first climbs?"I’ve been training for three months now and did a 5K in June. Now I

picking up the pace and eventually the walking breaks went. A few years on, I'm now a marathon runner and gone from a size 14 to between an 8 and a 10. So stick at it, it's worth it in the end. Oh, and by the way,you'll burn a lot more calories outside

This week’s questioner has finally decided to kick the weed in order to improve her running times. Trouble is, she’s worried the cravings will get the better of her and she’ll lapse back into old habits. What’s your advice to help keep her motivated

and philosophical were your answers to this week’s question that the traditional Reader to Reader advice-giving format just wouldn’t do them justice. Nevertheless, we’ve done our best to summarise the main points from the thread and we think you'll agree the result