can see they’re supporting you, or use the time-honoured cake sale to raise some extra funds. Or you could get your hands dirty and offer to wash people’s cars or windows.5. Ask the experts Most charities are well-versed in the art of fundraising

Heaven forbid that you might not always take RW's expert coaching advice as gospel. But there's something reassuring about other runners' first-hand experiences, too, is there not?So... here's a first instalment of some of the most practical

to hit my splits or die trying. Thanks to that veteran marathoner's advice, I did neither. I ended up running a great race. The amazing thing is, I've remembered his tip in every windy race and work-out I've done since. That's the thing about a great

experts recommend that you never schedule hard sessions two days in a row. Give yourself at least one day of easy running or rest between hard efforts. If you run fast one day, train slowly the next. If you do a long run one day, plan a short one

lose it?We're all familiar with that sharp, stabbing pain at the bottom of the ribcage that comes on the run. We're all familiar, too, with contorting ourselves as we try to stretch the pain away. However, what we, and the experts, are less familiar

could sideline you for weeks. Improved flexibility also shortens recovery time; looser muscles are more receptive to glycogen replacement, which accelerates healing, says Richard Holt, expert running coach for www.momentumsports.co.uk. BREAK IT: Your

the expert advice, you'll leave with a comfortable pair of shoes that will have you running pain- and injury-free.26. Monitor progress with a training logA simple journal offers insight into how far you've come, what's working (and what's not), and keeps you

-distance [half-Ironman] triathlons and three Ironman races before attempting the double.Q: I am a novice training for first IM distance this year. I have heard that it is important to ease off on the bike intensity to save for the run, Do you have any advice

't been told to avoid fast, neutral shoes, consider investing in a pair that you save for races. But avoid a pointless spending splurge by first seeking the advice of a gait expert.The alterativeModify your favourite trainers to make them quicker to pull

is knowing just what to tweak and how to tweak it. This is the challenge we issued to our panel of experts: tell us the little things that will help us train and race smoother, easier and faster. No suggestion is too trivial. Individually, some of these tips