Your feet take 18,000 steps every day on average. When you run you'll add to that figure, as well as the amount of perspiration produced by the 250,000 sweat glands on each foot. With stresses like that it's no wonder your feet complain from time

become part of running folklore. Race website: www.comrades.comSpar/Mercury Women’s 10K, Durban (June)2009 Date: tbc This is one of six in a national series of women’s 10K races, and by far the biggest of the series. Around 16,000 women – and a few cross

in 3:30, for example, at a rate of 180 steps a minute, during the entire race you will take 37,800 steps. Stronger leg muscles allow you to spend less time on the ground with each foot-strike and increase your stride length.A reduction of just 0.02 of a

might think the average temperature of minus 20 degrees C and strong katabatic winds will be the biggest challenge, but the altitude of 10,000 feet and hilly course play their part too in making this a truly tough event. Run at 80 degrees south, just a

for the third consecutive year in 2010 completing the total distance in 19:55:08, has won four MdS titles. The most successful British competitor is double Olympic gold medalist James Cracknell who finished 12th in 2010. You may have seen the documentary aired

that the only way is up.Stronger For LongerHill running offers a great total-body workout that will protect against stresses and strains. "I pick up fewer injuries when I train on hills," says Angela Mudge, Buff Skyrunner World Champion in 2006 and 2007. "The

you will take 37,800 steps. Stronger leg muscles allow you to spend less time on the ground with each foot-strike and increase your stride length.A reduction of just 0.02 of a second in the time on the ground per foot-strike translates into running a

problems in your back, they often come to the surface when you start running because it is quite a compressive sport,” says Leach. “You need to make sure the biomechanics of your lower back are working at 100 per cent.” If there are mechanical weaknesses

to reduce back pain – www.backcare.org.uk 020 8977 5474The Pain Society; Information on pain management clinics, 020 7631 8870Pain Relief Foundation; Information on chronic pain, 0151 523 1486Chartered Society of Physiotherapy; 020 7306 6620British

phases.Back-to-back classes may build endurance, but watch out for dehydration and drink plenty before, during and after classes.Practise pedalling in circles, not just stomping on the pedals. Pull back slightly with your foot at the bottom of the stroke