At some point early on, a beginner learns that 99.9 per cent of runners are pleasant, helpful people.This realisation usually dawns when a beginner meets a veteran at a race or on a training run, and theveteran starts sharing his or her enthusiasm

stock-market fall when interest rates rise. And no athlete is immune – not even the most experienced and successful. That’s why reviewing the basics can always give you a boost.Of course, beginners have an even greater need to follow these rules

by watching TV. As for finding places to run, anywhere that’s safe for walking is also fine for running. Off-road routes (parks, bike paths, playing fields) are better than busy streets, and soft surfaces (grass and dirt) are better than paved ones, but any

eventually add hills to a programme as you advance beyond the beginner stage, start with some slight inclines; save the mountains for the future. Be particularly careful to avoid pounding on the descents. As with flat running, hills that feature grass

of it as the time you won’t waste by watching TV. As for finding places to run, anywhere that’s safe for walking is also fine for running. Off-road routes (parks, bike paths, playing fields) are better than busy streets, and soft surfaces (grass and dirt) are better