pressure should be at/or lower than 120/80; HDL (good) cholesterol above 50; LDL (bad) cholesterol lower than 100; triglycerides lower than 150; and blood glucose level lower than 100. Get a check-up (blood test, blood pressure check and a sounding of your

of Running Well (£14.99, amazon.co.uk). "Working backwards from your goal, incorporating all the other stuff in life you have to fit around your training – from kids to work – will help you identify what is realistic in your specific time frame." Get it down

’t find 30 minutes to devote to a run, head out for a quick 10-15 minutes in the morning, then slip in another 10-minute trot later on that evening.Tip from the trenches: “I recently bought my seven-year-old daughter a bike, and she now rides

and health questions. Here are a few of the highlights just for women: My running is dreadful after pregnancy. What now? Sacro-iliac pain after childbirthHow do I help my 10-year-old in his running? You'll also find stacks of useful information in our BIG Q

year, regardless of how hard we train: our age. But thanks to all the health benefits that running brings, you don't need to sweat each time a candle is added to your cake. "There's a big difference between biological age, or how old your body thinks

each year, regardless of how hard we train: our age. But thanks to all the health benefits that running brings, you don't need to sweat each time a candle is added to your cake. "There's a big difference between biological age, or how old your body

, as in lowered mortality and heart-disease risk. Which isn’t to say walking does nothing for you (it does). Running simply does more, as two major studies have proven recently:Regular vigorous activity reduced mortality risk significantly among 17,000 men

and prevention, and a whole section dedicated to schedules for 10K, half-marathon and marathon races, the Guide to Running is full of practical advice that really works. If you want to make the most of your running, this Guide could be all you need.Available from

For an athlete accustomed to exercising outdoors, health clubs and gyms can be mystifying. Follow these three basic tips from exercise scientist Len Kravitz and you'll find that the gym becomes a home from home.Go in with a plan"A lot of people

for cardiovascular fitness development. For example, if you are 40, your estimated MHR would be 180 (ie 220-40). You can then calculate training heart rates from this, using a formula such as 70 per cent MHR (which would be 126).Its quite simple, but unfortunately