. During your second run you should get a higher maximum reading than with any other method – although you or a helper should use a heart rate monitor to take readings throughout the interval, because your pulse may peak before the finish.

Gone are the days when runners would rate our efforts based on the colour of their cheeks after a run. Heart-rate monitors are now so easy to use, affordable and accurate that there's no excuse for skipping the science bit in your training. Most

When Runner's World readers were asked to list their essential kit last year, heart-rate monitors came out on top. Unfortunately for the female runner, using a heart-rate monitor is usually an uncomfortable experience, requiring 10 minutes before

By using a heart rate monitor while you train, you'll know exactly what impact your workout is having.Unlike trying to judge your own efforts, your heart rate is a completely objective measure of how hard you're working, so you'll be able to fine

information to be useful for runners who simply fancy giving heart-rate monitoring a go. It has a simple stopwatch – start, stop and no lap function – but you can keep a check on your current heart rate, your maximum and your average

though, it does the basics well enough.Contact www.timex.comTimex BodyLink Trail Runner £180 Tested by Big KevFeatures Simultaneous display of heart rate and speed distance, 2 linked interval timers, latitude, longitude and altitude, navigation

’s still packed with all the features that made the 305 great: it monitors your time spent running, distance, pace, calories and heart rate, and your runs can be stored in the memory, so you can review and analyse the data and the routes you’ve taken later

training tips from the Runner's World Training forum - posted by runners just like you. There's advice for everyone: slow runners, speedsters, newbies, seasoned marathoners and more. (However, if you're a complete beginner, try our 50 Best Beginners Tips

Liverpool 10K, Merseyside(10/8/06)7591%63 ratings274Barretts Canterbury 10 Mile, Kent(1/29/06)7590%26 ratings275Run for the Children - Regents Park, London(4/26/06)7590%20 ratings276Tamworth Heart Runners 10K, Staffordshire(2/19/06)7590%81 ratings277Cardiff

to it than that." - Kirsty B99100%26 ratings5The Easy Runner Sodbury Slog,South Gloucestershire (11/11/07)"The fact I was overtaken by a man dressed as a banana didn't matter. What a right laugh it was. When can I register for next year?" - Natalie Smith