Getty ImagesThe road to marathon success is never smooth and problem-free. Every runner, from first-timer to marathon veteran, hits a hurdle or two while preparing for the marathon: an injury, a cold, an unexpected extra project at work. If things

It's a creeping dread for many triathletes. You run and run and run and then you slowly, reluctantly accept that you've stopped improving. And you know that if you push yourself any harder you're going to pick up an injury.Or perhaps you're already

Standfirst: The focus of weeks 13-15 of your 15-week scheduleAuthor:Pics:Issue date: Feb-May01 / xref Ultimate schedsKeywords:uan126-->In weeks 13-15... you taper… and race!You’ve done nearly all the hard work now – after your final long run in Week

When you're sidelined by injury your natural reaction should be to cut back on calories until it's time to return to training - and burning energy. But the healing process demands fuel, too. "It's like fixing a house," says sports dietitian Cynthia

Standfirst: 4 surefire stride-improvers for mile racingAuthor: Sean Fishpool and Steve SmythePics:Issue date: aug01 /mile panelKeywords:uan59-->There’s more to running than running, as any tuned-in coach will tell you. That’s especially the case

to follow your current schedule. If you couldn’t race or have missed training through illness and injury: While this is the most important part of the schedule, don’t run through illness or injury and be sensible when you resume training. If you have missed

in soggy shoes.If your race stretches into the night, you'll need to light the way. Invest in an LED headtorch plus another torch for extra depth perception.Avoiding injury If you're on your feet all day – or even all week – you need to stop injuries

in an injury. My current routine of two three-milers a week, has led to a 50-minute 10K PB: isn’t this enough to break four hours?A Many runners have achieved good marathon times off relatively low mileage, while some feel that they can’t function properly

your body to go at race pace without risking injury.Phase 3: Anaerobic action Race day's getting closer, so put fire in your belly and speed in your legs with short, sharp sprints that simulate racing. Carry on with the tempo runs, but as you take

However long you've been running, and whatever your age or ambition, chances are you'll have questions. How can you improve your race times? What's the perfect race day diet? How can you avoid overtraining? Well, now you can pose your questions