initially unfolded according to plan. I hit the halfway point at 2:27:32, right on target. At mile 15, I was still there. By mile 17, I was three seconds off the pace, but still hopeful, even though I was beginning to feel the signs of impending disaster

on running, my pace and stamina improved dramatically. 6. Don’t suffer more than you have toThe first race I ever trained for was the Flora London Marathon. Between mid-February and the end of April I was doing weekend runs of between 12 and 20 miles. For two

Extract from No Need For Speed by John Bingham (Rodale International Limited, £8.99). To order direct from Runner's World for the special price of £7.99 (inc P&P), call 0800 731 0622 and quote 55174-0.Those who know me well know that I enjoy

. What makes him special is that he understands he’s not special. He never forgets that he’s just another runner at the back of the pack.”Accepting the mike from Herman, Bingham feigns insult. “I’ll have you know I’ve run 30 marathons, and my PB is 2:31:20

.Maybe you feel the same. And really, even if you’re a highly competitive runner who trains hard and races every weekend, you still depend on those easy days to be just that: easy. Whether you are running purely for health and fitness or are gunning

responds to endless questions and really inspires us to carry on when we feel like giving up.”Phil Wilson, 36, from Nottingham — sheet metal workerWhile the running has been going well for Wilson – he is doing 12-15 miles a week – kicking his smoking habit

."NUTRITIONPass on the extra carbsBread, bagels, pasta, potatoes and pancakes - you just can't get enough, right? Wrong, says sports nutritionist Nancy Clark, author of Nancy Clark's Food Guide for New Runners (£12.95, Meyer & Meyer Sport). Running two or three miles