seconds, walk until they feel recovered, then repeat the process for 20-30 minutes. This system has proved successful a thousand times over. When world-class runners peak for the Olympics, they concentrate on ‘interval’ training – the still

suggest interval distances, times and recoveries. And if you cross-train, you can keep records and follow separate plans for different activities. You can also periodically use the software to perform automatic Conconi tests to reassess your thresholds

and sluggish. But if you’re constantly suffering these peaks and troughs, it could be that you aren’t resting enough. Rest is a critical part of any training programme. The real gains in speed and strength don’t come during a hill or interval session

with lactic acid build-up when running faster. I do pyramid sets of intervals on an undulating running route of about seven miles. After a 10-minute warm up, do a one-minute interval at race pace or 70-80 per cent of your maximum pace, recover for 60

out while your face is under the water and breathe in when you turn your head.Session 2: IntervalsInterval training is a great way to get more out of your time in the water. The aim of an interval session is to swim at race pace or faster over

comfortable - anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes. Once you can walk for 30 minutes easily, sprinkle one- to two-minute running intervals into your walking. As time goes on, make the running intervals longer, until you are running for 30 minutes straight. Beginner

, they’ll help you predict what you should be capable of. Classically, you build up to running the race distance at race pace during training, but broken up into intervals. The longer the event, though, the harder it is to achieve the full race distance

that involves a job and a family.The main ingredients of the programme are repetition and interval running, but with an emphasis on continuous, fast-paced runs to build up your speed endurance. Thus, much of your steady running should be at around threshold pace

times, and average heart rate for each lap. You can also expect a countdown timer for repeated intervals (useful for speedwork sessions). For just a little more money, you’ll usually be able to set multiple target training zones. In addition, footpods

’s more, you have a great endurance base which can be used as a platform for your next venture, provided that you give yourself time to recover after a marathon. Six weeks is the minimum interval between marathon-type efforts because you need at least two