member, or friend, or colleague who’s always worrying about the toll running is taking on your knees, hips, and back. You might even be worried yourself. We all know a few one-time runners forced to become swimmers, cyclists, or power-walkers. We wonder

.Keeping a detailed training log can help you gauge your personal training threshold. Record your weekly mileage and how you feel after your runs. Look for patterns. For instance, you may notice that your knees ache only when you're logging more than 40 miles

:07:14, it was still well outside Paul Tergat's world record of 2:04:55.Waitz didn't know it at the time, but there was a simple reason for her collapse. Her quadriceps muscles – the big group of muscles just above the knee – had been punished beyond their limit by too

, enjoyable (and effective) way to run. It’s worth a try, isn’t it? Amby Burfoot is Editor of Runner's World US.

. “In her first plyometrics work-outs, Deena hit the ground like a flat-footed 15-stone man, but we kept emphasising, ‘get your feet up fast. Get your feet up fast.’ “Drossin did rope skipping, running skipping drills, box jumps and even high-knee

is not recommended for beginners because it puts too much stress on muscles and connective tissues that may not be ready to handle the load. It may also put extra stress on the knees and Achilles tendons. Hill training made its first big impact in the early 1960s

strain on your knees. "Run with your eyes focused about nine feet ahead," says Jane Serues. "Let your arms relax and take a natural, comfortable stride." Whenever and wherever Is there a best time and place to run? Sure: whenever and wherever is most