part) of the shoe, adding stretch panels and clever lacing, manufacturers hope to give a more secure, friction-free feeling as you run, improving your perception of the ride. Of course, no two runners are the same and the only sensible way to choose a

success as registering on time and doing up your laces.But while those are things to do on the day, the time to start forming your mid-run habits is a long time before you're limbering up on the start line. It should start now.Wall To Fall

, stop once every 15 minutes and tighten your shoe laces. It may sound silly, but forcing yourself to stop at regular intervals keeps the pace from becoming faster and faster. Use the stops to remind yourself to run easy. As an added bonus, you'll improve

athletes or simply running to stay fit. You feel stale and discouraged. The alarm clock chirps at 6 am, but you know you’re not going to pull your body out of bed. You come home from work shattered, and you know that you aren’t going to lace up your shoes

fancy a trip to the south coast for a sea-front half-marathon you'll be warmly-cheered on by two Elvis impersonators. Of course that's not the only reason to enter online and lace up.With the course set along the impressive sea

morning the natural lanolin will have soaked into the fabric of the sock. Presto! No more blisters. Two drawbacks: first catch your lamb. Second if you own a border collie it'll keep rounding your socks up! See full threadLaces - pain on bridge of foot

layers of fabric, is on the outside. Montrail says this makes it completely waterproof and more breathable. The laces are covered by a zip collar and a neoprene gaiter attaches to it.Nike Air Storm Beacon – £65What is it? A stability shoe designed

scenic course, littered with rolling hills.Wimbledon Premier 10K (London, March 26) Held twice a year, in spring and autumn, this town-centre 10K is a great excuse to lace up your running shoes. Run on parkland and roads, it races through Wimbledon

, stick with Nike+ shoes if you follow Nike’s recommendation. Our initial tests suggest that you can fix the little Nike+ footpod under the laces of any shoe and get a reading that’s similar to the ‘official’ one. Watch this space for more testing.The free

350gThe big sell with this sturdy shoe is the fit. The Twin Lace System, which adjusts separately at the top and bottom of the shoe, is connected to an internal web which runs right through the shoe. Our tester was impressed with the snug, supportive