, but the type of fluid you are taking in is critical – you need to use an isotonic drink. If the fluid doesn’t replace the electrolytes lost during prolonged exercise, the muscle loses its natural chemical balance, which can lead to cramps. Although immediate

of the femur.Over the long term, these problems will tend to increase patello-femoral wear, and can lead to further injury without proper treatment. Seek the advice of a chartered physiotherapist. They can tell you what stretches and exercises may be required

and the absorption of fluid – leaving you feeling bloated. It is vital to ensure that you do not lose too much fluid. But taking on too much can cause water intoxication (hyponatraemia). In extreme cases this can lead to foaming at the mouth, nausea, vomiting

that the body has to produce more insulin to regulate blood glucose levels. Insulin resistance has detrimental effects on the body, and can even lead to diabetes. This said, the true extent of syndrome X is not known, and the scientific jury is still out on its

be regarded as normal. For those who have to work and run, a good rule of thumb is, “One day off a week, one weekend off a month, and one month off a year”. If you have a planned training period of 8-10 weeks leading up to a big race, you can then carry

. And with the soup drunk and your body feeling thoroughly refreshed, the race leaves the park and leads back into town, via the old college buildings, and ends with a downhill finish.What the organiser says: “This increasingly popular event attracts runners from

burial place in the local churchyard. A steep descent out of the village will start you on the return leg with a second drinks station near Alveston Pastures. With just over 1km to go, a short incline leads up to Croft School on the right, before

heavy alcohol consumption leads to fat accumulation around the middle. Women should drink no more than one drink daily, and men should limit themselves to two drinks per day.Stay fit Studies show people lose specifically from their waist when exercise

, increase your urine output (cold-induced diuresis) and, along with additional layers of clothing (particularly waterproof gear), can lead to significant sweat losses. Sweat losses of as much as one litre per hour are not uncommon when training in the cold

is one way the body absorbs shock, but too much or too little can lead to aches and pains. Taking a wet test will help diagnose your foot type and determine which shoes are likely to provide the appropriate arch support. Once you know this, you can