Q During a recent race, while I was running very comfortably, my heart rate suddenly shot up to nearly 40 beats above my usual level and remained there for the rest of the run. At no time did I feel ill or even out of breath, but understandably I was worried. Ive since seen my ...
Q I know that long runs should be run slower than race pace, but can you explain why. I want to race at eight minute/mile pace at next years Flora London Marathon, so surely I should train at that pace? Also, if I run a half-marathon in January, can I use it to predict my marat...
Q. Im a novice runner and I am working my way up to 30 minutes of running at 12-minute/mile pace. I plan to stick at 30 minutes for one month, then start adding some speed before a 5K. What would be the best speedwork for me?A. Begin your speedwork by warming up with 10 minute...
Q How do speed sessions benefit me? I’ve tried things like 400m repetitions at 5K pace, but as I never seem to be out of breath at the end of the session, surely they’re not doing me any good?A Many people think that they only need to do interval sessions to improve their outri...
Q How do I fit running around my job as a fitness instructor? I take several classes every weekday, except Thursday, and find it really hard to fit in more than two or three 40-minute runs a week. I really want to run a half-marathon, but how can I make the best of my time?A Al...
Q. In my time as a runner, Ive run seven marathons, and now I want to train for an ultra-distance trail run of 50K (just over 30 miles). How should I modify my marathon training to prepare for the longer race?A Assuming that your seven marathons have gone smoothly, the move up ...
Q. I really enjoy half-marathons and long runs, but rather than step up to a marathon Ive decided to go to an extreme and attempt to run from John OGroats to Lands End (the JOGLE) next August. If I do, Id like to cover 40 miles a day. Is this realistic, and what sort of train...
Q Is it true that a person will use the same amount of calories over a given distance regardless of how fast or slow they run? My theory is that two runners with an identical metabolic rate would use the same number of calories over a set course.A The rate at which our bodies b...
Q Having passed 40, Im finding it difficult to shed unwanted pounds. Ive picked up my training but nothing is moving! Ive just purchased a heart rate monitor, with the intention of zone-targeting for weight loss. What is the best way to burn fat? Do I go long and slow, or shou...
Q At my best I am your average physical wreck of a 40-year-old, looking to get fit. I’ve quit smoking, and I want to reach a level of fitness higher than I’ve had at any age. So I’ve started running to lose some weight. I’m finding it hard, I only manage a short distance, and to...
