Q. Im a fairly strong runner with a recent 5K PB of 16:32, but I have trouble with the last mile of that distance. I always have to slow down at the end of the race, even though I try not to start out too fast. Can you recommend any racing strategies to help me stay more consis...
Q. Whenever I race, I find that I feel sluggish during the first few miles. Can you give me some tips to speed me up during the all-important opening section of a race? A. The first thing you need to look at is your pre-race warm-up. If you dont warm up and get yourself ...
Q Im very new to running, but I love it. It makes me feel great. However Im worried that my running style is all wrong. I seem to bob up and down when I run with more upward than forward momentum. Ive been told to think form, but what is good running form? A Its wonderful...
Q I want to add some fartlek sessions to my training regime, but Im not sure how to go about it. How hard, and over what distance, should I push on the quick bits? How easy, and how long, should my recoveries be? A A fartlek session can be either the easiest or hardest thing y...
Q Im in my mid-40s, push myself quite hard in training, and feel great and in good shape. However, after buying a heart rate monitor, I was shocked to find that my resting heart rate was 46, and that I could reach a maximum of 202bpm during hard efforts. Is this safe, or am I p...
Q Following your advice, I did a treadmill test using a heart rate monitor to work out my maximum heart rate. The result was 177bpm. However, during 40-minute steady runs my pulse easily reaches 165bpm, about 94 per cent of max! Am I training too hard? (It doesnt feel like it.)...
Q Ive been trying threshold running, using a heart rate monitor and keeping my mile pace at 10 seconds below my 10K race pace. However, I struggle to maintain this speed, even though my HRM says Im working at just 60 per cent of my predicted maximum of 170 (220-50, my age). Th...
Q. I train four to five times a week, including hills and a couple of interval sessions. However, each time I increase my training, by even a modest distance or pace, my muscles are too stiff and sore to undertake the next days session. What can I do?A. You need to ask yoursel...
Q In the last 18 months, Ive run three marathons. As a result, though, my times have gone backwards for 10K and half-marathon. I thought that all the training Ive been doing would make me faster what am I doing wrong?A Firstly, you need to ask yourself whether youve fully ...
Q Ive been running for just over a year now and can now comfortably train at around 10 minute/mile pace for an hour, which I do three times a week. However, Ive been doing this for at least six months and dont seem to be able to get any quicker. Id like to do some speedwork,...
