Life, I have concluded, is more like a fartlek session than a marathon. It jogs along for years at a steady pace then it passes the second lamppost after the church and vroom! its head goes down and suddenly its thundering along at a five
Q Im a 53-year-old male who races all distances from 5K to the marathon. I train six days a week: four hard sessions, two easy ones, plus a rest day. Do you think this is too much for someone of my age?A The real key to making any training programme successful is to get the rig...
Q My road race performances have remained at a similar standard during the past couple of years, and I feel that Im training pretty aimlessly. How can I change my training programme to get a good result this year?A I recommend you focus on one key race, and based on that, orga...
Q I started running two years ago and have increased my half-marathon pace from 9:30 miling to 7:30 miling. I have noticed recently that Im using a longer, slower stride for both speedwork and general training, and my times have remained the same
Q I suspect that Im training too hard on my easy days. How do I know what pace Im supposed to run at on those days, and what is the best way to make sure that I slow down?A Good question. On your easy days, your pulse should rise no higher than 70 per cent of your maximum hea...
Q Is there any way I can use cycling to help with my running? Can it replace speedwork, for instance? I already cycle a hilly eight miles to work every day. Im currently training for a half-marathon, and I run three times a week.A Cycling makes excellent cross-training for run...
Q Each week I do two, one-hour gym sessions where I lift weights and then run around 5K on the treadmill. How can I make the best use of my time on the treadmill? A Assuming that you are well warmed-up from your gym work; you should try to get the maximum value from your treadm...
Q I have an identity crisis. As a keen runner for the last 20 years, I have recently retired, but now I just cannot find the motivation to train properly. I climb into my car rather than my running gear. When I do go out for a run, any uphill stretches are just an excuse to walk...
Q Ive been invited to a party on a Friday night. The problem is that Ive already entered a 10-miler on the following Sunday, and its one Ive trained hard for so that I can get a personal best. Can I drink alcohol on Friday and still run well on Sunday?A Its a dilemma that ...
Q Last year I achieved my marathon PB of 2:53, and immediately started wondering what I should do next. I have run several marathons, but rarely more than two in a season. Id like to do a few shorter runs, but with all the training Im doing it seems a waste not to concentrate ...
