It happens to a lot of runners. You set your sights on a big race, log your miles and put your social life on hold, only to run into a roadblock in the last four to six weeks – that ‘monster month' when you're at your peak but still weeks away from

’s not just physically demanding – it can also place a strain on your family life and social life. Even a schedule for a five-hour runner requires that you build up to training five times a week, with long runs of two to three hours on three weekends out

of hard work is enough, and now you deserve a rest. In fact, your body demands it – and what about the family, friends and social life?Just make sure it's a short rest, however, because you now have a tremendous opportunity that you shouldn't waste

straightforward: if you want to run a 3:40 marathon, say, it's a simple calculation to figure out that you need to run 8:23-minute miles to meet your goal. But, just like in other life situations, on the race route, surprises can shred your best pacing plan

seems pretty straightforward: if you want to run a 3:40 marathon, say, it's a simple calculation to figure out that you need to run 8:23-minute miles to meet your goal. But, just like in other life situations, on the race route, surprises can shred

into training and racing, while others inspired by their feats might be taking up running for the very first time. Gather friends and family and enter one of the hugely popular Race For Life 5Ks. You’ll find Race for Life events in every corner of the UK

this approach would help you. As far as little races goes, who cares? If it all goes wrong, you can do another one very shortly. There really are bigger and far more horrible things in life to stress about - just remember that, enjoy your running and be proud

. Enter races, but run them as long runs or as part of your long run. As long as you run at training pace, it’ll teach you to run in a race environment, practice taking drinks and getting used to standing on a start line.Q. I try to do speed work, but I

-up to the race with injury or life getting in the way. It’s important you first have a sensible plan of how you will ‘play’ the event: your pacing, your nutrition and your focus.If you feel shocking towards the end of the event and end up walking

to help you deal with a lake of lactic acid in your leg muscles.8. Learn from poor performances as well as good onesYou may train and plan to have the race of your life but sometimes it’s just not your day. If you do have a disaster, don’t dwell on it