to carrying a backpack with water, gear etc. Recently I developed some lower back pain due to posture; as an asthmatic, I tend to hunch slightly. I've actually found that the pack helps relieve the pain, partly because it makes me brace my shoulders and partly
, or is it OK just to cut back the miles?"I have been running for three-and-a-half years, and the last year has been a bit confusing. In terms of racing it's been a success, but training has been difficult. Normally I train every day (70-80 miles a week
"How soon should I run after I've had a cold? I've always been sporty, but I've only been running seriously for a few months. In the past when I've had colds and coughs, I've often gone back to sport as soon as I've been able to breathe properly
was careful to listen to my body and ease back if I felt tired. – MinksClick here to read the rest of Minks's excellent responseThe advice about running whilst pregnant is very confusing. As with everything to do with children, there are as many answers
sessions were useful for ultra endurance. Obviously you don't run ultras anywhere near threshold, but raising the threshold means you are operating further from it. So even if you work at the same heart rate, you're working at a lower percentage of it
for someone who's only been running for a year, and I wouldn't advise pushing it any higher at the moment. An injury and an enforced break from running at the moment might just tip you back into a spiral of dysfunctional eating and despair, and nobody wants
with you, and don't push it too hard.– Mike Saunders(Note from Jane: asthma is no bar to running, if Paula Radcliffe is anything to go by! Click here to find out what she told us about controlling her asthma back in September)Encourage him, but don't overdo
was hooked instantly and have been wearing them full-time since. – VelociraptorI eventually caved in and got daily disposable contact lenses. This was after (1) a 10K race chosen solely because it was in an area I knew from years back, and wanted to see again
means not only less shock to the tissue of the lower legs, but also less energy used for a given distance. Less energy used means more in the tank and thus more speed. I am definitely quicker now for a given amount of perceived effort. However it depends
flexibility seems to help, too. A few minutes calling psoas (lower abs) and other core muscles to attention helps too. Stepping on spiky balls before putting trainers on is also a good one – I find it helps wake my feet up. I guess the most important thing
