a portion of your mental energy on the present," says Dr Alan Smith, a marathon runner and sports psychologist. "Short-term and even daily goals are beneficial because they keep you focused on the here-and-now and build confidence as you achieve them

goal pace) except for two miles run in the middle of a mid-week four-miler at marathon goal pace. “Even this small amount of goal-pace running is important because it physically and mentally reinforces the pace you want to run on race day,” says Baldaro

Every good marathon-training plan should ‘taper’ during the final two or three weeks. That means you run less and rest more. For some people, the idea of backing off on their training just before the big race seems counter-intuitive. "So many

really pear-shaped.Think Positive: "Second place is not a defeat. It is a stimulation to get better" Carlos Lopes, Olympic marathon gold medallistThe Fear: Not Hitting Time GoalsThe Fix: Tweak Your Targets"Missing goal times is usually the result of a

this week. Almost all running should be at one and a half to two minutes per mile slower than marathon goal pace - except a Tuesday two-miler at marathon goal pace, sandwiched by one-mile jogs. Again, if you want, throw in some quick 100-metre strides after

time goal. Most marathon-training schedules require running five or six days per week, with total mileage of 40 to 60 miles. Two of the most successful training wizards think that's too much for many runners. The marathon-training programme developed

?Instead of resolving to get faster, lose weight, stretch more or run a marathon, try this: swear on last year’s Training Log to achieve the best possible balance in your running. That’s right – balance.-- By taking a balanced approach to training, you can increase your

Kardong, Olympic marathoner and running authorThe Fear: Trail DangersThe Fix: Plan AheadHave you been watching 127 Hours by any chance? Getting in trouble on an out-of-the-way trail is a rare scenario, and self-amputation thankfully rarer still. However

The Fear: Tackling Hard HillsThe Fix: Put it in PerpectiveIn a race, focus on the fact that the hill makes up a tiny percentage of the race distance, advises running coach and  former Boston Marathon winner Lisa Rainsberger. To conquer your dread

time goal. Most marathon-training schedules require running five or six days per week, with total mileage of 40 to 60 miles. Two of the most successful training wizards think that's too much for many runners. The marathon-training programme developed