Standfirst: Author: Steve SmythePics:Issue date: Jul-Sep01Keywords: uan106--The half-marathon is Britains most popular race distance, usually representing around 10 of the top 20 races in Runners Worlds Races of the Year. The event requires a
. The competitive instinct is strong, and fun runs are still races in the minds of many participants. Nevertheless, a fun run is ideal for a first-time competitor, the lowest rung on a ladder that might lead all the way up to the marathon and beyond. Do one or two
tired athletes out. Dividing the training year into periods and switching between high and low intensity training means the body has a better chance to recover between target races. So, just like the rest days in your weekly routine, this vital recovery
Many runners assume that because they run, they don’t need to do leg-strengthening exercises. This isn’t necessarily true. A specific weight programme targeting your legs could reap a huge race dividend, particularly over longer distances. If you run a marathon
Chasing an autumn marathon PB? Make your next race a 13.1-miler. "Doing a shorter race three or four weeks beforehand is very sensible – most experienced runners would run at least one or two as part of their build-up," says endurance coach Nick
comes too, so we sprint when we see a squirrel and we stop when we need a drink from a muddy puddle.However, in opposition to that I'm pretty competitive when it comes to racing and do quite well, except in the marathon. My best half time is 1.28, yet my
Before The MarathonYou have no appetite at breakfast You need to take in 400-600 pre-race calories to replace what your body has burnt since you last ate. Because the marathon starts at 9.30am, some runners find they need to eat at 5.30am; others
ProfileNAME: Stuart TebbuttAGE: 33SUCCESS: ran a sub-4 marathon – 3:44 – at the third attemptHOW HE ACHIEVED IT: Sticking to a programmeStuart Tebbutt (RW member Acer) didn't just crack the four-hour barrier at the 2005 Flora London Marathon – he
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
, then it is possible to get around a marathon but you won't necessarily run it to the same potential or even run the whole way. It depends whether you just want to get round or do it justice. Once you've run a half-marathon the next step should be a 20-mile run or race
