Q Is it true that a person will use the same amount of calories over a given distance regardless of how fast or slow they run? My theory is that two runners with an identical metabolic rate would use the same number of calories over a set course

scribblings. And who knows? Perhaps they will trigger in him the blinding supernova of enlightenment, and my suffering will not have been for nought.You see, my metabolism has gone into reverse.I first noticed it about a month ago. My training for the Jordan

published in 2004 with the title "Biochemistry of Exercise-Induced Metabolic Acidosis," Professor Robert Robergs from the University of New Mexico makes a strong case that lactic acid has been hopelessly misunderstood. "If muscle did not produce lactate

. "Everyone who does tempo runs diligently will improve." However, you also have to be diligent about doing them correctly.Why the Tempo WorksTempo running improves a crucial physiological variable for running success: our metabolic fitness. Most runners

every few minutes as you're running, to get a general idea of your rate throughout the session. You will probably find that, even if you maintain the same pace throughout, your heart rate will rise by 5-10 beats over a period of 30 minutes

often see round figures quoted in general guides, ranging from 70-90 per cent of MHR. Unfortunately, the reason they’re so vague is that – as we’ve found out – we’re all different.In the early days, you’d have needed a physiological lab test to find

(running at your maximum aerobic steady state) is beneficial because you’re working at what is supposed to be the optimal training intensity for endurance sport. If you work too hard, you risk too great a contribution of anaerobic metabolism to the energy

It's unlikely that your club will hire a gritter lorry if its Tartan track succumbs to black ice, but speedwork doesn't necessarily mean a track session. You can take some of your favourite track sessions on to the road. In general, this means running for time

muscles open full-bore, and the metabolic fires within the muscles burn more intensely. In addition, your cardiovascular system ‘fine-tunes’ itself, shunting extra blood to the skin (to enhance cooling) and decreasing flow to those areas which don’t help

coffee with your coach or a training partner. It reminds you of how much you have done, how prepared you are and that you are ready. Then close the diary and stop worrying. Run easy the day before the race. It keeps your legs loose and metabolism higher