-proof. The running involved a couple of fast but short (up to seven-mile) runs per week, a hill session running up really slowly and down really fast, and a long run with a backpack, including short frequent walk breaks. It worked. – RespectTheStupidityI think speed

if RW readers could settle a hot debate in our club about speed work. Our head coach is suggesting a session for endurance athletes, as follows: Small warm up and stretch, then speed work (eg 2x5x100m), then straight into the car and drive home without a

generally get my athletes to run at least a mile before doing dynamic stretches, then running drills before each training session. For recovery runs you don't really need to do this, as the first part of the run should be nice and steady, but for harder

black coffee before training in the morning. Training on empty helps promote fat-burning metabolism to kick in – and minimises the need for a mid-session loo! – Slow-coachI can't leave the house before a long run/race (10 miles plus) without having my

. Every week I do one 15-mile hilly run, one 10-mile hilly run, one 40-min speed session, one 4-mile fast run and two 6-mile runs. I used to suffer from an eating disorder and have always been a size 8. Running is helping me with recovery mentally, but I

on who you are. I think some runners waste their time having rest days. If your upper-body weights days leave you feeling buoyant, cheerful and ready to go the next morning, it probably works perfectly well as rest. Even I can manage a couple of sessions

you want to. – Plodding HippoVariety is the keyI started three years ago on treadmills, but it's nothing like running outside. Now I find a treadie hard to bear. Also try a combination of other things, like club track sessions for building speed

going – forget pace and speed. Once you can run 3 miles, build one run up to 4 miles running all the way... once you start getting your head to see you're not going to walk you'll soon get results. – EgglettSlowing down can work as a breakIt took me a

-week, so will my skinful do my marathon prep serious harm?"– Martin PaceYour best answersShouldn't be a problem, unless...The effects of a hefty binge-drinking session should be well out of your system a week later, and your marathon performance is only

on the back)? Why don't runners who feel the need to do this just run a training session faster...? I've never heard of an elite athlete saying that this type of weight training has contributed to their success. It's almost exclusively men that do it, so